Enjoy Acts: Faith in Action – Session 01
Jerusalem & Judea: The Birth of the Church
Tonight’s Scripture: Acts 1 & 2
Lecture Handout
Enjoy Acts Handout_-_Session_1
VIDEO
(notes displayed below)
Lesson Notes
Course Introduction
This course will provide an eight-week study on the book of Acts
- 2nd volume of the 3rd gospel. Like it, it was written to Theophilus
- Since the 2nd century, both the 3rd Gospel and Acts have been attributed to Luke, the companion of Paul, and several sections of Acts use “we” indicating the author is traveling with Paul
- Acts 1: 1– Luke’s gospel described what Jesus began to do until taken up
- Acts addresses what Jesus continued to do and teach through the Holy Spirit
- While it’s a history of the early church in action, it’s ultimately the story of the Holy Spirit and how He worked through the followers of Christ
- Particular emphasis on how the Spirit worked in two radically transformed Spirit-filled followers: Peter the denier of Christ (Acts 2-12) and Paul the persecutor of Christians (Acts 13-28)
- That makes Acts incredibly relevant to us – because that Spirit is still at work today!
- The early church had everything stacked against it – within Judaism and the Roman Empire
- Dead founder; terrified, unspectacular leaders; small numbers; minimal resources or influence
- A deeply skeptical and hostile surrounding culture
- Yet they turned the world upside down – because they had faith and were empowered by the Holy Spirit
- That’s really it for resources; we have vastly more resources, but they don’t matter
- If we’re willing to act in faith, the same Spirit empowers us who empowers them
- We can turn this world upside down if we’re willing to commit and walk by the Spirit!
- Possibly written as early as 62 A.D. based on very abrupt ending, or perhaps closer to 70 AD because Luke’s gospel quotes Mark’s gospel
- Covers a period from roughly 33 AD to 62 AD
- Realize that while it feels very fast moving – and it is – it’s also covering a span of decades
- We can be very impatient in church life, wanting world-changing results ASAP
- One lesson of Acts is that the Spirit moves on HIs timing
- We need to be preparing and prepared to move then
- We need to recognize that even the most Spirit-filled movement unfolds over months and years, so be patient
- We overestimate what we can do in a year and underestimate what we can do in 10 – learn to think in multi-year timeframes!
- As we go through, please note the spiritual practices, postures, and responses of the early church, as well as the descriptions of the activity of the Holy Spirit
Introduction & Christ’s Ascension (1: 1-11)
- Acts 1: 1-5
- Emphasis on the Holy Spirit (2 times)
- verse 4 – Don’t depart Jerusalem – wait for the promise – baptism of the Holy Spirit
- Acts 1: 6-11
- Verses 6-7 – they wanted to know about end times, restoration of Israel’s Kingdom
- We aren’t going to know God’s timetable. Period.
- Jesus tells them to focus on much more important things – God’s Kingdom
- Important note on priorities – earthly kingdoms and nations aren’t Christ’s priority – we need to remember that in an election year! Do your duty, but remember your ultimate citizenship
- Verse 8 – Key verse for the entire book!
- Note the key word “but” – this is what they’re really supposed to be concerned with – not earthly politics
- Their power and ours – the Holy Spirit
- Their responsibility and ours – to be witnesses
- And the organizing literary structure of Acts (and our study) – Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Ends of the Earth – this is the table of contents for Acts
- Verses 9-11
- Jesus ascends on a cloud
- Angels promise – Jesus will return the same way – on the cloud!
- Verses 6-7 – they wanted to know about end times, restoration of Israel’s Kingdom
The Church is Born – Peter’s First Sermon (2: 1-41)
- Before I read this long section, most of it a sermon preached by Peter, I want to briefly remind you of Peter when last we heard much about him
- Luke 22: 54-62
- Peter is stunningly transformed in Acts, as many will note
- He is uneducated and irresolute on his own
- With the Holy Spirit – he’s extraordinary!
- Faith, the Holy Spirit, and experience with Christ – we dramatically underrate these things in church lfie compared to education, credentials, accomplishments, skills, etc.
- Acts 2: 1-4
- Disciples still gathered and waiting as Jesus commanded
- A sound like a rushing wind
- Visible manifestation divided tongues – like fire resting on them
- Visible manifestation of the Spirit is important at key moments in which history moved forward to new peoples
- It’s God’s visible proof He poured out the Holy Spirit on people
- We don’t see that today because we don’t need it – it happened only at key movements forward of the church – Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles
- Acts 2: 5-13
- Many are in Jerusalem for the festivals – Passover to Pentecost
- Jews from other countries and they hear preaching in their own language
- This is a snapshot of the whole book – people from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the Ends of the Earth
- Aren’t these Galileans (bumpkins)?
- Everyone amazed – struggling to make sense of it, while some just scoff
- Many recognize this as a miraculous reversal of the Tower of Babel – meant to clearly show that the Messianic age has dawned and promises are being fulfilled
- Acts 2: 14-41
- WOW! I mean, wow! Talk about before and after for Peter!!!
- Suddenly Mr. “I don’t know Jesus” is shouting the crowd and preaching a sermon for the ages
- Verse 14 – Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem – remember Acts 1: 8!
- He quotes Joel 2: 28-32
- The long-promised pouring out of the Holy Spirit on all God’s people
- Previously the Spirit was a very occasional experience for only a few
- These are the last days – the final days prior to God’s judgment
- We’re in them now – and nearer to the end than 2,000 years ago!
- Verse 21 – everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
- Now for the sermon proper – centered on Jesus
- Verses 22-23 – you killed Jesus, despite all the evidence of who He was
- But it was also the plan and foreknowledge of God
- We see both God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility here
- Verse 24 – God raised Him from the dead
- Quotes Psalm 16: 8-11 – David wasn’t talking about himself, but about Jesus
- Verse 32 – The disciples are witnesses of the resurrected Jesus
- Verse 36 – God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified
- Verse 37 – Conviction for sin – as every sermon should
- Verse 38 – the call to repentance and baptism
- Repent, be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, receive the Holy Spirit
- Verse 39 – Promise is for you, your children, those far away – always considering the mission
- Everyone God calls to himself
- Why I spoke last week of God’s work in evangelism
- Verse 41 – About 3,000 people responded and were baptized right then
- Verses 22-23 – you killed Jesus, despite all the evidence of who He was
- The church is born!!!
- WOW! I mean, wow! Talk about before and after for Peter!!!
The Everyday Life of the Early Church (2: 42-47)
- Acts 2: 42-47
- Verse 42 – Emphasis on apostles’ teaching about Jesus – their shared experiences – what for us is found in the Bible;
- And fellowship – deep community, really experiencing life together
- What we’re wrestling with right now – how we do that better as a church once we can gather again
- Breaking of bread – meals together and probably Lord’s Supper
- Prayers
- Verses 43-47 elaborate on verse 42
- Miracles were being done by the apostles
- Sharing of life and voluntarily selling property to fund the church
- Note that many of these believers weren’t locals, but they stayed anyway because that’s where the church was – so some genuine financial need
- Worshiping together – one testimony to the importance of gathered worship
- Graceful, generous, praising God – so nice that non-believers liked them!
- More people added each day – through faithful practice of worship together, spiritual habits, growth in community, serving, and sharing (Five to Thrive)
- Verse 42 – Emphasis on apostles’ teaching about Jesus – their shared experiences – what for us is found in the Bible;
Homework
Read Acts 3: 1 – 6: 7