ACTS 1:1-8

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to

teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through

the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented

himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared

to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one

occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not

leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me

speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized

with[b] the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are

you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not

for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you

will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses

in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The GOSPELS

JESUS IS !

“After his suffering, he showed

himself to these men and gave

many convincing proofs that he

was alive.” ACTS 1:3

 

The BOOK OF ACTS

JESUS IS ALIVE IN

!

“But you will receive power when

the Holy Spirit comes on you.”

ACTS 1:8

OVERVIEW OF ACTS

KEY VERSE – ACTS 1:8

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and

Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

THEY WERE UNSTOPPABLE FOR 3 REASONS

1

2

3

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” ACTS 1:8

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were

unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these

men had been with Jesus.” ACTS 4:13

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my

witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

ACTS 1:8

“They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every

day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their

homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying

the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those

who were being saved.” ACTS 2:45-47

“After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing

proofs that he was alive.” ACTS 1:3

 

PAUL’S MISSIONARY JOURNEYS

“Luke is a historian of the first rank; All distances are accurate. All city places

accurate. Even the shipping routes are accurate. The things he says about the cities,

Roman rulers and governors are all historically accurate. In every historical test

applied to this book – Luke gives high marks… In short this author (Luke) should be

placed along with the very greatest of historians.”

– Sir William Ramsay, The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the

New Testament, p 80

 

WHY EVERY CHRISTIAN NEEDS TO KNOW THIS BOOK!

· Acts reveals the history of EARLY CHRISTIANITY

Written by Luke, Acts begins where the Gospels leave off. It covers the 30-year span

of Christianity from the resurrection of Jesus to the time when Paul was in Rome.

 

Acts is a Book of “Firsts”

 The first permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit (CHAPTER 1-2)

 The first Christian church (CHAPTER 2)

 The first organization of church government (CHAPTER 6)

 The first martyr (CHAPTER 7)

 The first missionary – Phillip (CHAPTER 8)

 The first time the gospel is delivered to Gentiles (CHAPTER 10)

 The first use of the name Christians (CHAPTER 11:26)

 The first organized approach to world evangelism (CHAPTER 13-28)

· Acts helps us understand the REST OF the New Testament

 Philippians (ACTS 16)

 Thessalonians (ACTS 17)

 Corinthians (ACTS 18)

 Ephesians (ACTS 19)

· Acts IGNITES confidence, boldness, encouragement and courage.