The Prelude to the Birth of the Church

2. The Prelude to the Birth of the Church Acts: The Unfinished Story of the Church Series [1] Acts 1:1-11

3. INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK AND THE SERIES • The Distinctive Characteristics of The Book of Acts 1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. (vs.1-2) • It is Part 2 of the two-volume account of Luke: continuing ministry of Jesus by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles. • Hence, it is the continuation of Part 1, the Gospel of Luke.

4. 1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were  eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you,  most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4 • Historical Events: Jesus’ life and ministry “accomplished”. • Eyewitnesses: of the life & ministry of Jesus (the Apostles). • Luke’s Personal Research: having followed all things closely. • Writing/Compiling: many did just that (the Gospels). • Reading for Certainty: ground for readers’ Christian faith.

5. INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK AND THE SERIES • Luke was unique among the New Testament writers. • He was a Gentile (Col 4:14). • He was a physician (Col 4:14). • He was a close traveling companion of Apostle Paul in his missionary journeys (Acts 16:11-17; 2 Tim 4:11). • He was a skilled historian. • He had a special concern for the outsiders—the poor, tax collectors, “sinners”/outcasts, the lost, and the Gentiles.

6. INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK AND THE SERIES 2) The Importance of The Book of Acts • Its role as bridgebetween the Gospels and the Epistles. • Its historical account on the origin & outreach of the early church. • Its vivid focus on the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in and through the early church. • In spite of the fact that the early church was neither perfect nor problem-free. • It is an unfinished book about the church (still being written by us as well).

7. INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK AND THE SERIES • The Key Themes of The Book of Acts • The Church: how the church had birthed on Pentecost and expanded from Jerusalem to the end of the earth. • The Holy Spirit: Jesus had sent the Holy Spirit to empower and work in and through his church and his followers, continuing his work for the kingdom of God. • The Gospel: The book of Acts is essentially about how the gospel of Christ was spread from a Jewish sect to all peoples of all nations universally.

8. INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK AND THE SERIES 4) The Structure of The Book of Acts “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (v.8) • Acts 1-7 Witness in Jerusalem (Peter & John). • Acts 8-12 Witness in Judea and Samaria (Stephen & Philip) • Acts 13-28 Witness in the end of the earth (Paul & Barnabas)

9. WHAT WERE GIVEN TO THE DISCIPLES AS THE PRELUDE TO THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH? • The followers of Jesus were given the firsthand experiences with the risen Christ. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. (v.3) • The resurrection of Jesus Christ was a historical event—our faith is laid on the historical certainty. • The disciples were given many proofs concerning the resurrection—seeing him numerous time, eating with him, hearing about the kingdom of God, and with others. • So, here is the first tool for us: We are also to experience the risen Christ through faith and obedience.

10. WHAT WERE GIVEN TO THE DISCIPLES AS THE PRELUDE TO THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH? • The followers of Jesus were given the promise of the Father. 4And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which he said,  “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now… 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”” (vs.4-5, 8) • The promise was the Holy Spirit for all believers in Christ. • The power and vitality of the Christian mission as well as the Christian life comes from the Holy Spirit. • So, the second tool is this: We are to be Christ’s witnesses not with our own power by the power of the Holy Spirit

11. WHAT WERE GIVEN TO THE DISCIPLES AS THE PRELUDE TO THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH? 3) The followers of Jesus were given the hope of Christ’s return. 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority… 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two  men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (vs.6-7, 9-11) • Jesus’ ascension was the basis of hope for his return. • Until his return, the Spirit does his work through us. • So, the third tool is this: We are to live out an incarnational life of Jesus in this certainty of hope for his return!

12. Broadening Our Horizons for Christ In his reply Jesus broaden their horizons. He promised that the Holy Spirit would empowered them to be his witnesses. They would begin indeed in Jerusalem, the national capital in which he had been condemned and crucified, and which they were not to leave before the Spirit came. They would continue in the immediate environs of Judea. But then the Christian mission would radiate out from that center, in accordance with the ancient prophecy that “the law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” first to despised Samaria, and then far beyond Palestine to the Gentile nations, indeed to the ends of the earth . . . For Christ’s kingdom, while not incompatible with patriotism, tolerates no narrow nationalisms. He rules over an international community in which race, nation, rank, and sex are no barriers to fellowship. And when his kingdom is consummated at the end, the countless company will be seen to be drawn “from every nation, tribe, people and language”. - John R. W. Stott

13. THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE • Which importance of the book of Acts interests you the most? Why? • Which of the three key themes will be your goal and focus in this series? • What is your application on this prelude to the birth of the church? [i.e., (1) the risen life of Christ, (2) the promise of the father for the Holy Spirit, and (3) the hope of Christ’s return.]