AC TSEKKLESIA EMPOWERED
EKKLESIAIs a word that means “assembly.” The church is
an assembly of God’s people with a purpose to teach, inspire, and lead others to faith in Jesus Christ. The Book of Acts shows us what the
assembly can do when they are empowered by God to reach out into the whole world.
INTRODUCTIONThe book of Acts serves as a sequel to the
Gospels and as supplemental information to the Epistles. Acts validates the inspiration of the
Apostles (specifically Peter + Paul) and those who taught after them. It holds a unique place in
Scripture and the NT. It builds upon the work of Jesus and highlights the birth of the church.
PURPOSERead Luke 1:1-4 + Acts 1:1-5. The stated purpose of Acts was to give Theophilus an
accurate account of the origins of Christianity and its spread into the known world.
Read Acts 28:22 as well. Christianity was not well-regarded and the secondary purpose may
have been to correct misconceptions.
THEOPHILUS?We just don’t know who he was. What we do know is that he already knew something about
Christianity and the author’s aim was to give him more info. He could be a normal, everyday person;
a high-ranking Roman official responsible for Paul; or the name could be representative of
Christianity as a whole (means “dear to God”).
AUTHORThe book itself is anonymous. Earliest tradition has
stated Luke (the friend of Paul) wrote both the third Gospel and Acts.
1 “We” sections implies a companion of Paul.2 Written in excellent Greek, implying an
educated man wrote it.
THEMESChristianity isn’t a new innovation but instead the proper fulfillment of Israel’s religion and
responsibility towards God.
That is an idea that is repeated in the Epistle to the Hebrews.
THEMESA defense of faith in Jesus Christ will be required by those who claim faithfulness. From the early arrests and trials of the Apostles to Stephen’s defense and Paul’s arrest; men and women of God will be put to the test in Acts to defend
their faith.
THEMESThe geography of the ancient world will become important. The Roman Empire had made travel possible for someone like Paul (a Roman citizen) and the spread of Christianity is partially due to that privilege. Towns like Ephesus, Antioch, and Rome will take center stage in the lives of God’s
people.
THEMESSermons will continue to a big part of God’s
message to the world. Several sermons deliveredby men like Peter (at Pentecost in ch. 2) and
Stephen (his defense in chs. 5-7) will take prominentroles as we study through the text. The sermon
will become an important method to God’s peoplewhen it comes to spreading the Gospel.
THEMESThe spread of God’s message to the Gentiles will take center stage in Acts like never before. God’s messengers will “branch out” and find a receptive audience in the Gentiles who for so
long were ignored by the Jewish people.