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Objective

In this lesson, we’ll see how the book of Acts reveals the birth of the church and demonstrates the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives.

Key Verse

Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Introduction

The book of Acts stands as one of the most exciting and encouraging books in all of Scripture. Written by Luke as a sequel to his Gospel, Acts picks up the story exactly where the Gospels leave off. While the Gospels tell us what Jesus began to do and teach during His earthly ministry, Acts shows us what Jesus continued to do through His church by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Luke wasn’t just a historian writing about events he had heard about secondhand. As Paul’s missionary companion, he was an eyewitness to many of the remarkable events he records. When you read passages where Luke uses the word “we,” you’re reading the firsthand account of someone who was actually there, watching God work in powerful ways.

Acts 1:1: In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach.

Notice that Luke says Jesus “began” to do and teach in the Gospels. Acts shows us what Jesus continued to accomplish through His followers after His ascension. The same Holy Spirit who empowered Jesus’ earthly ministry now empowers the church to carry on His work.

The theme that connects Luke’s Gospel and the book of Acts is the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel of Luke, we saw how the Holy Spirit was central to everything Jesus did. Now in Acts, we discover that the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for the life and ministry of the church. Just as Jesus couldn’t accomplish His mission without the Spirit’s power, we cannot live effective Christian lives or build healthy churches without that same Spirit working in and through us.

In this lesson, we’ll explore three foundational topics that will help us understand this remarkable book:

• The structure and outline of Acts
• The major themes that run throughout the book
• How chapter 1 introduces us to the entire story

The Structure and Outline of Acts

The book of Acts provides its own outline in the key verse we’re studying. Jesus told His disciples that they would be His witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This isn’t just a geographical description—it’s a prophetic outline of how the Gospel would spread and how Luke would organize his account.

➤ Witness in Jerusalem (Acts 1-8:4): The first section shows us the birth of the church on the Day of Pentecost and its early growth in the holy city. Here we see the apostles preaching boldly, thousands of people coming to faith, and the church learning to function as a community of believers.

➤ Witness in Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:5-12:25): The second section describes how persecution scattered the believers beyond Jerusalem’s walls. What Satan meant for evil, God used for good, as the Gospel began to reach new regions and different people groups, including the despised Samaritans.

➤ Witness to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:1-28:31): The final section follows Paul’s missionary journeys as the Gospel spreads throughout the Roman Empire. By the end of Acts, the message about Jesus has reached from Jerusalem all the way to Rome, the center of the ancient world.

There’s another helpful way to understand the structure of Acts. The book naturally divides into two main sections based on the primary characters. In chapters 1-12, Peter takes center stage as the leading apostle to the Jewish people. Beginning in chapter 13, Paul becomes the central figure as the apostle to the Gentiles. This transition shows us how God’s plan of salvation extended from the Jews to include people from every nation.

The Major Themes of Acts

While Acts contains many important themes, three stand out as particularly significant for our understanding of how God works through His church.

➤ The Power of the Holy Spirit: Throughout Acts, we see that nothing significant happens in the church apart from the Holy Spirit’s power. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He specifically commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Spirit’s empowerment.

Acts 1:4-5: On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

When the Spirit came on Pentecost, everything changed. The same disciples who had hidden in fear after Jesus’ crucifixion became bold witnesses who turned the world upside down. We see the Spirit empowering Peter’s preaching, Stephen’s martyrdom, and Paul’s missionary journeys. (Notebook Moment: Think about areas of your life where you feel weak or inadequate. How might recognizing your need for the Holy Spirit’s power change the way you approach these challenges?)

Acts 4:8: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!”

Acts 7:55: But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

Acts 13:9: Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said…

➤ The Missionary Heart of the Church: From its very beginning, the church understood that it existed not just for the comfort of believers, but for the salvation of the lost. The Great Commission wasn’t an optional activity for super-spiritual Christians—it was the driving purpose of the entire church.

Acts 13:2-3: While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

This missionary heart wasn’t limited to the apostles. When persecution scattered ordinary believers from Jerusalem, they went everywhere preaching the word. Every Christian understood that they were called to be witnesses for Christ.

➤ The Importance of Unity, Purity, and Order: Acts shows us that healthy churches require more than just enthusiasm and good intentions. They need unity among the members, purity in doctrine and conduct, and orderly systems for ministry and decision-making.

We see unity in the early church’s commitment to gathering together for prayer, fellowship, and worship. We see the importance of purity in the sobering account of Ananias and Sapphira, who faced severe judgment for lying to the Holy Spirit. And we see the need for order in the appointment of deacons to care for practical needs while the apostles focused on prayer and preaching.

Acts 6:2-4: So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

How Chapter 1 Introduces the Entire Book

The first chapter of Acts serves as a bridge connecting Jesus’ earthly ministry with the birth of the church. Luke carefully shows us how everything that follows grows out of Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples.

➤ The Forty Days of Teaching: After His resurrection, Jesus spent forty days with His disciples, teaching them about the kingdom of God. This wasn’t casual conversation—it was intensive training for the leaders of the early church.

Acts 1:3: After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

These forty days of post-resurrection teaching explain how the apostles were able to preach with such authority and insight on the Day of Pentecost. When Peter stood up and opened the meaning of Old Testament prophecies about Jesus, he was sharing what Jesus Himself had taught him during this crucial period.

➤ The Promise of the Holy Spirit: Jesus made it clear that the disciples were not ready for ministry in their own strength. They needed to wait for the Holy Spirit’s empowerment before beginning their work.

This teaches us a crucial principle: spiritual work requires spiritual power. No amount of natural talent, education, or enthusiasm can substitute for the Holy Spirit’s enabling. The same disciples who had failed so miserably during Jesus’ trial and crucifixion became unstoppable witnesses after receiving the Spirit’s power.

➤ The Misunderstood Kingdom: Even after forty days of teaching, the disciples still didn’t fully understand God’s plan. They asked Jesus if He was going to restore the kingdom to Israel immediately, thinking in terms of a political kingdom rather than a spiritual one.

Acts 1:6-7: Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.”

Jesus redirected their focus from political speculation to practical ministry. Instead of worrying about when God would establish His kingdom on earth, they needed to concentrate on being His witnesses to the world. (Notebook Moment: How often do we get distracted by trying to figure out God’s timing instead of focusing on the work He has clearly given us to do today?)

➤ The Promise of Christ’s Return: When Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples received a wonderful promise that should encourage every believer.

Acts 1:11: “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

The same Jesus who lived among them, died for them, and rose again will return someday. This promise gives us hope and motivation as we carry on His work until He comes.

➤ The Replacement of Judas: Before Pentecost, the remaining eleven apostles prayed and chose Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot. This decision shows us the importance of prayer in making important choices and the need to maintain proper leadership structure in the church.

Acts 1:24-26: Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Conclusion

The book of Acts opens by showing us a small group of believers gathered together in prayer, waiting for God’s promised power. It ends with the Gospel reaching the capital of the Roman Empire and spreading throughout the known world. This dramatic transformation didn’t happen through human wisdom or strength—it happened because ordinary people were filled with the extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit.

(Notebook Moment: As you think about your own church and Christian community, what aspects of the early church’s example do you think are most needed today? How can you contribute to greater unity, spiritual power, and missionary effectiveness?)

The principles we see in Acts remain just as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago. Churches still need the Holy Spirit’s power to accomplish God’s work. Believers still need unity, purity, and order to function effectively. The world still needs to hear the Gospel message that transforms lives and gives eternal hope.

As we continue studying Acts together, let these foundational truths shape your expectations. God hasn’t changed His methods or His power. The same Spirit who empowered the early church is available to empower us today. The same Jesus who promised to build His church continues to work through believers who are willing to be His witnesses.

Acts 2:1: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

The story of the church begins with believers united in prayer, waiting expectantly for God to work. As we learn from their example, may we too experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and ministries.

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[revision notes: Somewhere in the introduction, or where I first discuss the Holy Spirit, I need to discuss the full traditional name of the book: The Acts of the Apostles, with specific reference to the idea that it’s really “The Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles.”]