The Early Acts Series: Acts 1

Dr. Michael Erickson

Introduction

• The book of Acts is Luke’s sequel to his gospel.

• It is the story of the beginning of the early church.

• “Acts of the Apostles” contains for the most part the ministries of Peter and Paul.

• Stephen and Philip are spoken of more than the apostles.

Introduction

• The central messages are the beginning of the early church, the coming of the Holy Spirit, Peter’s ministry and Paul’s three missionary journeys.

• The book of Luke, Acts, Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon were written during the time of Acts 28 while Paul was in prison in Rome.

Introduction

• The Holy Spirit is central to the story of the book of Acts, and is mentioned more than fifty times.

• The Holy Spirit and the experiences all point to the initial experience in Acts chapter 2.

• The book of Acts covers a history of less that 35 years after the resurrection of Christ.

• During which time most of the NT was completed.

Introduction

• The book of Acts contains sermons by Peter, Stephen and Paul.

• The book of Acts gives us the introduction and early history of the Apostle Paul who becomes the focus of the book from chapters 13-28

• Chapters 1-12 before Apostle Paul are called the “Early Acts” covering 3-5 years.

The Early Acts Series: Acts 1

• Acts 1:1-3 The research of Dr. Luke for Theophilus.

• Luke 1:1-4 An account from eyewitnesses.

• Luke was a gentile converted under the ministry of the Apostle Paul. Who started on Paul’s missionary team in Acts 16:10 “we”.

• Because Luke is the author of Acts, the Apostle Paul is the main focus of the book.

The Early Acts Series: Acts 1

• Acts 1:4-5 The promised Holy Spirit.

• Jesus commanded them to wait for the gift, the promised Holy Spirit.

• The phrase Jesus used to describe the experience in Acts 2 was “baptized with the Holy Spirit”.

• “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” is Acts 2 with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

The Early Acts Series: Acts 1

• Acts 1:6-7 The question about Christ’s return.

• The disciples were constantly looking for the return of the Danielic and Davidic Kingdoms.

• Danielic Kingdom is a spiritual kingdom described in Daniel.

• Davidic Kingdom is the physical kingdom promised to David’s line.

The Early Acts Series: Acts 1

• Acts 1:8 The power of the Holy Spirit.

• The word for power DUNAMAIS where we get the words “dynamite” and “dynamic”.

• Power to change, power to influence, power for miracles and the demonstration of the Spirit.

• 1 Corinthians 2:4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.

The Early Acts Series: Acts 1

• This is the central verse of the book of Acts that points to the fulfillment of the mission.

• By the time of Acts 28 the essence of this verse had come to completion.

• The early Apostles in Jerusalem and Judea Acts chapters 1-7, Philip in Samaria in chapter 8 and Paul “to the ends of the earth” chapters 13-28.

The Early Acts Series: Acts 1

• Acts 1:9-12 The Ascension of Jesus Christ.

• The Ascension of Christ is the last act of the physical Christ on the earth, and the first act of the glorified Christ in heaven.

• Ascended to the right hand of the Father.

• Our High Priest, our intercessor, the position of Christ in the book of Hebrews.

• The glorified Christ in Revelation.

The Early Acts Series: Acts 1

• Acts 1:13-14 The Twelve Apostles plus other noted pillars of the early church.

• Three sets of brothers, a father and son, all from Galilee except for Judas.

• After the betrayal of Christ those followers of Christ changed their names Judas to Jude. So “Judas son of James” is the same person as “Jude Thaddeus”.

The Early Acts Series: Acts 1

• Acts 1:15-26 The New Apostle.

• This passage includes the qualifications of the exclusive group called “The Twelve Apostles” which Paul calls “The Super Apostles” in II Corinthians 11:5 and 12:11

• After Matthias was named to replace Judas the apostolic group was closed.

The Early Acts Series: Acts 1

Dr. Michael Erickson