1
You Will Be My Witnesses

• A Survey of the Book of Acts
• Part 1

2
Title of the Book

• The title Acts or Acts of the Apostles refers
  to some of the acts of some of the Apostles as
  they carry out the great commission to preach the
  gospel to all the world (Acts 12,25-26
  237,42-43 433,35-37 52,12,18,40 66
  81,14,18 etc.).
•  The Apostle Peter is the focus of Acts 1-12,
  with Jerusalem as his center, and the Jews as his
  primary audience. This section of Acts closes
  with Peter in prison.
•  The Apostle Paul is the focus of Acts 13-28,
  with Antioch as his center, and the Gentiles as
  his primary audience. This section of Acts closes
  with Paul in prison.

3
Author of the Book

• Luke, the physician (Col. 414), wrote the book
  of Luke and the book of Acts (note the medical
  terminology used in both books Lk. 435 938
  1825 Acts 918-19 288).
•  Luke was a travelling companion of Paul (note
  the we sections in Acts 1610-17 205 2118
  271 2816) and Luke was with Paul during his
  Roman imprisonment (Acts 2830-31 Col. 414
  Phile. 24).
•  Luke was a researcher and chronicler of events
  (Luke 11-4). He wrote with accuracy (note his
  use of Roman words proconsul, Acts 137-8,12
  1812 1938 rulers or politarches, Acts
  176,8 and Asiarchs, Acts 1931).

4
Audience and Purpose

• Luke wrote to Theophilus (Acts 11 Lk. 11-4).
•  First, the book of Acts is the historical record
  of the continued work of Jesus Christ from heaven
  (Mt. 2820 Acts 234-36).
• Second, the book of Acts shows the fulfillment of
  the Lords plan to build his church (Mt. 1618).
• Third, the book of Acts also serves as an
  historical link between the Gospels (the Lords
  church in planning) and the Epistles (the Lords
  church in progress).

5
Audience and Purpose

• Fourth, the book of Acts gives the background to
  several of Pauls epistles (Galatians, Acts
  13-14 Philippians, Acts 16 1-2 Thessalonians,
  Acts 17 1-2 Corinthians, Acts 18 Ephesians and
  1-2 Timothy, Acts 19-20).

6
Date of the Book

• Approximately 30 years are covered in the book of
  Acts. Acts 1-7 covers a period of 2 years (A.D.
  33-35). Acts 8-12 covers a period of 13 years
  (A.D. 35-48). Acts 13-28 covers a period of 15
  years (A.D. 48-63).
•  Luke probably wrote the book of Acts toward the
  end of Pauls Roman imprisonment or right after
  it (Acts 2830-31), c. A.D. 63.

7
Theme of the Book

• The theme of the book of Acts centers on the
  Apostles carrying out the great commission of
  Jesus Christ to preach the gospel to the entire
  world (Mt. 2819-20 Mk. 1615-16 Lk. 2447-49
  Jn. 2021-23).
• The Apostles would be witnesses
  (give testimony) of Jesus Christ (his life,
  death, burial, resurrection, and ascension)
  through the power of the Holy Spirit to all the
  world starting in Jerusalem (Acts 18,22 232
  315 433 532 1039,41 1331 143 2215
  2311 2616 see also Luke 2447).

8
Theme of the Book

• As the Apostles carry out the Lords commission
  and witness to the entire world, souls are
  converted to Christ through the preaching of the
  gospel and the Lords church is established in
  Jerusalem (Acts 2). The Lords church will grow
  and expand in the rest of the book of Acts.
• Acts in six words Beginning and Spread of the
  Church.

9
Outline of the Book

• You Will Be My Witnesses (Acts 18)
• 1. Witness (the gospel preached) in Jerusalem
  (Acts 1-7).
• 2. Witness (the gospel preached) in All Judea and
  Samaria (Acts 8-12).
• 3. Witness (the gospel preached) to the Uttermost
  Part of the Earth (Acts 13-28).

10
You Will Be My Witnesses - Acts 18 ( Theme of
the Book of Acts )
To the Uttermost Part of the Earth ( Acts 13-28
)
In Judea and Samaria ( Acts 8-12 )
In Jerusalem ( Acts 1-7 )
11
The Lords Church Is A Model

• A converted church (Acts 214-41).
• A persecuted church (41ff 517ff 68ff 81ff
  121ff).
• A worshipping church (Acts 242,46-47).
• A rejoicing church (246 541).
• A learning church (Acts 242 542).
• An organized church (61-6 1130 152 2118).
• A united church (244-46 424,32).
• An evangelistic church (541-42 84,14 1122).
• A praying church (242 424 66 125).
• A growing church (241,47 44 514 61,7
  1224).

12
The Lords Church Is A Model

• A benevolent church (245 432-37 61-6).
• A disciplined church (51-11).
• A working / active church (see all the references
  above).

13
The Lords Church Is A Model

• A Model of Conversion
• The Jerusalem visitors (Acts 237-41).
• The Samaritans (Acts 8 5-13).
• The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 826-40).
• Saul of Tarsus (Acts 91-19 2216).
• Cornelius (Acts 101-48).
• Lydia and the jailor at Philippi (Acts 1614-34).
• The Corinthians (Acts 185-8).
• The Ephesians (Acts 191-7).

14
The Lords Church Is Opposed

• Opposition from Without
• Jewish religious leaders (Acts 4-5).
• Jewish zealots (Acts 7-8).
• Jewish authorities (Acts 121ff).
• Opposition from Within
• Hypocrisy of members (Acts 51-11).
• Murmuring of members (Acts 61).

15
The Lords Church Is Growing

• The church will grow when the seed of the gospel
  is planted in the soil of mens hearts (Acts
  247 44 Lk. 84-15).
• The church will grow when discipline is exercised
  (Acts 511-14 2 Thess. 36).
• The church will grow when it is persecuted
  (Acts 44,31 541-42 81-5 1119 1224 2
  Tim. 312).
• The church will grow when it stays busy working
  (Acts 61-7 82,4 Eph. 411-16).

16
The Lords Church Is Growing

• The church will grow when it is at peace, fearing
  the Lord, and walking by the Holy Spirit (Acts
  931 1 Thess. 513 1 Pet. 117 217
  Gal. 522-26).

17
Acts For Today

• The Lords church established in the book of Acts
  becomes a pattern and model for all today who
  seek to be members of a New Testament church.
• Faithful members of the Lords church will
  continue to work and grow even in the face of
  opposition (Acts 44,23-31 511,14,41-42 63-4
  84 1224).
• The Lords church will grow today but it will
  take the right attitudes and right actions of all
  the brethren.

18
Acts For Today

• Have I been converted to the Lord just like the
  Christians in the book of Acts?
• Am I a member of a church that is patterned and
  modeled after the New Testament church in the
  book of Acts?
• Am I a courageous Christian who will face
  opposition in the right way and remain faithful
  to the Lord just like I read about in the book of
  Acts?
• Am I an active Christian member of a local church
  that is growing just like the growing church in
  the book of Acts?