Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Acts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. Stay strong. Live in the Spirit. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming…
Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 1 of the book of Acts. Read it with the thought in mind that this is the first display of the power of the Holy Spirit working through man – aside from Christ, that is. Imagine what the Spirit can do through you if you let Him! Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
Author is believed to be Luke – companion of Paul, physician, author of the gospel of Luke. Possibly written in AD 63 since the author is silent about significant events such as the burning of Rome and persecution of Christians in AD 64, the martyrdom of Peter and Paul in AD 67 (?), the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, and the outcome of Paul’s trial. But could have been written in AD 70 or later. (NIVSB)
A disciple assimilates what he learns as part of himself. Are we merely believers? Or believing disciples of Christ?
God can prune through His Word. This is easier and less painful for us than being pruned through circumstances. God MUST work in us before He can work through us! Rejoice in God’s plan – whatever it is!
Luke and Acts each cover about 33 years.
Some scholars call this book the Acts of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit unites. If we seek Him in the Spirit, we’ll be in agreement. The same Spirit won’t lead us in different directions.
ALL of the apostles gave up their lives for Jesus – 11 to the death.
1:1 – Theophilus – “one who loves God” – may have been a Roman official and/or a publisher for Luke’s book.
teach – to influence understanding aimed at shaping the will of the student.
1:2 – giving instructions – more than a decree.
1:3 – convincing proofs – some translations say infallible proofs.
1:4-8 – We need power. (Explore the Bible, Adult Learner Guide, Summer 2008, Acts)
1:4 – promised – immersed, submerged, overwhelmed.
We need the Holy Spirit’s power to accomplish God’s plan for our lives and the great commission of sharing the gospel with others.
1:5 – believers now receive the Holy Spirit (and are baptized by Him) at the moment of conversion. See 1 Corinthians 12:12-13.
1:6 – see Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; 1 Corinthians 12:13.
1:7 – times – physical time.
Dates – quality.
1:8 – what does a witness do? He tells what he has seen or what he knows.
1:10 – are these the same two angels who guarded Christ’s body before He was resurrected?
1:15 – There were about 120 believers together in that place. What is about to happen is the birth of the NT church. Each of these 120 believers would soon have a tongue of fire above their head, making this room light up and look like a huge birthday cake with each believer representing a candle!
1:20 – may his place be deserted… - Peter doesn’t quote Psalm 69:25 perfectly. We don’t need to get it perfect! According to verse 8, our job is to be a witness for Christ! What does a witness do? See notes for verse 8.
1:21 – the two candidates had been with Christ the whole time.
• The book of Acts teaches us much about what the Holy Spirit is capable of doing through a mortal life. What have you learned about how He wants to work through you today? What will you do to give up a bit of control to Him?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
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