Its subject and intention is nicely summarised by the words of the lord in chapter 1. Study guide for acts 9 by david guzik blue letter bible. But ye will receive power, the holy spirit having come upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses both in jerusalem and in all judaea and samaria and to the end of the earth. Study 1 going through the book of acts words of life ministries. The crew destined for rome is treated well with many marks of respect as they set sail and were provided with all that they needed for their journey acts 28. It met the jew and the gentile, the bond and the free, the learned and the ignorant, the rich and the poor, and it showed its power everywhere in subduing the mind to itself. The second is to serve as preparation for urbana96. Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. The book of acts, which continues the narrative that luke began in his gospel, is especially important because it was the first written history of the christian church. It is suggested that each lesson will take 60 to 90 minutes, but in my experience using this guide, it can easily take two or three sessions to complete each lesson. The life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. A bible study lesson series about the beginning of christianity as revealed in the book of the acts of the apostles.
Content includes book studies on luke, ephesians, thessalonians, james, 1 samuel, john, and acts. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. The book is a continuation of the gospel written by luke. The background of acts 2009 by third millennium ministries. Therefore, it is reasonable to include lukes purpose for acts as falling under his purpose for the book of luke. Whereas jesus is the chief character in the gospels, the holy spirit. Acts cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test. Acts must be seen as a hinge book, a transition work bridging the work of christ on earth with his work through the church on earth.
Both were probably written by luke, an early christian who traveled with the apostle paul. You can study the bible using notes sent to you by email from john karmelich. As was stated, acts is the second part of what was originally a twopart, single volume i. These studies will be expository, devotional, practical and varied, and this is an introduction to the whole book. While there are some areas of great detail of the acts of the apostles, many times you must use cross references to the gospels of matthew, mark, luke and john as well as some other epistles in the new testament to get the full picture of what was. Although the author does not name himself, evidence outside the scriptures and inferences from the book itself lead to the conclusion that the author was luke. Nov 30, 2016 paul does a healing of a leading man of the islands dad. In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24.
Bible study notes and commentary on the new testament book of acts. This web page contains lesson plans for a multiweek study of your choice. For assurance of our own salvation, we can compare our own conversion experience with those in acts. This summary of the book of acts provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of acts. Book of acts versebyverse bible study and indepth commentary of the acts of the apostles in plain english for everyone to understand. We read of the evangelistic methods and message of the early apostles and preachers 3.
Whether theophilus was a disciple of christ is not stated explicitly. The introductions are similar in other ways as well. Includes lessons about the kingdom of christ, church organization and worship, examples of conversion, the nature and purpose of miracles, and the work of the holy spirit. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. Intended to be helpful to all christians, including teachers and preachers, while avoiding an emphasis on technical issues. Study 1 going through the book of acts words of life. It has challenged our theology and the depth of our relationship with christ and the holy spirit. Sir william ramsay, after making a critical study of lukes writings, declared that luke was the greatest historian, ancient or modern. Luke is the writer, as he states in his introduction v. This becomes the framework for the entire book of acts. In addition, this letter, the most jewish book in the entire new testament, is indicative of an 2 dake study notes, dakes study bible 3 ellsworth, r. Emphasizes understanding the text with practical applications. One is simply to strengthen believers as witnesses to the work and life of jesus, both in history and in their lives. Workbook on the book of acts the church of christ in.
Sauls purpose in traveling to damascusthen saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of damascus, so that if he found any who were of the way, whether men or women, he might. The entire book of the acts of the apostles records the effect of the gospel when it comes fairly in contact with the minds of people. The book of acts, sometimes called the fifth gospel, is a continuation of the gospel of luke. Acts 1 niv jesus taken up into heaven in my bible gateway. It covers primarily the activities of peter and paul, not those of all the. The book of acts is the second longest book in the new testament the gospel of luke is the longest book. The book of acts, above all else, is a story about the churchand what a story it is. While no definite answer can be given to this question, it seems highly probable that luke was the author of the original book, but the work of editors and redactors was added before the text reached the final form in which we have it today. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons.
For luke, the summary narratives describe what life could be like in an exemplary church. He departs from a careful analysis of apostles experiences in jerusalem. Acts concerns the very vital period in christian history between the resurrection of jesus and the death of the apostle paul, the time when christian ideas and beliefs were. An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. Several questions can be answered from the first 2 verses. In addition, there are topical studies on issues such as spiritual leadership, gods redemptive plan, and old testament character studies. The book contains only a few of the acts of some of the apostles, primarily peter and paul.
It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel. Luke expresses in general terms what christsaid to his apostles during those forty days. This leads to other miraculous healings and a powerful witness on the island. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. This promise is mentioned in the gospel of john four times. It covers primarily the activities of peter and paul, not those of all the apostles. The book of acts is the second of a twovolume work the first being the gospel according to luke traditionally attributed to luke, a physician and traveling companion of paul. Acts narrates the founding of the christian church and the spread of its message to the roman empire, providing theological insight and practical guidance for christian churches in the first generation. The natives, which history tells us were of phoenician descent, were extremely kind and helpful to the weary and beaten down travelers.
In many ways acts is the most exciting book in the new testament because it is full of movement and interest. Acts with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Luke records many examples of conversion in the book of acts e. In acts, jesus sends the holy spirit to empower his disciples as they carry. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. Surely the church of this age did not begin at acts two, as is so commonly taken for granted see acts dispensationally considered by c.
The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. After having given commandment in the 3d verse acts 1. Acts of the apostles, the second part of the work that begins with the gospel according to luke, is the story of the early church after jesuss martyrdom. It is more a story of the expansion of the church from jerusalem to rome. Watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. A full chapter by chapter study would take more than six months, so feel free to select from our available lessons below.
Constable, provide commentary on all 66 books of the bible and contain over 12,000 pages of material in pdf format. Study of acts discussion notes chapter 9 introduction in chapter 9 of acts, luke begins to give a broader view of what is taking place in the new testament church. In acts, the gospel expands not through human strength, but through weakness, opposition, and persecution. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. The beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church a chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 6 acts 1 50 days 1. T he book of acts in the bible, written around 6263 a. This study is divided into lessons which means each lesson is quite long.
Class notes on acts chapters nine through fifteen 12 class notes the book of acts. The acts of the apostles, or simply the acts, is the second part to the gospel of luke in the new testament. Like luke, acts is addressed to the unknown reader theophilus, and in the introduction to acts, it is made clear that it is a continuation of luke. Acts 1 new international version niv jesus taken up into heaven. This versebyverse bible study and commentary of the acts of the apostles the book of acts or simply acts is indepth but uses plain language that everyone can understand, as well as a format that will engage you. This seminarylevel study also retains its depth and uses an engaging interactive format. Bible study notes in acts chapter 28 acts 28the remarkable description of the events on malta begin the last chapter of this incredible book of scripture. This is the third in a series of three smallgroup bible study discussion guides luke 19, luke 1024 and selected portions of acts which explore the meaning of witness. Jul 10, 2014 designed for individuals and small groups alike, this 12week study through the book of acts explores the history of the early church after christs ascension. The book of acts is the link between the gospels and the epistles. These studies will be expository, devotional, practical and varied, and this is an introduction to the whole book 1 title. Constable taught at dallas theological seminary for 45 years, and served as the chairman of its bible exposition department.
Bible study of acts join us for an inspiring study on the. Acts bible study notes by email from john karmelich. Constables notes on acts 5 example for readers to study and emulate in their own churches. The title acts of the apostles is a bit misleading. The about a hundred and twenty disciples, including the apostles, among whom peter stood up acts 1.