Brief background of the book of acts study

The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. In order to ascertain the purpose of the book of acts, we must start with the realization that acts is the second part of a two part work. The main purpose of a summary is as a simplification highlighting the major points from the original and much longer version of the subject. In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. Intro to acts biblica the international bible society. Designed to be used in conjunction with the dvd study, this study guide will help you dig deeper into the study and retain what you have heard. Since luke is the author of acts, any date between ad 60 and 100 is reasonable as conzelmann points out.

In a brief survey of the bible, a 14session dvd study, john walton, professor of old testament at wheaton college, and mark strauss, professor of new testament at bethel seminary san diego, provide participants with an overview of the key themes. It is intended to help you better understand some of the background and issues in lukes second volume. Although many faithful servants were used to preach and teach the gospel of jesus christ, saul, also called paul, was the most influential. At the end of each section is a summary statement 6. A second purpose in writing acts was to give a written defense of christianity. This book of acts bible study pamphlet shows that god is active. Acts summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of acts for bible study or sunday school lessons. Content includes book studies on luke, ephesians, thessalonians, james, 1. Brief summary of acts the kjv bible scriptures the content of acts according to the kjv bible scriptures contains a short overview of the main subjects, people, events and ancient topics in the following summary of the kjv bible scriptures. Acts reveals a progression of the gospel that divides the book into six parts. Prior to that, luke documents many of pauls other imprisonments, trials, persecutions, and various other abuses that he suffered. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Book of acts versebyverse bible study and indepth commentary of the acts of the apostles in plain english for everyone to understand. A small investment in your personal study library will yield rich dividends as you seek to know gods word. This summary of the book of acts provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of acts. Doughty southside christian church january 2014 introduction. Reference to the holy spirit comes in a variety of ways. The book of james a detailed commentary basic training bible ministries page 2 introduction to james background of the book the epistle of james is one. It is the first word of the last book of the new testament, and hence the book is called revelation or sometimes the apocalypse. Introduction to the book of acts acts study guide medium. A third purpose in the writing of acts was to provide stability to the new faith. Paul told these christians from a jewish background everything god had done in his missionary efforts. Author although the author does not name himself, evidence outside the scriptures and inferences from the book itself lead to the conclusion that the author was luke. Today begins a study of the book of acts in this daily bible study series. It might also be called the acts of the holy spirit, as that person of the godhead is very much an active participant throughout the book. Each study is designed to first teach the leaders the passage and then provide them with questions they can use to lead their group through a process of selfdiscovered learning.

Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for. The ending of acts plays an important role in route of determining the books date. In this video i am sharing 6 themes to look for as you read through the book of acts during my summer. Authorship of actsluke is the author of the book acts. Apocalyptic literature often uses symbols and highly charged language to relate the seers heavenly journey and vision of the end. He was also the author of its companion work, the gospel of luke. Some have suggested that a better title might be the acts of the holy spirit. Not long thereafter acts tells of peter and john following in philips footsteps and journeying to samaria for pastoral and investigative reasons, and continuing from there throughout judea. Write the five key words in acts on the board overhead or powerpoint. An outline study of the book of acts by bill jackson pastor, champaign vineyard christian fellowship. The acts of the apostles often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth.

Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. But luke does not document the beheading of paul under caesar nero at the. The story of acts acts covers some of the most important events that occur in the history of the christian tradition. The offering sent by barnabas and saul to the jerusalem elders. Acts 9 background information with maps and images. Group discussion questions and notes to help you get the most out of the fourteen video sessions in a brief study of the bible video study. His story is wholly contained in two chapters in the book of acts, but it provides a glimpse into life in the early church and serves as an example of how our faith in christ can lead to great things.

He was active in the book of acts, and he is active in our lives today. Includes lessons about the kingdom of christ, church organization and worship, examples of conversion, the nature and purpose of miracles, and the work of the holy spirit. Acts was read as a reliable history of the early church well into the postreformation era. Acts ends abruptly with paul imprisoned in rome, waiting to bring his appeal before caesar. The acts of the apostles tell the story of the joy, suffering, and journeys across land and sea of the disciples and early christians. This fantastic bible study pamphlet provides loads of information at a glance. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. Acts is book number 44 of the bible and number 5 of the new testament. Luke is uniformly identified as the author acts by the second century a.

The acts of the apostles, fifth book of the new testament, a valuable history. The book certainly does not tell all the acts of all the apostles. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. The book of acts was written within the lifetime of most of the eyewitnesses of the life, death and resurrection of jesus christ. The book begins with jesus promise of the holy spirit, which is later fulfilled in reference to the jews ch. The emphasis of the book is the fulfillment of the great commission. As mentioned in the origin of the bible, the book of acts is actually a letter.

This seminarylevel study also retains its depth and uses an engaging interactive format. Many people call acts the acts of the apostles, but really, if you want to add to the name acts, perhaps, a better name would be the acts of the early church. The book of acts sheds light on the gift of the holy spirit, who empowers, guides, teaches, and serves as. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul. Discover how all the books of the bible fit together, from genesis to revelation. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. The book of acts ends with paul in house arrest waiting to.

This commentary is based upon my personal devotional notes and reflections on the book of acts. The background of acts third millennium ministries. Luke, the author of the gospel of luke, was a doctor and gentile. As we approach the book of acts, we must always keep in mind that luke wrote out of his background in the old testament and first century beliefs about the kingdom of god in christ. Explore this lesson to find out more about this exciting story. Study guide for acts 21 by david guzik blue letter bible. Rather, the focus is clearly on some of the acts or deeds of mostly peter the key figure in the first half and paul the key figure in the second. A commentary on the acts of the apostles by pastor galen l. An overview of the book of acts, which provides an introduction to the apostles and gives a brief summary of the leaders, peter and paul, as well as the other apostles.

An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. The 12 apostles were jews, uneducated commoners, and simple men of faith who gave up everything to be followers of christ. Besides linking the gospel narratives on the one hand and the apostolic letters on the. In a brief survey of the bible, a 14session dvd study, john walton, professor of old testament at wheaton college, and mark strauss, professor of new testament at bethel seminary san diego, provide participants with an overview of the key themes, events, and characters in the entire bible. M any people who are familiar with the bible are not familiar with stephen who was one of the first deacons in the bible. Well try to put the book of acts in context to prepare us to take on the text. If his case came to court, what better court brief could paul have had than a life of jesus, a history of the.

A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. An overview of each book of the bible and a daily reading plan. The main theological emphasis of the book of acts is the holy spirit. In this book we see the first mention of the dispensation of the holy spirit and jesus command to take his gospel to all the world. Acts 3 background information with maps and images. The book of acts ends just as it begins, emphasizing the apostles role as those who expanded gods kingdom on earth, through their proclamation. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can.

As with the other books of the bible that record history in narrative form, certainly the holy spirit had a historical purpose. Betweensessions scripture passages, reading tips, and key stories to help you dig into the content. This reminds us that the book of acts gives only a partial picture of the early churchs activity. The book begins with the ascension of jesus and goes on through pauls jail time in rome, which opens his ministry to the church at rome. Read an introduction to the book of acts in a study bible, bible dictionary or onevolume commentary you can check out my bible study tools page for some of my best recommendations. In volume ii acts he told the story of the words and works of christ that were done through his apostles. Acts records the apostles being christs witnesses in jerusalem, judea, samaria, and the surrounding world. Luke gives a brief recap of his gospel, then moves on to discuss the.

Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. A bible study lesson series about the beginning of christianity as revealed in the book of the acts of the apostles. Here is a summary and overview of the book of acts. What is usually revealed is some hidden or secret information about the end of time. It is worth noting that in this history of the early christian church, luke. In addition, stephen was also the first martyr of the church. The book of acts gives the history of the christian church and the spread of the gospel of jesus christ, as well as the mounting opposition to it.

Really, very little is written about the apostles in acts. The genre of the book of acts is narrative history with several sermons. Jesus spent three years training these disciples to be leaders. Introduction to the book of acts study resources blue letter bible. Bible study of acts join us for an inspiring study on.