Acts of the Apostles
Lesson 1Luke 24:36-52 & Acts Chapter 1
This week we begin a new study as we look at the book of Acts. Titled "The Acts Of The Apostles", it actually only covers two apostles, Peter and Paul; and the majority of the book’s focus is on Paul’s activities. However, the real center of the book is the Holy Spirit and the spread of the Gospel message through missionary activity. Our study of Acts will emphasize this, as we look to learn from it about spreading the gospel outside the walls of the church in which we live and worship today.
We will also gain some surprising insight into such subjects as the model for witnessing that Paul provides, the proper attitudes we should have about serving, about avoiding hypocrisy, about race, and about the Jews themselves and our relationship to them. So pray, as we begin this study, that God through the Holy Spirit will expand our horizons and open our eyes to the work that needs to be done outside the walls of our church, and the proper ways in which to accomplish that work.
For our study this week, read Luke 24:36-52 and Acts Chapter 1.
- Acts is actually Volume 2 of a 2-volume work written by Luke -- Volume 1 being the Gospel of Luke. How do we know this? (See Acts 1:1.)
- Acts can be divided into the activities of two missionaries: Peter from Acts Chapter 1 through Acts 12:24, and Paul from Acts 12:25 through Acts 28:31. Each spread the Gospel and ministered to two distinctly different groups. Can you determine who each ministered to?
- Read Luke 24:36-52. List all of the proofs that Luke gives in these verses that Christ was a physical person after His resurrection.
- Read Luke 24:44-49 and Acts 1:1-5. How long was the resurrected Christ with them before he ascended into heaven? What did he do during that time?
- Read Luke 24:52-53 and Acts 1:10-14. What did Christ instruct the Apostles to do? Where did they wait? (Look closely -- more than one place is mentioned.)
- The Apostles asked Christ if He was going to restore the kingdom at that time. What was Christ’s answer? See Acts 1:6-7.
- What did Christ tell the Apostles that they would do after they received the power of the Holy Spirit? See Acts 1:8.
- How many Apostles were in the group that waited in the Upper Room? (See Acts 1:13-14.)
- What was Peter’s first instruction to the Apostles? See Acts 1:15-22.
- What happened in Acts 1:23-26?
- What was the denomination initially of the early church under Peter’s leadership?
- When did that denomination change?
From this initial look at Acts, we have learned a lot already. Christ teaches us that our role is to spread the gospel to the outermost parts of the earth, that no one is to be kept from hearing the gospel, and that no one is excluded from hearing and benefiting from the good news.
We also learned that we should be focused on the work at hand and not wasting time wondering when Christ is coming back to restore His kingdom. Rather, we should be about the work that God has set before us in building the church and ministering to those around us.
We have seen many infallible proofs that Christ was a real, physical, human being after His resurrection and not a figment of the Apostles’ imagination. From this we see that just as he foretold his death and resurrection, he also spoke of his coming again -- something that provides great hope and strength for all of us.
We also observe in Acts the orderly conduct of business as the Apostles prayed and elected a new member to serve with them, and we saw that Christ wants us equipped for the work he gives us. He taught the Apostles and he sent the Holy Spirit, just as he teaches us and just as we have the Holy Spirit living in us. He does not ask us to do anything beyond our capabilities.
Empowered and equipped as we are, He expects us to be seeking ministry opportunities and to be spreading the good news to everyone we see.
May He bless us and empower us in the weeks ahead as we study this great book.
In Christ,
Wes
[2016]