Bible Study 1/30/2025

                                        Introduction to Acts
                                             Bible Study

                                                                        Studying

                                                                      The Power,

                                                                  The Formation,

                                                                   And The Work

                                                                   Of the Church

                                   Mount Olive Baptist Church, Rectortown VA (Nov 21 2024)

                                                  Introduction to the Book of Acts

•I. Style and Challenge
•Peter > The Jews/ Judaism
•Paul > Gentiles/Paganism
•II. Authorship
•Luke (companion to Paul) is generally considered as the primary writer
•Parallels between The Gospel of Luke and Book of Acts
•Concern for those outside of Judaism
•Prominence of women
•Role of the Holy Ghost
•Acts: 16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16; Col 4:14
•III. Date of Authorship – Generally Considered ~60 A.D.
 
Purpose – Account of the Development and Movement of the Early Church – In Four Interwoven Phases
 
•The Movement from Jews to Gentiles
•Outreach to Jews –1:1-8:3
•Outreach to “second-class” Jews such as Samaritans and proselytes 8:4-40
•Outreach to God-fearing Gentiles 9:32-11:18
•Outreach to Gentiles with no connection to Judaism 13:2-21:15
•The Movement from Jerusalem to the Gentile World
•Jerusalem throughout Judea, Samaria and Galilee 1:1-9:31
•Extension to Antioch 11:19-13:1
•Antioch based mission/ministry 13:2-21:16
•Into Rome 21:17-28:31
•Challenges and Development within the Early Church
 
The Establishment of Paul’s role in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles and It’s parallel to Peter’s role to the Jews  
•Jews versus Jewish Christians
•Hebrew Christians versus Hellenistic Christians
•Jewish Christians versus Gentile Christians
•Christians versus Roman authority
 
•The Establishment of Paul’s role in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles and It’s parallel to Peter’s role to the Jews  (Ref: Mark 16:14-18)
•Healing of the lame 3:2-10 / 14:8-10
•Facilitator of miraculous healing 5:15 / 19:12
•Exorcisms 5:16 / 16:18
•Contentions with sorcery 8:18-24 / 13:6-11
•Raising of the Dead 9:36-42 / 20:9-10
•Deliverance from prison 5:19, 12:7-11 / 16:25-26
 
•The Book of Acts records how through the empowerment and guidance of the Holy Ghost, a small group was used to spread the Gospel to the world
 
                                     The Working Church
                               Book of Acts Bible Study #3
 
•Pentecost and Provision (2:1-41; Joel 2)
•The promised Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit/Comforter arrives with the promised power during the Feast of Weeks at the conclusion of the Passover (Deut.16:16).
•God fearing Jews (Galileans and others) (vs 5-7)
•Peters Address (vs 14-37) was given to and international audience and resulted in a harvest of new believers
•OT/NT fulfillment of prophecy (Luke 3:16; Joel 2:28-29)
•Early Proclamation and Understanding of Kingdom of Heaven (vs 40)
 
                      The Working Church
                     Book of Acts Bible Study #3 (Ch. 2:1-41 by the Verses)
 
•v1. Pentecost occurred 50 days after Passover (also called the Feast of Weeks) and 40 days after the Resurrection of Christ
•v2-4.  God’s use of earthly elements (fire and wind).  Luke 3:16, Joel 2:28-30 is Prophecy fulfilled.  Fire symbolizes the purifying and prompting presence of God (Ex 19:16-18, I Kings 18:22-40). Wind for facilitation (I Kings 19:10-13)
•v4-11. The Power of the Holy Spirit manifesting Acts 1:8.
•v12-14. When curiosity presents opportunity (I Peter 3:15).
•v14-40
    •OT prophecies entirely fulfilled by Christ (v14-21
    •Jesus is the Messiah (v25-36)
    •Risen Christ with the Power to change lives (v37-40)