His-Story Vol 2, Ch 4: The Book of Acts
Sermon Notes
HIS-STORY: The Bible in 18 Weeks
Volume II: The Old Testament Story
Chapter 4: The Book of Acts
1. Luke-Acts, a Two-Volume Work
2. The Author: Luke
a. A Physician
b. A. Missionary and Associate of the Apostle Paul
c. A Gentile
d. A Historian
3. The Recipient(s): Theophilus and the Church
4. Central Theme: The Unstoppable Progress of the Gospel (Acts 1:8)
a. The geographical progress of the Gospel
b. The ethnic progress of the Gospel
5. Luke’s Purpose: The Confirmation of the Gospel
6. Key Sub-Themes
a. The Identity of Jesus the Messiah
b. The Holy Spirit as empowering and guiding presence of God
c. Rejection by Many in Israel
d. Salvation for the Gentiles
Study/Discussion Questions:
Why do we call Luke-Acts a single two-volume work?
What is the central theme of Acts?
Can you recall the two great movements (geographical and ethnic) in Acts?
How does the book of Acts respond to those who were saying that Jesus can’t be the Messiah since he was crucified and since the kingdom did not physically arrive?
How does the book of Acts respond to those who were saying Christianity can’t be true since the Jews rejected the message and since the church was becoming dominated by Gentiles?
In what ways are the early Christians in Acts a good model for us today?
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Mark Strauss is University Professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary San Diego, where he has served since 1993. Mark has a heart for ministry and preaches and teaches regularly at churches, conferences and college campuses.