The Theology of ActsThe Theology of Acts

South Florida Bible College & Seminary

© John Stevenson, 2009

The Book of Acts

The Author: Luke– Acts is a sequel.– Luke begins by referencing his first book.– Both books are dedicated to Theophilus.

The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:1-2).

Bridging the Gap

The Gospels

The Epistles

Observations on Acts

• Acts is a book of Victory

• Acts is essentially about the ministries of Peter and Paul– Mistakes and successes– Discouragement and great courage

• Narratives are not necessarily normative

• Preaching in the Book of Acts

• Prayer in the Book of Acts

LukeBegins with an address to most excellent Theophilus

ActsBegins with an address to Theophilus

Announcement made by angel Gabriel

Announcement made by two angels

Begins in Jerusalem Begins in Jerusalem

Birth of Jesus as the Spirit comes on Mary

Birth of the Church as the Spirit comes on believers

There is a movement toward Jerusalem

There is a movement away from Jerusalem

Acts 1:6Acts 1:6And so when they had come

together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

Acts 1:7-8Acts 1:7-8He said to them, "It is not for

you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

Verse 7 Verse 8

Negative emphasized Positive emphasized

It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by

His own authority

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has

come upon you

What will NOT be given to them

What WILL be given to them

Acts 1:7-8Acts 1:7-8He said to them, "It is not for

you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

JerusalemJudea

Samaria

Acts 1:9Acts 1:9And after He had said these

things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Transfiguration Ascension

A cloud A cloud

Disciples saw two men: Moses & Elijah

Disciples see two men in white clothing: Angels

When it was over, only Jesus and the disciples remained

When it is over only the two men and the disciples remain

Acts 1:10-11Acts 1:10-1110 And as they were gazing

intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them.

11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

Do you feel the apostles acted Do you feel the apostles acted appropriately in electing a appropriately in electing a

replacement for Judas Iscariot?replacement for Judas Iscariot?

Should we still be electing apostles today?

Acts 1Acts 1Preparing the way

for the Church

Acts 2Acts 2

Church is born

Christ ascends into Heaven

The Holy Spirit comes from Heaven

Equipped by ChristEmpowered by the

Holy Spirit

Disciples will be witnesses to the ends of the earth

The ends of the earth come to listen

to the Disciples

Acts 2:1-3 Acts 2:1-3 When the day of Pentecost

had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.

The Tabernacle The New Tabernacle

SinaiSinaiExodus 19Exodus 19

Israel came to Mount Sinai

PentecostPentecostActs 2Acts 2

Gathered together in one place

Loud trumpet sound (19:16)

Sound like a violent rushing wind

Smoke of a furnace Tongues of fire

Given the Law Filled with the Spirit

Three thousand are killed by the Levites for having engaged in idolatry (32:28)

Three thousand are made spiritually

alive through faith in Christ

Acts 2:4Acts 2:4And they were all filled with the

Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Elements of Joel’s ProphecyElements of Joel’s Prophecy(Quoted by Peter)(Quoted by Peter)

• God’s Spirit to be poured out.

• Sons and daughters to prophecy.

• Dreams and visions.

• Blood and fire, and vapor of smoke.

• The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood.

• “He shall return” (Acts 1:11).

• The Day of the Lord (Acts 2).

• Times of refreshing (Acts 3:19).

• The fallen tabernacle of David (Acts 15:16).

• He will judge the world (Acts 17:31).

• Resurrection of the righteous and the wicked (Acts 24:14-15).

• Apostles

• Deacons (Acts 6).

• Elders (Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2-6).