As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. Theres never been much contention about the authorship of acts. Mark has unanimously been noted as the author since its earliest quotations in the second century. Intro to acts biblica the international bible society. Acts documents the infancy of the early church from jesus instruction of his apostles before his ascension to the day of pentecost and the explosion of christianity, which continues to this day. Besides linking the gospel narratives on the one hand and the apostolic letters on the. The first chapter of acts picks up where the gospels leave off with jesus commissioning his disciples and ascending into heaven. The books of acts is often called the book of the holy spirit or the book of the apostles. Robert stein the southern baptist theological seminary please log in to attend this course.
The book actually describes the acts of jesus through the holy spirit in his servants. Free online bible classes new testament survey acts to. As they were empowered by the holy spirit they shared the good news with many people and as a result many were saved from their sins. The acts of the apostles is a unique and therefore crucial book of the new testament. The purpose of the book of acts is governed by the jews response to peter and paul.
Really, very little is written about the apostles in acts. 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. David jeremiah is your guide through the book of acts, which tells the true story of the first followers of jesus. Almost all bible scholars agree that luke was the author of. For fill in the blank or short answer questions, write the correct word or words in the blank, etc. Bible study questions on the book of acts introduction.
Several questions can be answered from the first 2 verses. The author is not named, but continuation and the style makes it clear that luke and acts are by the same author. 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. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history. The book of acts is an important book for understanding the actions of the apostles, mostly paul and peter, after jesuss ascension into heaven. The book of acts was penned by luke, the physician.
In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24. Bible study tips for the book of acts unlocking the bible. Lets take a look at some of the most intriguing things in acts and develop a new appreciation for this fascinating book. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. The book of the acts of the apostles typically shortened to simply acts was almost certainly written by luke or at least whoever recorded the book of luke. We can trace the timeline of the book of acts which highlights the five major sections of the book. This study is indepth but uses easytounderstand english and a question and answer format that will engage you. In the latter portion of acts, luke recorded three rejections of the jews to pauls overtures of salvation. The beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church a chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 6 acts 1 50 days 1. However, his name is not specifically mentioned in the book. The book of acts is the second of a twopart work, both traditionally attributed to luke. Acts concerns the very vital period in christian history between the resurrection of jesus and the death of the apostle paul, the time when christian ideas and beliefs were. This is an interactive, versebyverse bible study and commentary of the acts of the apostles the book of acts or simply acts, which is the fifth book in the new testament of the bible.
The book of acts, also called acts of the apostles, does not specifically identify its author. The book of james continues to show just how important faith is for us and to believe in the things not seen. The tradition from the earliest days of the church has been that luke, a companion of the apostle paul, wrote the books of luke and acts colossians 4. A workbook suitable for bible classes, family studies. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. The book of acts is a continuation of lukes earlier account acts 1. Davidistre abstract% thistrainingcoursestudiesthebook ofacts toprovideinsightintotheway theearlychurchworkedand. The book of acts, which continues the narrative that luke began in his gospel, is especially important because it was the first written history of the christian church. 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. After jesus went up to heaven, they waited in jerusalem. Its narrative supplies a bridge connecting the life and ministry of jesus to the life of the church and the witness of the earliest believers.
The book of acts is an adventure thrill ride from start to finish, but we tend to skip over a lot of the incredibly compelling details. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible commentary. It is believed that luke may have gathered much of the material for acts during pauls imprisonment in caesarea app. The bible continues tells the story of the first 10 chapters of the book of acts, recounting the first few. This is the story of christianitys beginnings and how evangelism played. In the first verse of the book of acts the author mentions the fact that he has already written an earlier report concerning all things which jesus began both to do and to teach, until that day in which he was taken up. The gospel of luke, as well as the book of acts, is. Acts is the second volume of a twopart treatise written by luke to theophilus about all that jesus began to do and teach. Although the author is unnamed in acts, the evidence leads to the conclusion that the author was luke. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of. The book of acts in the new testament of the bible is also called acts of the apostles. But apostles isnt quite right, since the story does not tell of the deeds of most of the apostles, but primarily of peter chapters 112 and paul chapters 28. The acts of the apostles, the second volume of lukes twovolume work, continues lukes presentation of biblical history, describing how the salvation promised to israel in the old testament and accomplished by jesus has now under the guidance of. The book of acts was likely written between ad 61 and 64.
The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. This will help you place yourself in the shoes or sandals of the apostles and understand the kindness of god in the gospel being for all people. For multiple choice questions, type the letter of the correct answer in the blank. Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. Simply type your answers in the appropriate text boxes in the questions. Acts continues from there on starting with christs resurrection. A book of history, sometimes grouped with the gospels, sometimes treated as a unique work. The bible continues brings book of acts to life cbn news. John mark was the son of mary and lived in jerusalem during the time the church began acts. It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel. The genre of the book of acts is narrative history with several sermons. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. Acts with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. It is an important book in understanding how we can be directed by the holy spirit and the role of jesus lessons in our lives.
The book of acts is an inspirational keepsake book, featuring both the book of acts and stunning photos from the filming of the nbc a. In the book of acts we will see many people believe in the lord jesus and be saved. What originally appeared as one work was separated in our bible by the church fathers in order to. David jeremiah will be your guide to the book of acts, which tells the true story of how the first band of followers of jesus quickly grew into an international movement after his death and resurrection. The gospel spreads to the uttermost parts of the known world. Acts and letters of the apostles captures the joys and sorrows. 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. Luke recorded three rejections by the jews to peter and the apostles associated with him to the message of repentance and proclamation of the kingdom. And the faith that others before me had and were successful. Luke, the author of the gospel of luke, was a doctor and gentile. Luke described to theophilus in his first letter about jesus life up to the resurrection.
Ludlowthe book of acts was written by luke after his gospel as the second part of a great twovolume work on jesus christ and the early christians. Survey of the book of acts sermon by scott chambers, acts. One find the verse round worth 30 points two general question multiple choice rounds worth 75 points each over the covered material. 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. The esv study bible includes maps on many of the pages in the book of acts that help illustrate the various places mentioned in acts and routes taken by the apostles as they proclaim the gospel. The book of acts provides a detailed, orderly, eyewitness account of the birth and growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel immediately after the resurrection of jesus christ. The acts of the apostles welcome to our study of the book of acts.
One piece of evidence that supports this is that, in luke 1. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. Book of acts bible study for childrens sunday school. We know the first part of this work as the gospel of luke. Pastor john miller continues our survey through the book of acts with a message through acts 8.