Acts of the Apostles - Bible Studies
Below:
1) Introduction to Acts
2) Bible Study Question Sheets
1) Introduction to Acts
Luke wrote two books to Theophilus ("lover of God"). In the Gospel of
Luke he told about the things that Jesus did and taught until he ascended into
heaven. In Acts, Luke wrote about the continuing work of the ascended Jesus
through the Holy Spirit in the church. Luke was the only Gentile writer of the
New Testament. He shows how God himself transformed a narrow, exclusive
community of believers, bound by their own culture and traditions, into a
universal, world-wide church--a church free to cross all human barriers to bring
the gospel to all men everywhere.
Acts is organized around Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." These are the words of the
Risen Christ. This is not an ordinary command. It is an imperative. It is related to
the very existence of the church. The church is a body of believers who are sent
into the world to witness to the Risen Christ. Chapters 1-12 focus on Peter, and
chapters 13-27, on Paul.
God's mission for his church is not a new idea. When God called Abraham, he
promised, "Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed." Jesus'
saving work on the cross and his glorious resurrection is the blessing to all people
who believe. But the good news of forgiveness of sins and eternal life must be
carried to all nations by the church--the body of Christ, the people of God.
OUTLINE OF ACTS:
1. To Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria
a. 1:1-7:60--The Witness in Jerusalem (Climaxed by Stephen's martyrdom)
b. 8:1-12:25--To Judea and Samaria (Peter's ministry; Paul's conversion)
2. To the Ends of the Earth
a. 13:1-15:35--Paul's 1st Journey (With Barnabas--Jerusalem Council)
b. 15:36-21:15--2nd and 3rd Journeys (2nd--To Europe; 3rd--In Ephesus)
c. 21:16-28:31--God's heart for the world (To Jerusalem and to Rome in chains)
Luke he told about the things that Jesus did and taught until he ascended into
heaven. In Acts, Luke wrote about the continuing work of the ascended Jesus
through the Holy Spirit in the church. Luke was the only Gentile writer of the
New Testament. He shows how God himself transformed a narrow, exclusive
community of believers, bound by their own culture and traditions, into a
universal, world-wide church--a church free to cross all human barriers to bring
the gospel to all men everywhere.
Acts is organized around Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." These are the words of the
Risen Christ. This is not an ordinary command. It is an imperative. It is related to
the very existence of the church. The church is a body of believers who are sent
into the world to witness to the Risen Christ. Chapters 1-12 focus on Peter, and
chapters 13-27, on Paul.
God's mission for his church is not a new idea. When God called Abraham, he
promised, "Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed." Jesus'
saving work on the cross and his glorious resurrection is the blessing to all people
who believe. But the good news of forgiveness of sins and eternal life must be
carried to all nations by the church--the body of Christ, the people of God.
OUTLINE OF ACTS:
1. To Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria
a. 1:1-7:60--The Witness in Jerusalem (Climaxed by Stephen's martyrdom)
b. 8:1-12:25--To Judea and Samaria (Peter's ministry; Paul's conversion)
2. To the Ends of the Earth
a. 13:1-15:35--Paul's 1st Journey (With Barnabas--Jerusalem Council)
b. 15:36-21:15--2nd and 3rd Journeys (2nd--To Europe; 3rd--In Ephesus)
c. 21:16-28:31--God's heart for the world (To Jerusalem and to Rome in chains)
2) Bible Study Question Sheets:
acts_17v1-34_now_he_commands_all_people_everywhere_to_repent.docx | |
File Size: | 26 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Acts 1v1-26 ~ But When the Holy Spirit Comes on You | |
File Size: | 12 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Acts 2v1-47 ~ Pentecost and the Birth of the First Church | |
File Size: | 12 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Acts 3v1-26 ~ In the Name of Jesus, Walk | |
File Size: | 34 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Acts 4v1-31 ~ Salvation Is Found In No One Else | |
File Size: | 26 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Acts 4v32-5v11 ~ One In Heart and Mind | |
File Size: | 26 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Acts 5v12-42 ~ The Full Message of This New Life | |
File Size: | 30 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Acts 6-7 ~ Organizing of the Church and Stephen's Martyrdom | |
File Size: | 39 kb |
File Type: | docx |