The Author

The book begins with a reference to the “Former account” written to a man by the name of Theophilus, which gives clear reference to Luke 1:3. This identifies the author of the Gospel account with this book; thus we recognize Luke as the author of the book of Acts.

About the author

He was a physician who met Paul in Troas. He cared for Paul during his illness there. Following this he traveled with Paul a great deal.

Date of the book

The book was written around 60 A.D.

Evidence:

• Does not record Paul’s death
• Does not speak to the burning of Rome under Nero in 64 A.D
• Does not speak to the fall of Rome in 70 A.D.

Purpose of the book

The Book of Acts provides:

• A condensed history of the early church
• An eyewitness account of the miraculous spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Rome
• Details how the Holy Spirit enabled Christ’s followers to bear witness throughout the world
• Shows that this power is available to the church today

This book is called “The Acts of the Apostles”. It is sometimes referred to as “The Acts of the Holy Spirit”.

What can we expect to gain from this study?

• A greater understanding of the workings of God in and through His people
• A strong witness of the power of the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of an individual
• A fuller understanding of the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection

The Book of Acts

• The Apostles witness in Jerusalem (Acts 1:1-6:7)
  • The acts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1-26)
    • The prologue of the book (Acts 1:1-11)
      • The Book of Acts builds on the Book of Luke
        • Luke gives us the life of Christ on earth
        • Acts tells us of the working of the Holy Spirit because of what Christ did
    • Jesus’ last instructions (Acts 1:4-8)
      • Wait for God’s promise to come (Acts 1:4)
        • Water baptism is a witness to identify with Jesus
        • Spirit baptism is a work of the empowerment to do the work of God
        • The promise is found in Luke 3:16
      • A clarification (Acts 1:6-7)
        • Notice what their anticipation was – reestablish David’s throne very soon)
      • A promise (Acts 1:8)
        • Power through the Holy Spirit
        • Accomplish God’s plan by the spread of the Gospel message
    • Jesus’ last instructions (Acts 1:9-11)
      • The messengers and their message
        • This same Jesus
        • In the same way
• The preparation period (Acts 1:12-26)
  • Obedience (Acts 1:12)
    • Waiting is not lost time
  • Unity (Acts 1:14)
    • More translations say “They joined together in one accord” meaning the same mind
  • Prayer
  • Selection (Acts 1:15-26)
    • The Judas issue
      • Here we have some detail concerning Judas’ fate not told otherwise (Acts 1:16-20)
      • Speaks of removal of the Psalmist’s enemy (Psalm 69:25)
      • Speaks of the replacement of that person (Psalm 109:8)
      • The Disciples applied this teaching of David to their situation
    • The criteria for replacement (Acts 1:21-22)
      • The person had to have been with Jesus and the disciples from the beginning (Jesus baptism)
      • Had to be an eyewitness to Jesus’ resurrection
    • The process
      • A typical Jewish practice of placing a name on a stone. The stones are placed in a jar and shaken until one falls out. That was the chosen one. Not by chance, but by God’s sovereignty.