His-Story Vol 2, Ch 4: The Book of Acts

Sermon Notes

HIS-STORY: The Bible in 18 Weeks

Volume II: The Old Testament Story

Chapter 4: The Book of Acts

1. Luke-Acts, a Two-Volume Work

2. The Author: Luke

      a. A Physician

      b. A. Missionary and Associate of the Apostle Paul

      c. A Gentile

      d. A Historian

3. The Recipient(s): Theophilus and the Church

4. Central Theme: The Unstoppable Progress of the Gospel (Acts 1:8)

      a. The geographical progress of the Gospel

      b. The ethnic progress of the Gospel

5. Luke’s Purpose: The Confirmation of the Gospel

6. Key Sub-Themes

      a. The Identity of Jesus the Messiah

      b. The Holy Spirit as empowering and guiding presence of God 

      c. Rejection by Many in Israel

      d. Salvation for the Gentiles

Study/Discussion Questions:

1. Why do we call Luke-Acts a single two-volume work?

2. What is the central theme of Acts?

3. Can you recall the two great movements (geographical and ethnic) in Acts?

4. How does the book of Acts respond to those who were saying that Jesus can’t be the Messiah since he was crucified and since the kingdom did not physically arrive?

5. How does the book of Acts respond to those who were saying Christianity can’t be true since the Jews rejected the message and since the church was becoming dominated by Gentiles?

6. In what ways are the early Christians in Acts a good model for us today?

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