Act Pt2- From the Upper Room to the Streets
Homework/Last Weeks Challenge
Worked on verse from Joel? Someone recite?
Homework last week- read Act 1-4, record one thought.
Review/Recap
Continue our study of Acts- The Acts of the Apostles.
That name is significant- demonstrates both the-
work of the HS and
the work of the Ascended Christ
operating in and through everyday men.
Apostles were fishermen/tax collectors, ordinary people.
God radically changed them- they changed the world.
Acts begins on a hillside outside of Jerusalem at the point of Jesus- instructing disciples/ascending.
Act 1.1
All- Jesus- began to do and teach-
Jn 21:25 (NASB95) And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.
As the Body of Christ in the earth today, we have been called by God to continue what Jesus started.
In the Gospels Jesus completed His earthly ministry and in Acts Jesus launches the church into their ministry.
In the Gospels the disciples experienced the Holy Spirit through the presence of Jesus, in Acts they experience Jesus through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
There is a transition we see taking place in Acts.
Act 1.4
We talked about- difficulty of learning to waiting on God.
Act 1.8 (theme verse for Acts)
Jesus promised- power/ability to be a witness to- life of Christ- commissioned- church-to world-wide ministry.
The story of Jesus led Him to Jerusalem; the story of the church moves us from Jerusalem to the remotest parts of the earth.
In Jesus own words-
Jn 14:12 (NASB95) “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
The Upper Room
Continue now with our study of Acts-
Acts 1.9-12 (we see Jesus ascending into heaven)
Act 1.13-14 (disciples gathered in upper room- 120)
There was 10 days from the ascension until Pentecost.
Difficult days- what did they do- gather together/pray.
There is no effective witness without the presence of the HS, and the way to spiritual empowerment is to wait on God in prayer.
To the Streets of Jerusalem
Act 1.15-26 (selecting a replacement for Judas)
Act 2.1-4
The time of waiting was over.
What they were waiting/praying for- had arrived- most likely not in a form that they expected/anticipated-
instead of conquering Rome- thousands- saved.
When God answers- prayers differently- how respond?
God does not work within our neat little boxes.
HS-played- important role-equipping Jesus for ministry-
Lk 3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”
Likewise- HS plays an important role in commissioning and empowering the church for its ministry.
Disciples were filled w/HS- began- speak in tongues.
Act 2.5-8
Three ways to interpret what happened on Pentecost-
1. Miracle of hearing
HS supernaturally enabled everyone in the crowd to hear the disciples in their own language.
2. Miracle of speaking an unlearned language
HS enables them- speak languages- did not learn.
3. The gift of tongues as seen in 1 Cor 12-14
Other parts of Acts imply- tongues as in 1 Cor 12-14-
Act 10.44-46
What is important- from this time on being filled with the HS becomes a normal part of a believers life.
At Pentecost/here- exalting/praising God- the presence of- HS produces a sense of praise for God-Jn 16.13
You can draw- parallel w/tower of Babel- where God separated people w/different languages- Gen 11.1-9.
HS- not restoring a common language but empowering the church to take the Gospel to many languages.
The HS unifies mankind around the Lordship of Christ-
I have seen this- Guatemala- sense of oneness.
In- same way- HS unites- hearts of believers together.
Act 2.14-17
Peter explains to- crowds- that what is happening was the outpouring of the Spirit predicted by Joel.
For Peter this was the making of an end-time event.
Act 2.22-23
Miracles/signs/wonders- proof Jesus was the Messiah.
The word for wonders- usually found w/word for signs.
This is true because wonders and miracles have no spiritual value in themselves unless they
point to- power of God that leads to faith in God.
Act 2.23-24
Peter carefully balances God’s divine sovereign purposes and human responsibility.
We see divine sovereignty contrasted w/free will of man.
Jesus died as a result of men making decisions by exercising their God-given freedom of choice.
However, God was working in the events of man’s willful rebellion to bring about His eternal purposes.
God is sovereign- but you cannot blame Him for your actions/choices/decisions- or the actions of others.
Act 2.38-39
The gift of the HS is for anyone who will repent/believe.
You see- repentance, baptism, forgiveness, gift of HS.
Not saying- water baptism- requirement for salvation.
It is saying that water baptism and the gift of the HS should be a normal part of every believer’s life.
Christian Community
Act 2.40-42
A glimpse into- community of believers- devoted to-
apostles teaching, fellowship
breaking of bread, prayer
Teaching- apostles taught what they had been taught.
Fellowship- koinonia- association, close relationships.
Their fellowship was expressed in their eating meals together and their prayer life together.
Breaking bread- participating in-Lord’s Supper together- probably in the context of a community meal.
Prayer- corporate- demonstrates dependence on God.
Act 2.43-45
See- more complete picture of the life of the community-
there was awe or a reverential fear of God
they were together
had all things in common
This is described as selling their goods/property for the benefit of others whenever a need arose.
They did not practice community ownership.
They gave sacrificially to meet- needs of the community.
Conclusion
Act 2.46-47 (Act 4.32)
They were of one mind and had a unity of purpose-
Our fellowship/unity must be rooted in our fellowship with Christ and in the unity of His HS.
We will never achieve unity by working at trying to agree
True unity- result of- inward work/presence of the HS.
Challenge
-introduce yourself to someone- ask- how can I pray
-invite someone to lunch (last week I was invited out)
-continue to read Acts- make some verse into a prayer and post that prayer to COTRM Facebook
If you are here- do not have a relationship w/God-
Act 2.22-24
Our Mission as a Church
Encounter God, Love People, Share Life
We believe that the Christian walk begins when a person has a personal Encounter with the Living Christ Jesus, the Messiah, God Himself. From there they will learn to Love Others as Christ has loved them. Out of that place they will desire to Share the Life they have received from God with others.
Additional Information
Introduction
Another way to look at the book of Acts-
The book can also be divided into two parts-
chap 1-12 center- Jerusalem/Peter is prominent
chap 13-28 center- Antioch/Paul is prominent
In the first part of Acts the gospel spreads from Jerusalem outwards to Judea and Samaria.
In the second part of Acts- gospel spreads from Antioch, throughout the empire to Rome, and beyond.
When Written
Acts- completed about 60-90AD in Rome, perhaps around- end of Paul’s two year imprisonment- Rome.
The Christian life is immediate, yet at the same time progressive. It begins in a moment, but continues to grow throughout our life. Scott Wilson
Repetition is the motor of learning.
How do you memorize- go over it again/again.
One of the problems that has developed in the church is the idea that we need something new all the time.
And yet- biggest gap in the church is the one between mental assent/application- what we know/do.
It is only what we know/do that we can teach w/authority to others AND we should be teachers.
Phil 3:1 (NASB95) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
Safeguard- to make certain/definite-
secure our understanding of some truth.
A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. - John Shedd
Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night." - Charlie Brown
Acts Notes 20110929
Start a new series/study of the book of Acts.
First- look at where Acts has been placed in the Bible.
Bible PPT
Just as Acts is physically located between the Gospels and the Epistles, it is a sequel to the events of the Gospels/the doorway to the doctrines of the Epistles that marks a significant turning point in history.
Acts was written by Luke, the author of The Gospel according to Luke.
Both are dedicated to a man named Theophilus.
Luke was completed about 63AD at Rome, around the time of- end of Paul’s imprisonment in Rome.
Acts is a book with a lot of action and read about many miracles that take place.
Some would name the book the Acts of the Holy Spirit because of its many references to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Others would call it the Acts of the Ascended Christ because of Luke’s opening words-
Acts 1.1-2
They argue that the book testifies to what the Lord continued to do after His ascension.
Certainly you do see the work of the HS/Ascended Christ in the book of Acts.
However, the Acts of the Apostles is probably a better title because it demonstrates the work of the HS and the Ascended Christ operating in and through everyday men.
We see men commissioned by Christ and controlled by the HS fulfilling the purposes of God among men.
In Acts all the apostles are mentioned even though we primarily follow the works of Peter and Paul.
We also see men other than the 12 called apostles, like Barnabas.
Theme verse: Act 1.8-
chapters 2-7 witness given in Jerusalem
chapters 8-12 witness is given in Judea and Samaria
chapter 13-28 witness is given to the remotest part of the earth
The book can also be divided into two parts-
chapters 1-12 Jerusalem is the center and Peter is the prominent figure
chapters 13-28 Antioch is the center and Paul is the prominent figure
In the first part the gospel spreads from Jerusalem outwards to Judea and Samaria.
In the second part the gospel spreads from Antioch, through the empire to Rome.
We might ask ourselves what did the Lord leave with the apostles that they should take out into the world beyond Jerusalem-
Act 1.3
The message that they were to carry was the message of the Kingdom of God.
What did the apostles hear-
Act 1.4-6
What did Jesus tell them?
Act 1.7-8
He was telling them that they needed to testify to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the the entire earth, about the King and His Kingdom.
Included in this message was the message of the Cross of Christ, forgiveness for the sins of the world and the good news of personal salvation by faith in Christ Jesus, the Savior of the world.
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Luke records the tensions within the early church, even the fight between Paul and Barnabas (cf. Acts 15:39). This reflects a fair, balanced, researched historical/theological writing.
Luke, a Gentile physician, is mentioned as a companion of Paul in Col. 4:10–14, Philemon 24, and II Timothy 4:11. Luke is the only Gentile writer in the NT. The three passages in the NT (Col. 4:10–4; Philemon 24; II Tim. 4:11) and the book of Acts itself.
This is a composite profile of Luke.
a. a Gentile (listed in Col. 4:12–14 with Epaphras and Demas, not with the Jewish helpers)
b. from either Antioch of Syria (Anti-Marcion prologue to Luke) or Philippi of Macedonia (Sir William Ramsay on Acts 16:19)
c. a physician (cf. Col. 4:14)-at least- well educated man
d. became a convert in middle adulthood after the church was started at Antioch (Anti-Marcion prologue)
e. Paul’s traveling companion (“we” sections of Acts)
f. unmarried
g. wrote the third Gospel and Acts (similar introductions and similar style and vocabulary)
h. died at the age of 84 at Boeotia
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SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KINGDOM OF GOD
In the OT YHWH was thought of as the King of Israel (cf. I Sam. 8:7; Ps. 10:16; 24:7–9; 29:10; 44:4; 89:18; 95:3; Isa. 43:15; 44:4, 6) and the Messiah as the ideal king (cf. Ps. 2:6). With the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem (6–4 b.c.) the kingdom of God broke inot human history with new power and redemption (new covenant, cf. Jer. 31:31–34; Ezek. 36:17–36). John the Baptist proclaimed the nearness of the kingdom (cf. Matt. 3:2; Matt. 1:15). Jesus clearly taught that the kingdom was present in Himself and His teachings (cf. Matt. 4:17, 23; 9:35; 10:7; 11:11–12; 12:28; 16:19; Mark 12:34; Luke 10:9, 11; 11:20; 12:31–32; 16:16; 17:21). Yet the kingdom is also future (cf. Matt. 16:28; 24:14; 26:29; Mark 9:1; Luke 21:31; 22:16, 18).
In the Synoptic parallels in Mark and Luke we find the phrase, “the kingdom of God.” This common topic of Jesus’ teachings involved the present reign of God in men’s hearts which one day will be consummated over all the earth. This is reflected in Jesus’ prayer in Matt. 6:10. Matthew, written to Jews, preferred the phrase that did not use the name of God (kingdom of heaven), while Mark and Luke, writing to Gentiles, used the common designation, employing the name of deity.
This tension is caused by the two comings of Christ. The OT focused only on one coming of God’s Messiah—a military, judgmental, glorious coming—but the NT shows that He came the first time as the Suffering Servant of Isa. 53 and the humble king of Zech. 9:9. The two Jewish ages, the age of wickedness and the new age of righteousness, overlap. Jesus currently reigns in the hearts of believers, but will one day reign over all creation. He will come as the OT predicted. Believers live in “the already” versus “the not yet” of the kingdom of God.
Jesus spoke Aramaic, which means that many of the places where “Father” appears as the Greek Pater may reflect the Aramaic Abba (cf. 14:36). This familial term “Daddy” or “papa” reflects Jesus’ intimacy with the Father; His revealing this to His followers also encourages our own intimacy with the Father. The term “Father” was used rarely in the OT (and not often in Rabbinical literature) for YHWH, but Jesus uses it often and pervasively. It is a major revelation of believers’ new relationship with God through Christ (cf. Matt. 6:9).
Act 1.5
This initiating work of the Spirit is delineated in John 16:8–11. The works of the Holy Spirit are:
1. convicting of sin
2. revealing the truth about Christ
3. leading to acceptance of the gospel
4. baptizing into Christ
5. convicting the believer of continuing sin
6. forming Christlikeness in the believer
Act 1.7
The term “times” (chronos) means “eras” or “ages” (i.e. the passing of time), while the term “epochs” (kairos) means a “time of specific events or seasons” (cf. Titus 1:2–3). Louw and Nida: Greek-English Lexicon, says they are synonyms simply denoting duration of time (cf. I Thess. 5:1). It is obvious that believers are not to try to set specific dates; even Jesus did not know the time of His return (cf. Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32). Believers can know the general season, but they are to remain ready and active for the actual event at all times (cf. Matt. 24:32–33). The twin emphases of the NT about the Second Coming are to stay active and be ready. The rest is up to God!
Act 1.1
May imply the work is not done- called to complete it-
Col 1:24 (NASB95) Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.
Act 1.3
Presented Himself alive-
1 Corinthians 15:3–8 (NASB95)
3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
6After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;
7then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;
8and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
Paul was not alive during the time that jesus was alive on the earth.
The Father led Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days to prepare Him for ministry as- ascended Christ spends 40 days w/the disciples to prepare them for ministry.
Kingdom of God always has-meaning of God’s reign.
Act 1.4
Wait for the promise-
Luke 24:49 (NASB95) “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Act 1.5
Baptized in the HS-
John 14:16–21 (NASB95)
16“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;
17that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
18“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
19“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.
20“In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
21“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
Repentance, baptism, gift of the HS, important parts of what it means to be a convert for Christ.
Act 1.6-7
What is relevant to God is the the mission of the church before the fullness of the coming of God’s Kingdom.
Act 1.8
John 14:12–15 (NASB95)
12“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14“If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. 15“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
Jesus connects love with obedience.
A heart that loves God and wants to obey God will be more in alignment with God’s heart and the prayer that He prays will line up with God’s will-
1 John 5:14–15 (NASB95)
14This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
Act 1.9-11
A clear statement- Jesus will physically return to- earth.
Act 1.24
God knows the hearts of all men.
Act 1.26
Do not be put off by the chance element- in the OT the outcome was always seen to be determined by God.
Act 2.1-4
Greek- pneuma- double meaning- both wind/Spirit.
Ezek 37.9-14 (Spirits part in dry bones)
Spirit- pneuma- double meaning- both spirit/wind.
Wind- often represent the HS- 1 Ki 19.11, Isa 66.15.
Fire- depicts- presence of God- burning bush-
Ex 3.2, Ex 19.18, 1 Ki 18.38-39, Ezek 1.27
Act 2.5-8
God has broken down the national barrier that the Jewish nation had concerning the God of Israel.
Act 2.24
In the tragedy of the cross we see the triumph of the resurrection.
Heb 7:16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.
Jesus- High Priest- indestructible life.
Rom 1.23, 1 Cor 15.42, 1 Cor 9.25
Act 2.25-28
the ways of life- Christ is the author of life.
Acts 3:15 (NASB95) but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.
Act 2.30-31
Jews saw a link between individuals/their descendants.
Act 2.32.35
Act 2.36
He leads them to confess that Jesus as Lord.
Phil 2:9 (NASB95) For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
Act 2.37-39
We find repentance, baptism, forgiveness of sins, and receiving the HS.
Both baptism and receiving the HS are to be the normal part of a believers life.
However, baptism is not a prerequisite for salvation.
Forgiveness of sins is the basis or grounds on which one is baptized.
The forgiveness of sins is connected with repentance and not baptism- Lk 24.47, Act 3.19, Act 5.31
Repentance leads to the forgiveness of sins, baptism, and the gift of the HS.
Act 2.43-45
Deut 15:4 “However, there will be no poor among you, since the Lord will surely bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess,
