The initial question regards the identity of theophilus, the one for whom the book is written. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. Here are a few of the reasons why actsand thus our study of this bookis so important. Jenna griffin, grove senior acts 18 and acts 1520 nathaniel cantwell, grove sophomore acts 914 and acts 2128.
The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes two. Mar 18, 2017 you dont have to study for the act with a tutoring center if you dont want to, but you should definitely check out your options, like act apps, books, classes, etc. Careseries classes and groups include dinner pizza and salad bar from 5. The acts of the apostles often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. If the book of acts were gone, there would be nothing to replace it the last recorded fact about jesus in the gospel of matthew is the resurrection. He told them that it was not for them to know the times or dates that were in the fathers authority, but told them that they would receive power from the holy spirit to. The book of acts is a vital link between the gospels and the epistles. It triumphed under the rule of the exalted christ and through the power of the holy spirit.
The book of acts contains wonderful bible stories and there are some unique things to watch out for as you read. Careseries is held at crossings community church okc campus, and adult courses are held on the second floor, in the adult education wing, unless otherwise noted. In many ways acts is the most exciting book in the new testament because it is full of movement and interest. A church that spreads a study of acts 28 leaders guide lesson title scripture reference page lesson 1 a church that sends acts. Parsons writes his commentary acts grand rapids, mi. The science of administration is the latest fruit of that study of the science. It is a good idea to read the whole book of acts regularly, perhaps at least once a month. Therefore, when a church begins to dwindle, lose its power, and turn dull and drab in its witness, it needs desperately to get back into the spirit, expectation, knowledge and teaching of the book of acts. Peter was with jesus throughout his entire ministry and was a witness to the baptism, transfiguration, arrest, trial and crucifixion of jesus.
This versebyverse bible study and commentary of the acts of the apostles the book of acts or simply acts is indepth but uses plain language that everyone can understand, as well as a format that will engage you. New testament church growth is fascinating and all too foreign to our modern church experience. Acts of the apostles, the second part of the work that begins with the gospel. We will see many examples of this baptism in the book of acts and will learn much more about it. The book s five fulllength practice tests offer a sufficient amount of practice for most students. The book of acts is a small look into what was done in carrying out that command. The gospel draws people in, constitutes them as the church centered on the grace of jesus, and then sends them out in mission to the world. Demonic forces, worldly powers and authorities, governmental.
As it is expected, the book of acts has a similar literary style as the gospel of luke because it is the second volume of lukes account. Church on fire a sixweek series on the first cycle of acts. Makes up over onefourth of the entire new testament. Bobdeffinbaugh graduated from dallas theological seminary with his th. Specific questions about the readings in the book of acts can be found in the attached study new testament acts study. James, john, peter, and paul are the only ones who appear in any prominence. Commentary on the book of acts bible study notes and comments by david e.
Book of acts read, study bible verses online bible study tools. Each place is located on a map and then we note the people and events associated with that place. Acts is the book that reveals the power of the church. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at jerusalem. This is the third in a series of three smallgroup bible study discussion guides luke 19, luke 1024 and selected portions of acts which explore the meaning of witness. The baptism of the great commission was a command required of all people throughout the whole world. Study the lesson by reading the passage in acts, studying the notes, and studying the other passages of the bible which are cited. What does this passage say about the holy spirit and his attributes. The second is to serve as preparation for urbana96. One is simply to strengthen believers as witnesses to the work and life of jesus, both in history and in their lives. It has the best set of act practice tests you can get anywhere, period. This particular prep book, informally called the red book, is by far the best source of act practice tests. This will give you a good overall view of the events in acts.
Acts of the apostles 4 imprisonment in rome are 6062 a. Classic legal thought usually restricts authority to governmental. Workbook on the book of acts the church of christ in. Outline studies in the book of the acts of the apostles. Acts 1 the books is a special book in the new testament o its the historical account of the apostles and the spread of the church outward from jerusalem following jesus resurrection as many have noted, its probably misnamed its called the acts of. We look at the places mentioned in acts, taking them in alphabetical order. Although it is possible luke wrote at a later date after paul was released, most likely he completed the book while paul was still in prison. The new testament without the book of acts leaves a great yawning gap. Questions in the lessons contain minimal human commentary, but instead guide students to study to understand scripture. Study guide on the book of acts amazon web services. Acts 1 niv bible in my former book, theophilus, i wrote. Standing between the gospels and the epistles, the book of acts is a bridge between the life of jesus and the ministry of the apostle paul.
While there are some areas of great detail of the acts of the apostles, many times you must use cross references to the gospels of matthew, mark, luke and john as well as some other epistles in the new testament to get the full picture of what was. Especially their worship, leadership, sharing, perseverance, and involvement in the great commission. It gives examples of people who were converted to jesus and of. Comparing these passages to acts 1, we can learn that holy spirit baptism and the baptism of the great commission were two separate baptisms. Is it merely that we live in a generation of hard hearted and stiffnecked people, or are there strategies or methods that we are. To equip one another to imitate the role models of the early church. The book of acts is the action book of the new testament, and it constitutes therefore one of the most exciting books of the bible.
As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. It is pathetic to see a whole book written by a german. T he book of acts in the bible, written around 6263 a. We are so confident that our act course is the best around that we offer a 4 point increase guarantee. How did the church grow so quickly and effectively in the book of acts. The importance of the book of acts liberty university. In my former book, theophilus, i wrote about all that jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the holy spirit to the apostles he had chosen. The main issues revolve around whether he is a man perhaps a greek official for whom lukeacts is an apologetic for the gospel or a kind of generic. The book of acts study guide the book of acts class goals. Since the book of acts is the continuation of the gospel account of all jesus began to do and teach, it catalogs what jesus continued to do and teach through the holy spirit. It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel.
How did the residents of jerusalem react to the church. Jul 10, 2014 by the end of the book we see paul living in rome proclaiming the kingdom of god and teaching about the lord jesus christ with all boldness and without hindrance acts 28. The book of acts was written by luke, one of the companions of paul. This would indicate it was matthew, mark, luke, or john. The book of acts does not primarily provide us with human patterns to emulate or avoid. A good bible atlas is an invaluable tool in studying acts especially. Study 1 going through the book of acts words of life.
If the book was just before or after pauls release, then it was likely written around 63 a. The class book material is suitable for teens and adults. The holy spirit is the author of this book, and god is a god of order, so its incumbent upon us to look for that order and understand it o the book of acts has several di. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section.
These studies will be expository, devotional, practical and varied, and this is an introduction to the whole book. In acts, christ had just risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, and given the. Major characters in acts include peter, john, barnabas, james, stephen, philip, saul or paul, dorcas, cornelius, timothy, silas, lydia, aquila and pricilla, and apollos. The jerusalem church date sermon title sermon text oct. On pentecost, the holy spirit descends and confers gods power on them, and peter and john. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. This summary of the book of acts provides information about the title. The full name of it is, the acts of the apostles, but there are not many apostles mentioned in it. To better understand the growth and practices of the new testament church.
The book focuses primarily on the acts of two apostles, peter and paul. While god has sovereignly ordained governmental officials to hold positions of. Kjv the book of acts is the historical link between the. Study the topics in the same way, paying close attention to. The book of acts records the events that made the gospel burst out of its confines in judaism and the city of jerusalem to reach out to the limits of the thenknown world all in just one generations time. Acts and the epistles bible study questions and commentary. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting. The life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles.
Most scholars believe he wrote the book no later than about 60 a. Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. Bob is a pastorteacher and elder at community bible chapel in richardson, texas, and has contributed many of his bible study series for use by the foundation. 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. You dont have to study for the act with a tutoring center if you dont want to, but you should definitely check out your options, like act apps, books, classes, etc. In acts, the gospel expands not through human strength, but through weakness, opposition, and persecution. The book of acts is the record of that commission beingcarried out. Designed for individuals and small groups alike, this 12week study through the book of acts explores the history of the early church after christs ascension. The books five fulllength practice tests offer a sufficient amount of practice for most students. While there are some areas of great detail of the acts of the apostles, many times you must use cross references to the gospels of matthew, mark, luke and john as well as some other epistles in the new testament to get the full picture of what. Since each test takes at least four hours to complete and. Brought again before the court, peter leads the apostles in their defense, saying, we must obey god rather than any human authority 5. Luke is giving an account of the salvation of the gentiles to theophilus, a gentile convert.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. This workbook on the acts of the apostles was designed for use in bible classes, family study, or personal study. Acts facts people, places, and verse by verse study. The acts of the apostles is the historical account of the initiation of this process. Introduction to the book of acts study resources blue letter bible. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24. There has been much debate as to the purpose of acts. It is a bridge between the gospels and the epistles. There are different ways to divide the book of acts. Purpose of the book as indicated previously, the original purpose of both the gospel and acts may have been to assist.
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