The purpose of the book of acts is governed by the jews response to peter and paul. Luke recorded three rejections by the jews to peter and the apostles associated with him to the message of repentance and proclamation of the kingdom. Our interest here is to highlight lukes overarching purpose and theme. Acts tells of the witness of the early church to the truth of the gospela theme first introduced in 1. We come to the conclusion of our introduction to the book of acts today by looking at its purpose and theme. What can we learn about sharing the gospel from john 1. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. In a similar way, when we read the book of acts, it quickly becomes evident that luke addressed some themes many times. Major themes in the book of acts the bart ehrman blog. Here are some of the key themes that luke highlights for us. You will be my witnesses in jerusalem, and in all judea and samaria, and to the ends of the earth 1.
Kjv the book of acts is the historical link between the. Luke wraps up his book with paul preaching under house arrest in rome, but there is more to. In acts, the disciples are proud of their jewish heritage, but also trying to get people to see those old traditions in a new way. The book of acts, also called acts of the apostles, does not specifically identify its author.
Another overriding theme in the book of acts is opposition. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. We read about imprisonments, beatings, stonings and plots to kill the apostles. Luke showed in acts 1 that the qualifications for an apostle were that he had spent three years with jesus and that he had been a. On one level, as is true of most literary works, luke had many purposes and acts has many themes. The plot of a novel is the action that takes place within the course of the narrative. Of the 27 books that make up what we know as the new testament, the one called the acts of the apostles is unique in the information it contains. It records that he performed many signs and wonders to validate the ministry of the apostles and other early church leaders.
Christian life occurs in a community oriented with a vocation for the kingdom of god. A second theme is the validity of pauls apostleship. Traditionally, the theme of the book of acts is the story of the unfolding of acts 1. He shows us how god is working and speaking in this story and our own stories. Although 1 thessalonians is remembered as the rapture book in popular teaching, the main theme of the book is encourage one another. The theme is the work of christ through the ages, of which each successive depository of his energies can do but a small portion, and must leave that portion unfinished. Watch our introduction video on the book of acts, which outlines the books main theme and how it is fulfilled in jesus. It describes him as the one that empowers the church to live transformed lives and to evangelize the.
It traces christianity from its beginnings in jerusalem, following jesus resurrection, to the arrest of the apostle paul in rome, the heart of the empire. It portrays the beginning of the church from its roots at pentecost fifty days after the lords resurrection, to paul being held under house arrest. The overall theme of the book of acts the source of a powerful witness traditionally, the theme of the book of acts is the story of the unfolding of acts 1. We look at the places mentioned in acts, taking them in alphabetical order. Acts 1 new international version niv jesus taken up into heaven. Each place is located on a map and then we note the people and events associated with that place. The book of acts presents a rich theology of the holy spirit. Key verses and themes in acts bible commentary theology of. The rest of the books major focus is on paul, the most. Purposes of the book of acts reformed bible studies. Apologetics is the branch of theology that is concerned with defending christianity against accusations and error. This theme begins in the first few verses of chapter 1. Acts tells of the witness of the early church to the truth of the gospel a theme first introduced in 1.
That god is sovereign over the world is a theme found throughout scripture but it is in the forefront of the book of daniel. View chuck swindolls chart of acts, which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history. Acts, then, shows us that gods purposes for humanity, that he began at creation, are finally being brought to completion through jesus, the gospel, and his church. The acts of the apostles is a unique and therefore crucial book of the new testament. So, if we hope to grasp the significance of the book of acts, we must pay careful attention to these repeated themes. Use this introduction video on the book of acts, which outlines the books main theme and how it is fulfilled in jesus, in your sermon, on social media, or in a small group setting. Acts, as it is commonly called, is a second volume of the gospel of luke. Peter and his mission to the jews is the main focus in this first part of the book of acts. The history of the labors of the apostles and of the foundation of the christian church. In the gospel of luke, we see that jesus came to the earth to advance the mission of god.
A books theme is not the same as its plot or its moral lesson, but these elements are related and necessary in building the larger story. Although discouraging, resistance to our witness for christ is to be expected. Lets look at the main themes of acts one at a time. The debate over the historical accuracy of the book of acts is important, in no small measure because as i have pointed out already it. As implied by the title acts of the apostles, the 5th book in the gospel is a contemporaneous document of what the apostles did after jesus resurrection. Learn how to find the theme of a book or short story. They believe that scripture predicted that jesus would come and be the.
The acts of the apostles major themes gospel renewal. An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. It portrays the beginning of the church from its roots at pentecost fifty days after the lords resurrection, to paul. This title may be a bit misleading, because 11 apostles are barely mentioned, while the book concentrates almost exclusively on the early work of peter chapters 112 and the short but influential ministry of paul chapters 28.
It describes him as the one that empowers the church to live transformed lives and to evangelize the world. The book of acts details the birth and spread of the church. The overall theme of the book of acts the source of a. The main theme of acts centers on the apostles being witnesses for christ, and converting others through preaching, teaching, and healing. This is the main point of any teaching on the return of the lord, encouragement to living godly lives which win the respect of outsiders 4.
Acts teaches us about the worldwide mission of the christian church. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. The book of acts is the first history of the christian church. It begins with recording the spread of the christian church in jerusalem, judea and samaria got, n. These repeated motifs run throughout his book and are important keys to understanding lukes teaching. The tradition from the earliest days of the church has been that luke, a companion of the apostle paul, wrote the books of luke and acts colossians 4. But you shall receive power ability, efficiency, and might when the holy spirit has come. This is, in effect, an outline of the book of acts see plan and outline below. His mission was to see his kingdom spread to the ends of the earth by drawing people to himself through his life, death, and resurrection luke 24.
Major themes in the book of acts the debate over the historical accuracy of the book of acts is important, in no small measure because as i have pointed out already it provides us our one and only narrative of what was happening among the followers of jesus in the years immediately after his death. We come to the conclusion of our introduction to the book of acts. Acts was apparently written in rome, perhaps between ad 70 and 90, though some think a slightly earlier date is also. Individual faiths build up traditions, customs, writings, and a history that people get pretty darn attached to. Many of you already know that the theme verse of acts is found in the first chapter, but you will receive power when the holy spirit comes on you. The acts of the apostles, abbreviation acts, fifth book of the new testament, a valuable history of the early christian church. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of. Perhaps the most pervasive theme of acts in the role of the holy spirit in the lives and journeys of the disciples. Both were likely written by luke, whos said to be an early. Acts was written in greek, presumably by the evangelist luke, whose gospel concludes where acts begins, namely, with christs ascension into heaven. You will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
That is exactly what the acts of the apostles book is. The acts of the apostles major themes 1 jesus, who was crucified, is alive. In the latter portion of acts, luke recorded three rejections of the jews to pauls overtures of salvation. Rejection of the gospel and persecution of its messengers, however, worked to accelerate the churchs growth. The most popular bible verses from acts found 1,007 verses acts 1. T he book of acts in the bible, written around 6263 a. In this book we see the first mention of the dispensation of the holy spirit and jesus command to take his gospel to all the world.
For, if the theme of the story be what christ did, then the book is, not the acts of the apostles, but the acts of jesus christ through his servants. In just the second chapter of the book, the holy spirit plays a. Apologetics is the branch of theology that is concerned with. Here is a summary and overview of the book of acts.