There is a short introduction available for the book of Acts. You can read it here.
Key Themes (Acts)
The book of Acts, also known as the Acts of the Apostles, is the fifth book of the New Testament and serves as a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, written by the same author. Acts chronicles the early history of the Christian church, focusing on the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth through the work of the apostles, particularly Peter and Paul. The key themes include:
- The Spread of the Gospel and the Growth of the Church: A central theme in Acts is the rapid spread of the Gospel message and the growth of the early Christian church. Beginning in Jerusalem, the Gospel spreads throughout Judea, Samaria, and to the Gentile world, fulfilling Jesus’ command to be His witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This theme highlights the dynamic and expansive nature of the Christian mission.
- The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in Acts, empowering the apostles and early Christians to preach the Gospel, perform miracles, and guide the church. The book begins with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which marks the birth of the church and the beginning of its mission. This theme emphasizes the Holy Spirit as the driving force behind the spread of Christianity and the source of power for believers.
- The Inclusion of the Gentiles: Acts details the expansion of the Gospel beyond the Jewish community to include Gentiles, marking a significant development in the early church. The conversion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and the subsequent acceptance of Gentile believers without requiring them to follow Jewish law, illustrates the theme of the inclusivity of the Gospel. This theme reflects the breaking down of ethnic and cultural barriers in the Christian community.
- Persecution and Suffering for the Faith: Throughout Acts, the apostles and early Christians face significant opposition, persecution, and suffering for their faith. Despite these challenges, they remain steadfast in their mission, often experiencing God’s miraculous deliverance. This theme highlights the cost of discipleship and the resilience of the early church in the face of adversity, as well as God’s faithfulness in sustaining His people.
- The Apostles’ Witness and Preaching: Acts emphasizes the bold witness and preaching of the apostles, particularly Peter and Paul, as they proclaim the resurrection of Jesus and the message of salvation. The apostles’ sermons in Acts often center on Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, His death and resurrection, and the call to repentance and faith. This theme underscores the importance of preaching and teaching in the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the church.
- The Unity and Community of Believers: The early Christian community in Acts is characterized by unity, sharing, and mutual support. Believers regularly gather for prayer, fellowship, and the breaking of bread, and they share their possessions to ensure that no one among them is in need. This theme highlights the communal aspect of the Christian faith, where believers are called to live in harmony, support one another, and bear witness to the love of Christ through their actions.
- God’s Sovereignty in the Spread of the Gospel: Acts repeatedly shows that God is sovereignly guiding the spread of the Gospel, directing the apostles’ missions, and opening doors for the message to reach new people and places. Whether through visions, divine interventions, or the outworking of circumstances, God’s hand is evident in the unfolding of events. This theme emphasizes that the growth of the church and the spread of the Gospel are ultimately the result of God’s will and power.
- The Role of Leadership and Apostolic Authority: Acts emphasizes the importance of leadership and apostolic authority in the early church. The apostles, particularly Peter and Paul, play key roles in guiding the church, making decisions, and addressing challenges. The Jerusalem Council, where the apostles and elders address the question of Gentile inclusion, is a key example of their leadership. This theme underscores the significance of godly leadership in maintaining the church’s unity and faithfulness to the Gospel.
- The Mission to the Ends of the Earth: Acts portrays the Christian mission as a global endeavor, with the Gospel being taken to all people, regardless of background or location. Paul’s missionary journeys, which take him across the Roman Empire, illustrate the far-reaching nature of the mission. This theme highlights the universal scope of the Gospel and the church’s responsibility to spread the message of Jesus to every corner of the world.
- The Resurrection of Jesus as the Foundation of Faith: Throughout Acts, the resurrection of Jesus is central to the apostles’ message. The resurrection is presented as the foundation of Christian faith, the proof of Jesus’ divine identity, and the basis for the hope of eternal life. This theme emphasizes the importance of the resurrection in Christian theology and its role in motivating the early church’s mission.
The book of Acts is a dynamic account of the early church’s mission, emphasizing the power of the Holy Spirit, the inclusivity of the Gospel, and the resilience of believers in the face of persecution. Through its themes of witness, leadership, community, and the global mission of the church, Acts provides a model for Christian life and ministry, showing how the early believers carried out Jesus’ Great Commission and how the Gospel continues to spread across the world.
What I Noticed Today (Acts 1-3)
Acts 1
In verses 1-3, Luke refers to his gospel, which was also addressed to Theophilus, continuing the account where he left off in Luke 24.
Note: We do not know a lot about Theophilus. His name means “lover of God” or “loved by God.” He apparently was a Roman official, a Christian, and someone Luke had instructed in the gospel.
In verses 4-8, while Jesus was still with the disciples, He promised they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them while they were in Jerusalem. After that, they were to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Note: The phrase “you will be My witnesses” is a future tense imperative, meaning a command that will be executed in the future and will be ongoing.
In verses 9-11, after Jesus had said this, He ascended into heaven. While they were watching Jesus ascend, two men dressed in white appeared saying Jesus would come again in the same way you have seen Him go to heaven.
Note: Jesus’ return, in the same way, means He will return physically, in a cloud from heaven that everyone can see (Revelation 1:7) to the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4).
In verses 12-14, the eleven disciples returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. They went to the upper room and prayed along with the women who had been following Jesus, his mother, and His brothers.
Note: A Sabbath Day’s walk is about 3,000 feet or just over ½ mile.
Note: Jesus’ brothers are listed among those in prayer with the disciples. Jesus’ resurrection may have led to their conversion, and if so, represents the only recorded appearance of Christ to unbelievers after His resurrection.
In verses 15-26, Peter stepped forward in the crowd of 120 believers to remind them that one of their number (Judas) was unrighteous and died in a field named the “Field of Blood.” He quoted from Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8 to say they must replace him. Two names were suggested. The disciples prayed and cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias, so he was numbered among the apostles.
Note: Judas’ death, described in Matthew 27:3-8, says Judas hung himself. Luke’s account says Judas fell; he split open, and his insides spilled out. Both accounts are likely correct: Judas hung himself, then after some time the rope gave way, he fell to the ground, and due to decomposition, he split apart just as Luke described.
Acts 2
In verses 1-13, Luke describes the infilling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
The day of Pentecost had arrived, and all the apostles were gathered together.
Note: Pentecost (also called the Feast of Weeks) followed the Feast of Firstfruits by 49 days. “Pentecost” is a Greek derivation, which means 50 because Pentecost was celebrated the 50th day after the Feast of Firstfruits.
Suddenly, a sound like a rushing wind filled the house, and tongues like flames of fire touched on each of the apostles. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages as the Spirit gave them the ability.
Note: The Greek word for “languages” (some translations say “tongues”) is dialecto, which means real languages, not excited utterances. The word for excited utterances is glossias.
A crowd of people who heard this gathered around and heard the apostles, all Galileans, speaking in their own languages: Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, and Rome. Jews and proselytes, Cretans, and Arabs all heard the acts of God. But some rejected what they heard saying the apostles must be drunk.
In verses 14-40, Peter preached his first sermon to the other apostles, men of Judah, and residents of Jerusalem, which depict Jesus as the Messiah and Lord.
- In verses 15-21, Peter quotes Joel 2:28-32, stating that what has happened is a fulfillment of prophecy.
- In verses 22-32, Peter calls on the men of Israel to listen. He proclaims Jesus as Messiah and as proof offers up His works and describes His death on the cross and His resurrection. Peter quotes Psalm 16:8-11, in which David describes the Messiah as one who will not see decay. God resurrected Jesus, and we are all witnesses.
- In verses 33-36, Peter describes Jesus as the glorified Messiah and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit (quoting Psalm 110:1).
- In verses 37-40, the crowd is convicted, and Peter says they must repent and be baptized into the name of Jesus Christ. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Note: Verse 38 has some interpretive difficulties. The way it is written, it seems like repentance and baptism are required for the forgiveness of sins, but this does not align with the balance of scripture (including Peter’s), which states that the remission of sin comes from faith and faith alone. The phrase “repent so that your sins may be forgiven” is plural. Whereas, the phrase “be baptized” is a singular imperative. The best interpretation then is to consider the phrase “and be baptized,” as a parenthetical comment.
In verses 41-47, that day, about 3,000 became believers as a result of Peter’s sermon. They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching, to fellowship, to breaking bread together, and to prayer.
The believers were together and held things in common. They sold possessions and distributed them to those in need. They met every day in the temple complex and broke bread from house to house. Every day the Lord added to their number.
Note: The acts of selling and sharing is not socialism or communism. It was done voluntarily, and the distribution was to those in need. It is likely that by professing their faith in Jesus as Messiah they would have been excommunicated, thrown out of the synagogue. They had to band together to support and care for each other because they no longer were able to do that through Jewish channels.
Acts 3
In verses 1-10, Peter and John went to the temple complex at the hour of prayer, about 3 pm. A man lame from birth was carried to the Beautiful Gate every day so he could beg from those entering the temple complex. He called out to Peter and John when he saw them approaching. Peter said I have no money, but in the name of Jesus Christ, get up and walk. Immediately the man stood up, strong, and walked with them into the temple complex praising God. People who knew him as the lame beggar were astonished.
In verses 11-26, the man, along with Peter and John went to Solomon’s Colonnade (a portico of columns that run along the entire east side of the temple complex). Seeing the crowd, Peter preached again.
- In verses 12-16, Peter explained what had happened; that God had healed the man through the power of faith in Jesus’ name.
- In verses 17-26, Peter explained what the people must do: they must repent, turn away from their sins, and believe in Jesus as Messiah (quoting Deuteronomy 18:15-19). He reminded the people that all the prophets spoke of the Messiah and the kingdom age, and God had sent His servant Jesus to them (the Jews) first.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
