THE BOOK OF ACTS
WHY STUDY THE BOOK OF ACTS?
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO GAIN FROM IT?
Although it is not really necessary for the Church to give a reason for the study of
any book of the Bible, it is helpful to offer particular aims for focusing on any
particular area of study. New Life Fellowship Church has embarked upon a study of
the book of Acts motivated by the following:
THE CONTINUITY OF THE BOOK OF ACTS AND THE FOUR GOSPELS
UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING THE BOOK OF ACTS
The Key to the meaning of the Book of Acts lies in two themes from Jesus’ closing
ministry among His disciples
1. Prior to His death He promised another Counselor, John 14:16; 16:13, who would
lead the disciples into all truth
2. Just after His resurrection and prior to His ascension is the promise of the Great
Commission, Matt. 28:19-20
These two great promises come together in the Book of Acts as Luke tells the story
of the first 30 years of the Christian Church. These are the “acts” of the Holy Spirit,
the second Counselor, Who is as surely and objectively present with the people of
God as was Jesus their first Counselor in His ministry upon earth. The growth and
development of the New Testament Church is unintelligible apart from these
foundational truths.
As rightly understood, Acts establishes that the normative condition of true Churches
is that of enjoying the poured-out presence of the Holy Spirit in her ministry and in
the heart of every believer.
THE UNIQUENESS OF THE BOOK OF ACTS
Acts is unique in that it provides a foundation for the doctrine of the New Testament
Church in the practical context of the dynamics of a generation of Church growth.
1. It has a standing start
2. It spread as an organism instituted and organized by the revealed Word of God
3. The Church government did not evolve as men put their minds to the best
practical way to run things, but as they were led by the Holy Spirit and the instruction
of their Scriptures
Last but not least we see the striking evangelistic impulse that bursts from every
page of Acts. The Church marched across the ancient world on a powerful wave of
Holy Spirit driven enthusiasm for Jesus Christ. Humanly speaking it had nothing going
for it; no money, no proven leaders, and no technological tools for advancing the
Gospel. Plus, it faced enormous obstacles.
One author noted that the “evangelical Church is either already dead or dying, and
the reason for its sad condition is that it has forgotten its theology. Today’s Church,
he goes on to say no longer understands the gospel, and it certainly no longer
proclaims it to an unbelieving world.”
It is our aim that the Lord would move us to a clear understanding of the gospel and
cause our hearts to consider the proclamation of it as paramount to our existence
and a local Church. May He see fit to use the Book of Acts in our lives to that end.
WHY STUDY THE BOOK OF ACTS?
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO GAIN FROM IT?
Although it is not really necessary for the Church to give a reason for the study of
any book of the Bible, it is helpful to offer particular aims for focusing on any
particular area of study. New Life Fellowship Church has embarked upon a study of
the book of Acts motivated by the following:
- The Book of Acts personally and immediately provides us with our roots as a
New Testament Church.
- It is the history of the Christian’s beloved country, the body of Christ
- It is a description of what it means to be a citizen of Heaven while still living on
earth
THE CONTINUITY OF THE BOOK OF ACTS AND THE FOUR GOSPELS
- The four Gospels expound the person and work of Jesus as the Saviour who
came to save His people from their sins
- The Book of Act recounts how the Holy Spirit came and savingly applied the
message of the Gospel to multitudes of people across the Roman world,
through the ministry of the apostles and the newborn Church of the New
Testament era
- The Gospels focused on the Accomplishments of redemption
- The Book of Acts describes the Application of redemption
- The Gospels tell us what the Gospel is
- The Book of Acts tells us what the Gospel does
UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING THE BOOK OF ACTS
The Key to the meaning of the Book of Acts lies in two themes from Jesus’ closing
ministry among His disciples
1. Prior to His death He promised another Counselor, John 14:16; 16:13, who would
lead the disciples into all truth
2. Just after His resurrection and prior to His ascension is the promise of the Great
Commission, Matt. 28:19-20
These two great promises come together in the Book of Acts as Luke tells the story
of the first 30 years of the Christian Church. These are the “acts” of the Holy Spirit,
the second Counselor, Who is as surely and objectively present with the people of
God as was Jesus their first Counselor in His ministry upon earth. The growth and
development of the New Testament Church is unintelligible apart from these
foundational truths.
As rightly understood, Acts establishes that the normative condition of true Churches
is that of enjoying the poured-out presence of the Holy Spirit in her ministry and in
the heart of every believer.
THE UNIQUENESS OF THE BOOK OF ACTS
Acts is unique in that it provides a foundation for the doctrine of the New Testament
Church in the practical context of the dynamics of a generation of Church growth.
1. It has a standing start
2. It spread as an organism instituted and organized by the revealed Word of God
3. The Church government did not evolve as men put their minds to the best
practical way to run things, but as they were led by the Holy Spirit and the instruction
of their Scriptures
Last but not least we see the striking evangelistic impulse that bursts from every
page of Acts. The Church marched across the ancient world on a powerful wave of
Holy Spirit driven enthusiasm for Jesus Christ. Humanly speaking it had nothing going
for it; no money, no proven leaders, and no technological tools for advancing the
Gospel. Plus, it faced enormous obstacles.
One author noted that the “evangelical Church is either already dead or dying, and
the reason for its sad condition is that it has forgotten its theology. Today’s Church,
he goes on to say no longer understands the gospel, and it certainly no longer
proclaims it to an unbelieving world.”
It is our aim that the Lord would move us to a clear understanding of the gospel and
cause our hearts to consider the proclamation of it as paramount to our existence
and a local Church. May He see fit to use the Book of Acts in our lives to that end.
| Sunday Morning "Foundations" Class |
New Life Fellowship Church
Matthew 16:18
Matthew 16:18
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