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Know Your Bible. Welcome to Week 9. The Acts of the Apostles. The Acts of the Apostles. Fifth book of the New Testament, written by Luke Second in a two-part history, first being Luke’s gospel Tells the story of the birth of the church
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Know Your Bible Welcome toWeek 9 The Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of the Apostles • Fifth book of the New Testament, written by Luke • Second in a two-part history, first being Luke’s gospel • Tells the story of the birth of the church • The empowering of the church by the Holy Spirit in Chapter 2 fulfils Joel’s prophecy
The Acts of the Apostles • Commission to witness (1:8) • Witness in Jerusalem (2:1 – 8:3) • Witness in Judea and Samaria (8:4 – 12:25) • Ministry of Paul a) 1st missionary journey (13:1 – 14:28) b) Conference in Jerusalem (15:1-35) c) 2nd missionary journey (15:36 – 18:22) d) 3rd missionary journey (18:23 – 21:16) e) Paul as prisoner (21:17 – 28:31) Acts ends with Paul under house arrest in Rome and stops abruptly.
The Acts of the Apostles • Also includes the actions (Acts) of Peter, John, Stephen, Barnabas, Silas, Philip, Apollos. • Many of the characters in Acts are acknowledged in Paul’s letters. • Agreement is reached that Paul preaches to the Gentiles, Peter to the Jews.
The Acts of the Apostles • Churches established in places visited – Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, Thessalonica, all of which later received letters of support/instruction from Paul (see next week).
Key passages • Acts1 – The promise of the Holy Spirit • Acts 2 – The outpouring of the Holy Spirit and Peter’s speech • Acts 4:23-37 – The believers pray for boldness and share their possessions. The first secret ingredient of success. • Acts 6 – The selection of deacons. Congregation involved: the second secret ingredient of success.
Key passages • Acts 9 – The conversion of Paul • Acts 10 – The Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit. Openness to God’s further plans: the third secret ingredient of success. • Acts 13 – Organisation of the church at Antioch. Seeking the Lord:the fourth secret ingredient of success. • Acts 15 – Conference at Jerusalem. Focussing on the essentials.
Memory verse: ‘There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved’. (Acts 4:12)
Next week: The Epistles and Revelation