The book of acts describes the spread of the gospel throughout the known world of the first century and the. The book of acts gives the history of the christian church and the spread of the gospel of jesus christ, as well as the mounting opposition to it. The spirit empowers gods people to fulfil the command of jesus to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth, and in this fastpaced section of the bible we see the growth of the church. The ending of the book of acts and writing volume 3. The apostles are to be christs witnesses, beginning in jerusalem, but eventually proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth which, from the focus of the book of acts, we understand to be rome, the capital of the empire dominating the mediterranean world. To the ends of the earth the bible speaks today stott, j. Nov 09, 20 the apostles are to be christs witnesses, beginning in jerusalem, but eventually proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth which, from the focus of the book of acts, we understand to be rome, the capital of the empire dominating the mediterranean world. An orienting vocation for the kingdom of god acts 1. Chapters focus on a key verse, and include definitions of unfamiliar terms and concepts. The global message of acts acts and redemptive history.
Acts is the book that reveals the power of the church. The acts of the apostles church leadership resources. After the resurrection, jesus appears to the disciples. In fact, the story doesnt end at the end of the book of acts. John chrysostom found it to be repletewith christian wisdom and sound doctrine to guide believers. With study guide the bible speaks today new testament 2rev ed by john stott isbn. And this kind of blessing continued throughout the book of acts. Its narrative supplies a bridge connecting the life and ministry of jesus to the life of the church and the witness of the earliest believers. The book of acts begins in jerusalem, the capital city of the jews, but ends in rome, the capital city of the gentiles. The ends of the earth is the ends of the earth in acts 2. Nothing is more prominent in acts than the spread of the gospel. Apr 12, 2019 acts is the story of gods grace flooding out to the world, from the cross and resurrection of jesus in jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
This sixweek series examines the remarkable spread of the gospel and the kingdom of god from. Luke had no way of knowing how long the church would continue on this earth, but as long as it pursues its course, the book of acts will be one of its major guides. The ends of the earth is the whole of the inhabited world the ultimate limits of civilisation. Lukes second volume, the book of acts, continues the story of the gospels spread. Ken schurb will take you through the book of acts, following paul to the ends of the earth in his proclamation of the good news. Rome was not seen in lukes day as the edge of the known world, and so the reader would know very well that jesus mission to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth acts 1. Bruce milne acts is an exciting story of church growth despite inner problems and outward conflict. The book of acts is one of the most exciting parts of the whole bible. To the ends of the earth is an indepth bible curriculum for the book of acts. What acts teaches us about the advancement of the gospel jesus said this to his followers before his ascension. To the ends of the earth 50 undated bible readings. The book of acts is the second volume of the gospel of luke.
Indeed, the entire book of acts can be taken as a sometimes faltering expression of the christian vocation to bear witness to the risen jesus. Acts recalls us to a radically selfless gospel whose mission is to reach the ends of the earth, he writes. Be challenged by the early church and impact your world for christ. Le peau is an area director for intervarsity christian fellowship serving in the chicago metro area. You will discover how the spirit that empowered the first believers is. But bearing witness means far more than evangelizing. This colorful book employs a variety of exercises to help students remember key points and elements during the birth and early expansion of the church. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. The structure of each individually and the pair together can be imagined through the geography of the story. Although many would suggest other titles, this one has merit because.
This second edition of salvation to the ends of the earth emphasizes the way in which the bible presents a continuing narrative of the story of gods missionranging from the story of israel to the story of jesus and that. This book is titled the acts of the apostles, or more literally acts of apostles. In my own context, i always thought of pentecost as the celebratory feast that, indeed was bringing our christian faith full circle. These 12 inductive bible studies lead you through the second half of acts. Here is a summary and overview of the book of acts. 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. Both a student workbook and teachers guide are available. Earle ellis southwestern baptist theological seminary i as has long been recognized, the book of acts was organized to depict, among other things, the geographical progress of the christian message from jerusalem through judea and samaria to the lands of. The book ends with paul in rome, preaching in his own hired house, chained day and night to a roman guard, unable to get out, unable to pursue the evangelizing of the ends of the earth as his heart longed to do limited, fettered, bound and yet, as he writes to the philippians, his heart overflowing with the consciousness that though he. The beginning of acts reveals many of the books key themes. Even though it is designed as a onesemester course for 7th or 8th grade students in christian schools, it can also be used by all ages and in other settings. Gods power at the ends of the earth christian bible. A biblical theology of mission new studies in biblical theology no.
With animated maps to truly encompass the geographical and historical context of pauls journeys, rev. Puzzles and scramble activities are included as well for a little variety and fun. Jesus promises a geographic expansion at the outset acts 1. For one thing, it offers us a convenient outline for the book of acts. Why does the book of acts end in such a lame manner. This study guide for the second part of acts covers pauls three missionary journeys, as he and his coworkers follow jesus call to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. The author, luke, picks up right where his gospel left off and gives us a historical picture of both the explosive outward growth and extraordinary inward transformation of the early church right before leaving the disciples, jesus tells them. The acts of the apostles, the second volume of lukes twovolume work, continues lukes presentation of biblical history, describing how the salvation promised to israel in the old testament and accomplished by jesus has now under the guidance of the holy spirit been extended to the gentiles. Jesus has ascended to heaven, the spirit has come to the church and we see god at work. So they said, believe on the lord jesus christ, and you will be saved. As we have seen, peters sermon on the day of pentecost expanded the church from about 120 people to over 3,000 people. Acts is thoroughly missional, steve walton notes, for it is focused on gods mission, as god draws people into.
We are pleased to announce a new book by our longtime friend and mentor dr. Oct 23, 2006 im sure there are many theories as to why luke ends the book of acts in this way, but heres one good reason the ending fits. Beginning in jerusalemacts 17 judea and samariaacts 812 ends of the earthacts 28. Discover what the book of acts is really all about. In september, well be starting a new sermon series in one of the most dramatic narratives in all of scripture. This is, in effect, an outline of the book of acts see plan and outline below. You will be my witnesses in jerusalem, and in all judea and samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Instead, it repeatedly calls us to reflect upon the work of god, fulfilled in jesus christ, establishing the church by the power of the holy spirit. In verse 4, luke quotes jesus as saying something that seems counterintuitive at first glance, given the urgency of their task. As has long been recognized, the book of acts was organized to depict, among other things, the geographical progress of the christian message from jerusalem. Jun 05, 2017 in my own context, i always thought of pentecost as the celebratory feast that, indeed was bringing our christian faith full circle.
The book begins with the ascension of jesus and goes on through pauls jail time in rome, which opens his ministry to the church at rome. The bible and early expansion of the church, student workbook. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywherein jerusalem, throughout judea, in samaria, and to the ends of the earth. But youll receive power when the holy spirit comes on you, and youll be my witnesses in jerusalem, in all judea and samaria, and to the ends of the earth. These and many other topics are handled with a pastoral heart and an unwavering commitment to the authority of gods word in our lives.
The book of acts institute for faith and learning baylor. Gods power at the ends of the earth the spirit that empowered the first believers is still working in your life and ministry. As stott concludes, the acts of the apostles have long ago finished. The saving mission of jesus constitutes the foundation for christian mission, and the christian gospel is its message. It begins with the ministry of peter, apostle to the jews, but ends with the ministry of paul, apostle to the gentiles see gal. It reminds us that the ends of the earth can be in a land far away, or among the socially marginalized neighbors who live in our shadows every moment. In this book we see the first mention of the dispensation of the holy spirit and jesus command to take his gospel to all the world. Apr 01, 2019 rome was not seen in lukes day as the edge of the known world, and so the reader would know very well that jesus mission to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth acts 1. I realized much later that in other parts of the world, however, the message of a universal conversion, the conversion of every nation to the ends of the earth, may resonate differently. The author, luke, picks up right where his gospel left off and gives us a historical picture of both the explosive outward growth and extraordinary inward transformation. The book of acts provides a detailed, orderly, eyewitness account of the birth and growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel immediately after the resurrection of jesus christ.
To continue learning about pauls missionary journeys as documented in the book of acts, check out bringing the gospel to the ends of the earth. Jul 10, 2014 the book of acts does not primarily provide us with human patterns to emulate or avoid. Then, on the day of pentecost, god established a pattern for world missions that continues to this day. Acts is thoroughly missional, steve walton notes, for it is focused on gods mission, as god draws people into his orbit and brings them into.
As jesus instructed his disciples on their mission, he corrected their preoccupation with self, directing their focus instead toward the expansion of his kingdom. Luke uses three successive phrases to describe the spread of the gospel in the first few decades of the christian church. Although many faithful servants were used to preach and teach the gospel of jesus christ. What acts teaches us about the advancement of the gospel. This is our last episode for now in our series on the book of acts and luke. These phrases fit nicely into the overall plan of this book. In this book, the principles of the exchanged life not i, but christ is. To understand luke it is necessary to understand acts and viceversa. In acts we see basic principles being applied to specific situations in the context of problems and persecutions. The bible and early expansion of the church, student workbook 97815833125. But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you.
Acts sermon series the book of acts from ministry pass. But you will 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 end of the earth. This is our last episode for now in our series on the book of acts and. But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes on you. Intro to acts biblica the international bible society. Im sure there are many theories as to why luke ends the book of acts in this way, but heres one good reason the ending fits. Therefore, when a church begins to dwindle, lose its power, and turn dull and drab in its witness, it needs desperately to get back into the spirit, expectation, knowledge and teaching of the book of acts. Jan 09, 2020 to continue learning about pauls missionary journeys as documented in the book of acts, check out bringing the gospel to the ends of the earth.
807 885 1030 1521 560 1427 1635 948 112 310 131 982 415 538 275 453 975 1190 1109 167 1302 57 1406 381 784 657 10 483 659 112 87 735 841 607 1457 586 938 926 1013 1216 95 676 254