The power of the holy spirit to perform signs and wonders to confirm the preaching of the word c. The same logic that had persuaded the jews earlier persuaded them now. We see people filled with the holy spirit, at pentecost acts 2. You will be my witnesses in jerusalem, and in all judea. Some commentators have outlined the book geographically, using a formula jesus gave his disciples. The term acts, from the greek word praxeis, refers to heroic exploits of outstanding men. Then look no more, rebecca has done it again with her newest down to earth book, awaken the spirit within. When it does, we need to break the cycle and get out of the rut were in. We read of the evangelistic methods and message of the early apostles and preachers 3. This exciting inductive study series brings readers faceto face with the truth of gods precepts, promises, and purposesin just minutes a day. The book of acts, then, is not a mere chronicle of events, but a portrayal of the kinds of people and kinds of things that were taking place in the early church william h. The scriptures in acts 9 only tell us that the holy spirit came upon saul. It might also be called the acts of the holy spirit, as that person of the godhead is very much an active participant throughout the book. The holy spirit in the book of acts preaching source.
The books of acts is often called the book of the holy spirit or the book of the apostles. Even that title, of course, was not original because acts was the second part of the gospel of luke. Book of acts read, study bible verses online bible study tools. Of the original 12 only peter, john, and philip are mentioned by name after chapter one. He had not only the power to preach but also the gift to present the gospel in a good. The real hero of the book of acts is the holy spirit. This is, in effect, an outline of the book of acts see plan and outline below. The book of acts was likely written between ad 61 and 64. Looking for a way out, looking for a brighter future and a. The holy spirits ministry explains the remarkable community of the early church. Acts sometimes called the 5th gospel, it is a continuation of the gospel of luke. Thus the earthly work of christ serves as a model of.
Holy spirit is the cornerstone of the acts of the apostles, attributed to the apostle luke. Preparation for the coming of the spirit, chapter 1. Wood currently serves as the general superintendent of the general council of the assemblies of god. Jan 01, 20 then look no more, rebecca has done it again with her newest down to earth book, awaken the spirit within.
The holy spirit as an active character in the book. The holy spirit unleashed in you acts 9780736908047 by. There are more references to the holy spirit in this one book than in all four of the gospels put together 54 times. The book of acts is an important book for understanding the actions of the apostles, mostly paul and peter, after jesuss ascension into heaven. Rapid evangelism resulting in the establishment of local churches. The life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. For assurance of our own salvation, we can compare our own conversion experience with those in acts. The holy spirit appears prominently in acts, so much so that the book has. Author though he does not mention himself by name, the author is undoubtedly luke, physician and frequent traveling companion of the apostle paul. Peter used the prophecy of joel to explain to the incredulous jews the holy spirit. There is nothing mentioned by the spirit about speaking in tongues, yet people.
The holy spirit speaks, leads, and guides in the book of acts. Acts tells us how the holy spirit came upon the church, and how the gospel spreads from jerusalem to rome. This is the way he has led us many times here at peninsula bible church. The emphasis of the book is the fulfillment of the great commission. Name from the time of the septuagint, this book has been called the acts of the apostles. He portrays the spirit as the activity and presence of god luke 4. The book of acts is a vital link between the gospels and the epistles. The baptism in the holy spirit means that one is immersed in the holy spirit and that one may be filled with the holy spirit. Evangelical commentary of the bible, edited by walter elwell, page 884.
The title refers to both the deeds of the apostles and the amazing advancement of the gospel. Author internal and external evidence point to luke as the spirit inspired author of acts. Brewster in partial fulfillment of the requirements for bibl364 liberty university online by robert ortiz jr. The holy spirit in the book of acts thesis statement the mighty acts of the holy spirit advancing the gospel moving upon and through the. May 15, 2019 like the work of an architect, pastor clark tackles the book of acts in this commentary seeking to give us the unique nuances in gods word to help the bible student grasp its simple yet profound truths. While peter emerges as the leader among christians at jerusalem, paul becomes the. The writer of acts portrayed the holy spirit as the source of spiritual power 1. Romans, with the next most references, has only 28. Acts 10 46 for they heard them speaking in other languages and declaring the greatness of god acts 19. The spirit enables us to understand gods truth and empowers us for service john 16. Lynchburg, virginia august 17, 2012 table of contents introduction 2 the coming filling of the holy spirit 2 the holy spirit speaks. Let us instead seek to attune ourselves to the person of the holy spirit and his nature, character, and ways of engaging with the human community.
Perhaps the most pervasive theme of acts in the role of the holy spirit in the lives and journeys of the disciples. The holy spirit at work in believers global university. In addition, there are topical studies on issues such as spiritual leadership, gods redemptive plan, and old testament character studies. The holy spirit in the book of acts essay 1715 words. Make sure you are thoroughly versed in all related bible texts. In the american standard version of acts there are fiftysix references to the holy. Acts tells us that the filling of the holy spirit is not a onetime occurrence. The person and work of the holy spirit an outline for bible. 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.
This book has been entitled acts or the acts of the apostles since at least ad 150. Color map map of the new testament world this map reveals the nations within the ancient world during the first century a. Acts of the holy spirit very few of jesus 12 apostles feature in the story. It records that he performed many signs and wonders to validate the ministry of the apostles and other early church leaders. The holy spirit in the book of acts thesis statement the mighty acts of the holy spirit advancing the gospel moving upon and through the church is amazing in its detail throughout this book. Rebecca does a great job giving instruction to all levels of mediums or nonmediums. The book of acts tells us much about how those who sought to follow christ received the holy spirit. It is interesting to note that thirty minutes after pentecost the apostles knew more about christ than they.
Luke carefully records the spread of christianity in the roman world, sometimes as an eyewitness. We can develop a good view of the role of the holy spirit in our lives when reading this book. As said by the scholar guthrie, god is seen to be active in the early church through the spirits power. In the book of acts, we discover how gods multiethnic, international church grew. Matthew resurrection mark ascension luke promise of the holy spirit john promise of the second coming the great missionary commission given in the 4 gospels is confirmed in acts. Twelftree luke, who allegedly wrote a gospel and the acts of the apostles, has more to say about the spirit than any other biblical writer does. The book of acts begins with the outpouring of gods promised holy spirit on the day of pentecost. How to recognize the guidance of god, how to know the directions of life, and to find the will of the holy spirit in these matters.
One finds embedded in acts a record of christian defenses made to both jews e. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. Acts of the apostles executable outline study resources. Luke described to theophilus in his first letter about jesus life up to the resurrection. We use your linkedin profile and activity data to personalize ads and to show you more relevant ads. Ward read more about spiritual life growth, christian living, and faith. And in the baptism of 3,000 people described in acts 2, luke did not mention. Jesus sends the holy spirit to empower his disciples as they carry the good. This is the story of christianitys beginnings and how evangelism played. Acts records the apostles being christs witnesses in jerusalem, judea, samaria, and the surrounding world. The holy spirit plays a key role in the acts of the apostles, leading to the use of the titles book. The earliest title for the book seems to have been simply the acts.
Outline studies in the book of the acts of the apostles. Acts continues from there on starting with christs resurrection. We believe that it is by the grace of our lord jesus that we are saved. One may divide the book as acts 112 peter and acts 28 paul. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. He attributed jesuss success in ministryparticularly in training the apostles and performing healingsto the work of the spirit 1. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is god, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the spirit ii corinthians 5.
It also may be divided around the expansion of the gospel in acts 1. The son of missionary parents, he pastored newportmesa christian center in costa. We find examples of the recurring filling of our lords people throughout the book of acts. The book of acts was written to provide a history of the early church.
As a result, the preaching of the gospel and the witness of the newly formed church sparks a flame that spreads across the roman empire. We have come in our study of acts to the point where the gospel begins to go out to judea and samaria. The lord jesus christ at work by the holy spirit through the apostles in jerusalem, chapters 17. Luke records many examples of conversion in the book of acts e. Luke traces that pattern of the spread of the gospel in the following way. Study of acts discussion notes chapter 3 introduction we previously discussed the fact that the holy spirit is in fact christ dwelling in us and among us.
Color map map of the new testament world this map reveals the nations within the ancient world during the. The book of genesis records the origin of the physical universe. Then he outlined geographically how that witness should proceed, beginning in. According to the book of acts, after his shipwreck on the island of malta acts 28 he came to italy and was put on house arrest for two years acts 28.
The book of acts tells how the multiethnic, international church grew. Purpose of the book as indicated previously, the original purpose of both the gospel and acts may have been to assist. The life and teachings of jesus christ are established in the four gospel narratives, and the book of acts provides a coordinated account of the beginning and spread of the church as the result of the work of the risen lord and the holy spirit through the apostles. The holy spirit at work in believers independent study textbook. The foundation of the holy spirit outline and audio sermon. She included in the book meditations and teach us to ask the archangels for help. Acts 8 18 when simon saw that the holy spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, give me this power too, so that anyone i lay hands on may receive the holy spirit. Acts records the origin of the spiritual body which we designate as the church. The thirteenth chapter is a turning point in the book. But you shall receive power when the holy spirit has come upon you. It is an important book in understanding how we can be directed by the holy spirit and the role of jesus lessons in our lives. Like the work of an architect, pastor clark tackles the book of acts in this commentary seeking to give us the unique nuances in gods word to help the bible student grasp its simple yet profound truths. The book of acts records the beginning of the church, the birth of the church. Mar 10, 2012 the book of acts, then, is not a mere chronicle of events, but a portrayal of the kinds of people and kinds of things that were taking place in the early church william h.
The thirteenth chapter is a turning point in the book of acts. Acts of the apostles 4 imprisonment in rome are 6062 a. According to lee, the book of acts refers to the formative history of the early church, while establishing luke as a charismatic theologian who demonstrates that baptism in the holy spirit is an experience of empowering to facilitate the mission of the church. The holy spirit in the book of acts essay 2476 words bartleby. Looking for a way out, looking for a brighter future and a new design for living. The sign of christs power and guidance is the presence of the holy spirit in that new. Content includes book studies on luke, ephesians, thessalonians, james, 1 samuel, john, and acts. Internal evidence is found largely in the we sections of the book. This article shows that these references are integral elements in the narrative of acts, presenting the holy spirit as an active character or participant in the events it reports.
It describes him as the one that empowers the church to live transformed lives and to evangelize the world. Author internal and external evidence point to luke as the spiritinspired author of acts. Ideal for individual study, oneonone discipleship, group discussions, and quarterly classes. The book of acts presents a rich theology of the holy spirit. It shows how the early church coped with pagan and jewish thought, the roman government and hellenistic society. Liberty university the holy spirit in the book of acts a research paper submitted to professor p. This is a book written to those with a broken or lost spirit.
Sep 02, 2015 acts of the holy spirit very few of jesus 12 apostles feature in the story. Just as god poured out his spirit on the disciples on the day of pentecost, god comes to us in wind and flames. The missionary call of barnabas and saul, recorded in the thirteenth chapter of the book of acts is replete with practical helps in a problem that bothers many christians. It is the holy spirit that leads and empowers the amazing expansion of the gospel from jerusalem to rome. The main characteristics and structure of the acts of the. Some have suggested, however, that not the acts of the apostles who have no major importance in the book but the acts of the. In just the second chapter of the book, the holy spirit plays a. The context of the unpardonable sin is best described in this passage. If the book was just before or after pauls release, then it was likely written around 63 a.
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