REFERENCES:
Acts 2:1-4
John 3:8
Luke 3:16
Acts 2:5-13
1 Cor 14:20-22
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Does my relationship with Jesus make room for supernatural signs and wonders?
Place yourself in that room, on that night. What would have been your response?
What aspects of Christ’s Character are in view in this section of passages?
What application in your personal faith walk is the HS illuminating today?
Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.
REFERENCES:
Acts 1:1-5
Luke 24:50-53
1 Cor 2:12-14
John 20:20-22
John 15:26-27
Acts 1:6
Acts 1:7-8
Matt 24:36
Acts 1:9-11
Acts 1:12-14
Acts 1:15-26
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. What aspects of Christ's character have come into view today?
2. Am I willing to ask God the question "What does it mean?" Am I willing to ask God to teach us by His Spirit?
3. When faced with big decisions, what is my first course of action?
Join in as Ben Shafer begins a verse-by-verse journey teaching through the book of Acts.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
The events described in Acts take place in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the surrounding occupied lands of the Greco-Roman empire as well as Asia Minor during the 1st century between 30-60 CE. Acts likely composed between 60 and 90 C.E.
ORIGINAL INTENDED AUDIENCE:
This work was authored by Luke along with the “The gospel of Luke” to be read aloud to a room full of Greek-speaking Jews who have placed their faith in Jesus and are now following the New Covenant. Specifically, this work would have been read aloud in its entirety before taking the Lord’s supper together in a small gathering.
LITERARY CONTEXT:
written in a “narrative” style. Much like a travel journal.
STRUCTURE:
Divided into five parts.
Jesus’ Commission
The arrival of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church.
Life within the Jesus movement
The Mission of the Church
Paul’s arrest
OVERARCHING THEME:
The Holy Spirit, the Great Commission, and the Church
UNIQUE FACTS ABOUT ACTS:
Famous name: “Acts of the Apostles” Perhaps misnamed from antiquity- only covers 2 of the apostle's works. Peter & Paul. Could be named “Acts of the Spirit” or “Acts of Jesus”
Completes the NT Pentateuch (4 gospels)
A bridge between the life of the Messiah and the epistles
Our only record of how the Church was birthed from Gentiles
Author - Luke. Written as a single work along with “Luke”
Comprises 25% of the NT and only one written by a gentile
Luke: travel companion & doctor for Paul (close friend). He died at age 84 and was unmarried.
