LESSON FIVE
The Acts of the Apostles
A sequel to the Gospel of Luke, the Book of Acts portrays the birth and growth of the Christian Church. Acts also is a theological work that builds a strong case for the validity of Christ’s claims and promises.
Luke’s record of the coming of the Holy Spirit shows that the Church did not start or grow by its own initiative, but as the power of the Holy Spirit empowered the early Christians.
The Book of Acts also describes the opposition and persecution that the Christians suffered at the hands of both Jews and Gentiles. This opposition, however, became a catalyst for the spread of Christianity.
Acts is considered the connecting link between the life of Christ and the life of the Church, and is a glimpse into the Christian world that gave birth to the Epistles.
Lesson Objective: To view the dynamic establishment of the first-century church
BIBLE STUDY
Read Acts 2
Before you consider the many verses below, be sure to read the Bible passage listed above.
If you click on the verses in the study below you can see the entire verse! If you are not on-the-go, consider opening a physical Bible and looking up the passages.
Empowerment of the Holy Spirit
The Book of Acts begins by referring to the material presented in the Gospels as “all that Jesus began to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1). It tells of the works that the resurrected and ascended Christ continued to do through the Holy Spirit poured out on his disciples at Pentecost. Acts 1:8 has often been considered the key verse of this book. Survey the book and answer these questions.
Q. What chapters tell of the witness of the disciples at Jerusalem?
In Samaria?
To the ends of the earth?
Peter
- The following are some of the major messages that Peter gave as he witnessed for Christ: Acts 2:14–36; 3:11–26; 10:34–43.
What was the most important point about the life of Christ that Peter was trying to get across? - Read chapter 10. What significance does Peter’s experience with Cornelius have for the church?
Paul
Of all the apostles, Paul stands out most prominently in Acts and other books of the New Testament.
- What kind of man was Paul before he was converted (Acts 8:1–3; Acts 9:2; Acts 22:1–5; Acts 26:4–12)?
When Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, what did he tell Paul he was to do (Acts 9:4–6)? - To whom did Paul seek to minister first at Cypress (Acts 13:4–12), at Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:13–52), and at Iconium (Acts 14:1–7)?
To whom did Paul preach after this first group rejected the gospel? - In preaching to the Jews, Paul was able to make a point of contact with them by referring to the Old Testament Scriptures. What was the point of contact Paul used in speaking to the pagan Gentiles at Lystra (Acts 14:8–18)?
What did Paul do to establish his converts in the faith (Acts 14:21–23)?
Romans 15:20 tells us one more thing about Paul’s evangelism strategy. What is it?
The Holy Spirit
- According to these Scriptures, what are some of the ways in which the Holy Spirit empowered the early church?
Acts 1:8
Acts 4:31
Acts 2:4–8; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:6
Acts 7:54–60
Acts 10:19, 20; Acts 13:2–4
Acts 11:28; Acts 21:10–13 - How did the Holy Spirit work through Paul as he ministered at the following places:
Cypress (Acts 13:4–12)?
Iconium (Acts 13:52–14:3)?
LIFE APPLICATION
Questions
- What is the most important thing you now try to tell others about Christ?
How does that compare with what Peter and Paul preached? - What can you learn from Paul to help in your discipling of others?
- What are some of the ways in which the Holy Spirit is currently empowering you?
- Are you able to view the dynamic establishment of the first-century church?
Memory Verse: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NLT)