Witnesses of the Faith The Acts of the Apostles “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 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” (Acts 1:7-8). A 26-week Interactive Study by Jason Hardin (Part 1 of 2) Copyright © 2007 by Jason Hardin. All Rights Reserved. Please visit www.InGodsImage.com and go to the “Workbooks” section for reprinting requests. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version. Maps and diagrams courtesy of: Nelson’s Complete Book Of Bible Maps And Charts–Revised and Updated Edition What The Bible Is All About Resources: Reproducible Maps, Charts, Time Lines & Illustrations Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary Source material taken from: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Acts (Gareth L. Reese) – College Press Acts Of The Apostles With Notes By Alexander Campbell – Old Paths Book Club Jesus And The Victory Of God (N. T. Wright) – Fortress Press New Commentary On Acts Of Apostles (J. W. McGarvey) – Gospel Light Publishing Company The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today (Everett Ferguson) – Eerdmans Publishing The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Craig S. Keener) – InterVarsity Press The New Testament And The People Of God (N. T. Wright) – Fortress Press The Pulpit Commentary: Acts & Romans (Edited by Spence and Exell) – Hendrickson Publishers The Temple: Its Ministry and Services – Updated Edition (Alfred Edersheim) Truth Commentaries: The Book of Acts (Johnny Stringer) – Guardian of Truth Foundation Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (Clinton E. Arnold, General Editor) Contents How To Use This Workbook .................................................................................................... 4 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 5 Outline Of The Book Of Acts .................................................................................. 9 2. Speaking about the kingdom of God (1:1-3) ................................................................. 13 3. You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit (1:4-5) .......................................................... 16 4. You will be My witnesses (1:6-26) ................................................................................ 20 Map: The Spread of the Gospel ............................................................................ 21 5. Men of Israel, hear these words (2:1-41) ...................................................................... 24 Map: Countries of People Mentioned at Pentecost ................................................. 25 6. Praising God and having favor with all the people (2:42-47) ........................................ 28 7. We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard (3:1-4:31) ................................ 33 Diagram: Herod’s Temple ................................................................................... 34 8. Those who believed were of one heart and soul (4:32-5:11) ........................................ 39 9. We must obey God rather than men (5:12-42) .............................................................. 43 10. Pick out from among you seven men (6:1-7) ................................................................ 48 11. Stephen, full of grace and power (6:8-7:60) .................................................................. 52 12. Those who were scattered went about preaching the word (8:1-40) ........................... 56 Map: Philip’s and Peter’s Missionary Journeys ....................................................... 57 13. Saul, why are you persecuting Me? (9:1-22) .................................................................. 61 Map: Roman Damascus ...................................................................................... 62 Witnesses of the Faith: A Study of the Acts of the Apostles 3 How To Use This Workbook Welcome to Witnesses of the Faith, a 26-week study of The Acts of the Apostles. Before you go any further, let me say just a few words about the pages in front of you. This workbook is designed to function as more than simply a collection of “Fill-In-The- Blank” and “True-False” questions. The intention is that this booklet would serve as a 6-month interactive companion as you walk with the Lord through the exciting and pivotal book of Acts. To encourage personal thought and application, you’ll find a number of features throughout this workbook. Getting Into The Word: at the beginning of each lesson, this icon will indicate the portion of Scripture under consideration, a schedule for the daily reading of Scripture, and a brief summary of the lesson. You Are Here: we study the Bible, not just to familiarize ourselves with facts, but to learn how to more fully conform ourselves into the image of God’s Son. Whenever you see this icon, you’ll find practical pointers or questions that will orient the Biblical text in a direction of personal application. Markers Along The Way: this icon indicates that a little bit of time needs to be taken to explore some principle or passage of Scripture beyond the book of Acts. The goal is that reading and interpreting other key texts of the Bible will help us come to a deeper understanding of the message of Acts. Dig A Little Deeper: at times, insight into the original meaning of a word or phrase can help us more fully understand the context of a passage. This icon indicates important information that directly relates to the Biblical text. Finally, each lesson concludes with the A-C-T-S acronym. Use this opportunity to make your study even more personal. Read the Biblical text with the goal of discovering reasons for: A - doration: God is worthy of my adoration and praise because... C - aution: this passage has reminded me to take caution in... T - rust: my trust in the Almighty has grown because... S - trength: I was particularly helped and encouraged by... To God be the glory, Jason Hardin Witnesses of the Faith: A Study of the Acts of the Apostles 4 - Week 1 - Introduction To The Book Of Acts The first three lessons of our study are extremely important, serving as a foundation for the remainder of the book of Acts. If you’ve looked ahead, you’ve already noted that we aren’t covering much textual ground of Acts in the first three lessons. However, our daily reading plan for the next three weeks takes us through the entire book of Acts to help us grasp “the big picture” before honing in on the details. Day One: Acts 1:1-26 Day Four: Acts 4:32-6:7 Day Two: Acts 2:1-47 Day Five: Acts 6:8-7:60 Day Three: Acts 3:1-4:31 Day Six: Acts 8:1-9:43 Acts picks up where the Gospels left off, recording the early progress of Jesus’ disciples as they spread the “good news” from Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, to the most remote corners of the known world. The story begins with Christ’s ascension and the events of Pentecost. As Gentiles begin responding to the gospel, the focus shifts to Paul and his missionary journeys. Acts forms a bridge between the four Gospels and the rest of the New Testament, showing how the apostles carried on Jesus’ work and providing a historical background for Romans through Revelation. Author and Authenticity The book of Acts is the second of a two-volume set addressed to Theophilus and written by one of Paul’s associates named Luke, “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14). The author of Acts was a companion of Paul on many of his journeys, as implied by his use of the word “we” (Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16). Luke was with Paul during his imprisonment in Rome (2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 24). In his letter to the Colossians, Paul seems to imply that Luke was a Gentile. He names those “of the circumcision” (Jews) who were with him (Colossians 4:7-11), then names others–including Luke–as distinct from those of the circumcision (Colossians 4:12-14). A number of references to the book of Acts in early Christian literature indicate that the work was recognized as authoritative: • Allusions appear in the epistle to Diognetus (130 A.D.) and the Didache (140 A.D.) • The words of Stephen, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them,” appear in the Epistle of the Churches of Vienne and Lyon (177 A.D.). • Irenaeus (180 A.D.) and Clement of Alexandria (190 A.D.) quote from Acts, the latter citing Paul’s speech in Athens. • Tertullian (200 A.D.), Eusebius (325 A.D.), and Jerome (400 A.D.) also quote Acts. Witnesses of the Faith: A Study of the Acts of the Apostles 5 Confirming Luke as the author of Acts, the Muratorian Canon (170 A.D.) has this note: But the Acts of all the Apostles were written in one volume. Luke compiled for “most excellent Theophilus” what things were done in detail in his presence, as he plainly shows by omitting both the deaths of Peter and also the departure of Paul from the city, when he departed for Spain. Irenaeus (180 A.D.) wrote, referencing Acts 15:39, 16:8ff, and 20:6: And that Luke was inseparable from Paul, and his fellow-worker in the gospel, he himself shows; not indeed boasting of it, but impelled by truth itself. For, says he, when Barnabas and John who was called Mark separated from Paul, and they sailed to Cyprus, “we came to Troas”; and when Paul had seen in a dream a man of Macedonia, saying, “Come over into Macedonia and help us, Paul,” immediately, says he, “We endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them”; therefore, “loosing from Troas, we came in a straight course to Samothrace.” And then he carefully relates all the rest of their course till they arrived in Philippi, and how they spoke their first discourse. “And we sat down,” says he, “and spake to the women that resorted thither”; and who believed, and how many. And again, he says, “And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came to Troas, where we abode seven days.” And many other things he relates in order while he was with Paul. Clement of Alexandria (190 A.D.) wrote, “As Luke, in the Acts of the Apostles, records Paul to have said, ‘Ye men of Athens...’” Tertullian (200 A.D.) quotes Acts 2:15 and says that Luke wrote it. Eusebius (325 A.D.) tells us that “Luke has left us two inspired volumes – the Gospel and the Acts. Date According to Acts 1:1, this book was written after the third Gospel had been compiled. Luke’s Gospel is conservatively dated in A.D. 60, since Paul’s two years in prison at Caesarea (which ended in 60 A.D.) would have given Luke the time needed to examine the eyewitnesses to what the Gospel records (Luke 1:1-4). The narrative of Acts concludes with Paul under house arrest in Rome (A.D. 62). The final sentence states that he had lived there for two years. The abrupt ending of the narrative may indicate that the book was written at that time (i.e., Luke recorded all the events that had happened up to the time he wrote). Luke does not tell us about Paul’s death because, it appears, Paul was not put to death at this time. The so called “pastoral” epistles seem to indicate that Paul was released from the first Roman imprisonment and traveled extensively. In this sense, the book of Acts does tell (indirectly) what happened to Paul. He had waited two years for his prosecutors from Palestine to come. History tells us that if a man’s accusers didn’t come within two years time, the ancient practice Witnesses of the Faith: A Study of the Acts of the Apostles 6 of the courts was to allow the accused to go free. The accusers themselves could be put to death if they brought a false case, or if Caesar thought they had wasted his time in the court. The Jews hadn’t been able to prove their case in Palestinian courts that might have been more inclined to be favorable to them. How could they expect to prove their case before Caesar in Rome? It seems likely that Paul’s accusers just weren’t willing to risk their own necks to prosecute the case in Rome. Furthermore, the epistles written from the first Roman imprisonment sound as if Paul expected to soon be free (Philemon 22; Philippians 1:24-26). The simplest explanation seems to be that the prosecutors didn’t arrive, and after Paul had waited the two years, he was released from his first Roman imprisonment. About that time (A.D. 63-64), Luke wrote Acts from Rome. Such would seem to harmonize with the fact that Acts gives us no hint of the persecution under Nero (A.D. 64), Paul’s death (c. A.D. 68), or the destruction of Jerusalem (A.D. 70). Themes and Purpose Luke 1:3-4 offers a clue to the author’s purpose: to provide “an orderly account...that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” Luke was a researcher and chronicler of events for the benefit of his friend Theophilus. By the providence of God, his work has provided priceless insight and information for the general reader, even thousands of years later. Each section of Acts (chs. 1-7; 8-12; 13-28) focuses on a particular audience, a key personality, and a significant phase in the expansion of the gospel message. Jesus’ expectation was plain: “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth” (1:8). This is the story of the men and women who took that commission seriously and began to spread “the good news” throughout the known world. Focus Witnesses in Witnesses in Witnesses to the Jerusalem Judea and Samaria end of the earth Reference 1:1 -------- 3:1 -------------- 8:5 -------------------------------------- 13:1 ------------- 21:17 ---- 28:31 Division Power of Progress of Expansion of the church Paul’s three Paul’s trials the church the church journeys Jews Samaritans Gentiles Topic Peter Philip Paul Location Jerusalem Judea and Samaria Ends of the known earth Time 2 years (A.D. 33-35) 13 years (A.D. 35-48) 14 years (A.D. 48-62) Witnesses of the Faith: A Study of the Acts of the Apostles 7 The resurrected Christ is the central theme of the sermons and defenses in Acts. The Old Testament Scriptures, the historical resurrection, the apostolic testimony, and the convicting power of the Holy Spirit all bear witness that Jesus is both Lord and Christ (2:22-36; 10:34-43) and the only way of salvation (4:12). The growth of the church is highlighted in Acts. The development of the body of Christ is traced over the one-generation transition from a primarily Jewish to a predominantly Gentile membership. Luke presents Christianity as distinct from Judaism but also as its fulfillment. Throughout the book, there is emphasis on the activity of the Holy Spirit and the power of Jesus’ resurrection. Because of Luke’s strong emphasis on the ministry of the Holy Spirit, it has been suggested that this book could be regarded as “the Acts of the Spirit of Christ working in and through the Apostles.” While there are four accounts of the life of Jesus, this is the only book that carries on the story from His ascension to the period of the New Testament epistles. Acts recounts the founding of the church, the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome, and the first thirty years of the church’s growth. Thus, Acts is the historical link between the Gospels and the epistles. It provides the historical setting for 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Romans, Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians. A - C - T - S made personal Based on my reading this week from Acts 1-9: A - doration: God is worthy of my adoration and praise because... C - aution: this section of Scripture has reminded me to take caution in... T - rust: my trust in the Almighty has grown because... S - trength: I was particularly helped and encouraged by... Witnesses of the Faith: A Study of the Acts of the Apostles 8 Outline Of The Book Of Acts Introduction (1:1-5) A. Mention of the recipient of the letter: Theophilus B. Summary of “the first book” 1. An account of Jesus’ actions and teachings that ends on the day of his ascension 2. Specific commands given to the hand-picked apostles 3. Jesus presents himself alive for forty days and speaks about the kingdom of God 4. At his final appearance, Jesus orders his apostles not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for a baptism with the Holy Spirit Part One: Witnesses In Jerusalem (1:6-8:4) I. Preparations For The Proclamation Of The Gospel (1:6-2:13) A. The reassurances and ascension of Jesus (1:6-11) B. The return of the apostles to Jerusalem (1:12-14) C. Matthias chosen to replace Judas (1:15-26) D. The coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (2:1-13) II. The “Good News” Spreads Throughout Jerusalem (2:14-8:4) A. Peter’s witness to Jews “from every nation under heaven” on Pentecost (2:14-41) B. The lifestyle of the early disciples (2:42-47) C. First confrontation with the Jewish authorities (3:1-4:31) 1. Peter heals a lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple (3:1-11) 2. Peter’s witness connecting Jesus to the Old Testament prophets and the healing of the lame man (3:12-26) 3. Peter and John arrested by the priests and the Sadducees (4:1-4) 4. Peter’s witness before the Jewish council (4:5-12) 5. The command of the council to stop teaching in the name of Jesus (4:13-22) 6. The believers’ prayer for boldness (4:23-31) D. The sharing of resources by the disciples (4:32-5:11) 1. Voluntary efforts (4:32-37) 2. Deceitful efforts of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11) E. Multitudes are added to the Lord as signs and wonders abound (5:12-16) F. Second confrontation with the Sadducees (5:17-42) 1. The apostles arrested and put in public prison (5:17-18) 2. The apostles released and commissioned by an angel of the Lord (5:19-21) 3. The apostles called before the council after preaching in the Temple (5:22-33) 4. Gamaliel’s speech to the council (5:34-39) 5. The apostles are beaten, but refuse to cease teaching and preaching (5:40-42) G. Seven men are appointed by the disciples to aid in the daily distribution of food (6:1-7) H. Stephen’s confrontation with the Jewish council (6:8-7:60) 1. Stephen seized and brought before the council (6:8-15) Witnesses of the Faith: A Study of the Acts of the Apostles 9 2. Stephen’s witness of Jesus standing in a long line of rejected prophets (7:1-53) 3. The stoning of Stephen (7:54-60) I. As great persecution arises against the church in Jerusalem, the disciples scatter (8:1-4) Part Two: Witnesses In Judea And Samaria (8:5-12:25) I. The Witness of Philip (8:5-40) A. Philip witnesses to the people of Samaria (8:5-25) B. Philip witnesses to an Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-40) II. The Conversion Of Saul Of Tarsus (9:1-31) A. Jesus speaks to Saul on the road to Damascus and Saul is blinded (9:1-9) B. Ananias tells Saul what he must do (9:10-19) C. Saul proclaims Jesus in the synagogues of Damascus (9:20-22) D. Saul is forced to escape from Damascus under the threat of death (9:23-25) E. Saul witnesses in Jerusalem (9:26-31) III. The Witness Of Peter (9:32-11:18) A. Peter heals Aeneas and the residents of Lydda and Sharon turn to the Lord (9:32-35) B. Peter raises Dorcas from the dead in Joppa and many believe in the Lord (9:36-43) C. Peter’s witness to Cornelius and his household in Caesarea (10:1-11:18) 1. Cornelius is instructed by an angel to send for Peter (10:1-8) 2. The Lord communicates with Peter through a vision of unclean animals (10:9-16) 3. Peter responds to the vision and makes his way to Cornelius’ house (10:17-33) 4. Peter’s message to the Gentiles (10:34-43) 5. The Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles and they are baptized (10:44-48) 6. Peter responds to Jewish criticism in Jerusalem (11:1-18) IV. The Witness Of The Early Church (11:19-12:25) A. The gospel is preached in Antioch (11:19-26) B. Disciples in Antioch determine to send relief to brethren living in Judea (11:27-30) C. Persecution at the hands of Herod the king (12:1-25) 1. James is killed and Peter is arrested (12:1-5) 2. Peter is released by an angel of the Lord (12:6-19) 3. Herod is killed by an angel of the Lord (12:20-25) Part Three: Witnesses To The Ends Of The Earth (13:1-28:31) I. The First Missionary Journey (13:1-14:28) A. Barnabas and Saul are sent by the Holy Spirit from Antioch (13:1-3) B. Barnabas, Saul (Paul) and John witness on Cyprus (13:4-12) C. Paul and Barnabas witness in Antioch of Pisidia (13:13-50) D. The work continues at Iconium (13:51-14:5) E. The gospel is preached in Lystra and Derbe (14:6-20) F. Paul and Barnabas witness on the return trip to Antioch (14:21-26) Witnesses of the Faith: A Study of the Acts of the Apostles 10