Introduction to the Book of Acts – A History of the Early Church

The Book of Acts

A history of the Early Church

The book of Acts also called The Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke, the same author of the gospel of Luke. Both documents were adressed to a “most excellent Theophilus” who may have been a high ranking Roman government official. The book of Acts was written sometime between 61 and 64 AD. The book ends with Paul’s house arrest in Rome in 61AD. The book makes no mention of Paul’s death or Nero’s persecution nor of the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This places the date of this book at least before 70 AD. Luke was a very accurate and detail oriented historian and would have included these events if they had happened at the time of writing. The book of Acts is a condesned history of the early Apostolic church, it is an eyewitnmess account of the spread fof the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. The recurring theme in the book is the empowerment of the early believers from the Holy Spirit and it is this same Holy Spirit that empowers believers yet today. While being a historical narrative it also is theologically profound. We as believers do not have “blind” faith, but a FAITH that rests on the facts of history. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus are historical facts recorded by Luke in the gospel that bears his name. The book of Acts gives believers the reassurance that our faith in Christ is based on and rests on historical facts.

1 Corinthians 15:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.

Acts 1:1-5

New Living Translation (NLT)

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1 In my first book[a] I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with[b] water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 24:36-53

New Living Translation (NLT)

36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.

41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he ate it as they watched.

44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,[a] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things.

49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

The Ascension

50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53 And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

Footnotes:

1. Luke 24:47 Or all peoples.

2 Peter 1:16

New Living Translation (NLT)

16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes

It is in the first cahpter of this book that is recorded Jesus ascedning into Heaven, Jesus is the prominent figure of this book. The central theme of the all the sermons, defenses, and the life of the church throughout this book is that of the Resurrected Christ. It is in this book that we meet Saul of Tarsus, and learn of his dramatic conversion experince and how he becomes the Apostle Paul, and of his missionary ecxperinces and influenc over the early church.

Outline of the Book of Acts

1. The apostle’s witness in Jerusalem

2. The Early Church’s Witness to All of Judea and Samaria

3. The Witness to the End of the Earth

Jesus Last Week Cont – The Passover Meal and The Last Supper

Lets jump to Thursday now when Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper. This I s found in Mark 14:22-25 but the backgroud leading up to this is found in Mark 14:12-16 and Mark 14:17-21. Lets look at Pass Over first, that is what Jesus and the disciples were preparing to celebrate was actually Passover. Passover was the first of all the annual feasts and the most important. (see Lev 23:4-8) It celebrated on the 14^th of Nisan the first month of the religious year. This would fall sometime in our March or April. Passover commerates the deliverance of the Jews from Eygpt and the establishment of Israel as a nation by God‘s redemptive act. The Feast of Unleavend Bread began in the day after Passover and lasted seven days.

Mark 14:12-25

New Living Translation (NLT)

The Last Supper

12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go to prepare the Passover meal for you?”

13 So Jesus sent two of them into Jerusalem with these instructions: “As you go into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ 15 He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” 16 So the two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.

17 In the evening Jesus arrived with the twelve disciples.[a] 18 As they were at the table[b] eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me.”

19 Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one?”

20 He replied, “It is one of you twelve who is eating from this bowl with me. 21 For the Son of Man[c] must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”

22 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.”

23 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant[d] between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many. 25 I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.”

Footnotes:

1. Mark 14:17 Greek the Twelve.
2. Mark 14:18 Or As they reclined.
3. Mark 14:21 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
4. Mark 14:24 Some manuscripts read the new covenant.

Here Mark is speaking of the events of Thursday. Apparently Jesus had already made arrangements for a place to eat- He announced the location in a very inconspicuos manner. Now, it would have been highly unuasual for a man to be carrying a picther of water, this was nornally a woman’s task. It is thought that this man may have been a servant. It is thought that the owner of this house may have been Mark’s father. Tradition has it this is the same “upper room” of Acts1:13 whereover 100 believers met on Pentecost.

There were actually two memorial meals observed here- one was the Passover meal during which Jesus predicted that one of the disciples would betray Him. After Judas left Jesus then observed the Last Supper which was in anticipation of the breaking of His body and the shedding of His blood. The phrase “one of you who eats with Me will betray is reminscent of the messianinc prophecy found in Psam 41:9

Psalm 41:9

New Living Translation (NLT)

9 Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely,
the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

Matthew and John both identify Judas as the betrayer though Mark never mentions it.

I want to pause here and say a few words about this Memorial Meal that we have come to call – The Lords Supper, the Eucahrist, The Lords Table, Holy Communion, or just Communion. No matter what name we call this meal by- that consists of the wine of Juice ( some leeway here- both are from the fruit of the vine) It was most likley wine that was served at this meal as there was no way to refrigirate in biblical times thus no way to keep the juice from fermenting and becoming wine. And the Bread or the Loaf. No matter what your view is – whether this is actually the blood and body of Christ or are symbolic emblems- they are HOLY and this meal is a special time for all who observe it. It is a HOLY time – the loaf is to be unleavend bread. That is what was served to the disciples in that upper room after the Passover meal had been observed. Jesus instituted this as a Remembrance of Him and of the sacrifice that He was about to make. This Meal has been abused over the centuries and actually did not take that long for it to be abused by the Corinthian Church- they were making a party out of it! And in doing so some that could not afford to bring a meal were left without. The called it a “Love Feast” The time of Holy Communion is to be appraoched with high reverence and Paul even mentions that one who partakes in an unworthy manner is dooming themselves to damanation. This time is a time to commune with God and to let Him commune with you, this is a time of self examination, this is a time to look back to the cross, and remember the suffering servant taking the full wrath of God’s anger on Himself to spare us all from that horrible wrath. This is a time to remember the Resurrection and know that we share in that victory over sin and death. This is a time to look forward to His return to once and for all defeat evil and set up His Kingdom and reign forever. Again, this time of observing Holy Communion is a time reverence , a time joy, a time of anitcipation and a time to speak to God and a time to just sit quitely and listen for that small whisper in the whirlwind, a time of self examination and come to God in true repentance with a broken and contrite heart- confessing your times of falling short to Him. In short – it is the most significant portion of any worship service and should not be treated casually.

 

The Sanhedrin Questions Jesus Authority

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

Mark 11:27-34

New Living Translation (NLT)

This event is also found in Matt 21:23-27 and Luke 20:1-8. The Jewish leaders were bitter and they did all they could to try to trap Jesus but the Lord was a master debater and He turned every question they posed to Him around and they ended up embarassing themselves.

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

27Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. 28They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

29“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. 30“Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!”

31They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. 32But do we dare say it was merely human?” For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet. 33So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The religious leaders were now plotting a way to kill Jesus. (see vs 18) and the asked Jesus about the nature and source of His authority – referring to the authority to cleanse the temple(see vss 15-17) . Jesus had not yet openly declared that He was the Messiah.

I just love the following exchange!

29“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. 30“Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!”

The intent of Jesus question to the leaders was to expose their insincereity. ‘The baptism of John, is referring to the AUTHORITY of John’s baptism- was it from Heaven and ordained by God or was it merely from men, that is of human contrivance and void of any spiritual authority and reality? The leaders repsonded with a dishonest answer-

that of Verse 33 So they finally replied, “We don’t know.” And how did Jesus respond? He kept His promise, since they did not answer His question he repsonded-

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Thus far we have covered the triumphal entry(Sunday), the cleansing of the temple(Monday) and now the Sanhedrin challenging Jesus authority( Tuesday) There are a few more events that happened on Tuesday, that we will look at next time.

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The Fig Tree

The Fig Tree

Mark 11:12-14

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

12The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.

This is also told in Matt 21:18-22) This is on Monday morning as they were walking from Bethany, where they had spent the night, over the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem About a two mile hike. Passover always happens inMarch or April and fig season is not until May or June. Fig trees normally produce a number of buds in March, leaves in April, and ripe fruit later on. Jesus was looking for the edible buds, the lack of which indicated that the tree would be fruitless later on The tree was alive but it was not going to bear any fruit. Jesus cursing the tree was a powerful parable- a picture of what He found when He turned His attention to the temple, the appearamce of life but no spirtual fruit.

Mark 11:12-14

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

12The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.

Mark 11:15-18

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Clears the Temple

15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.[a] 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”[b]

18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

Footnotes:

1. Mark 11:16 Or from carrying merchandise through the Temple.
2. Mark 11:17 Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11.

This was on Monday, Jesus had done the same thing three years earlier, at the beginning of His public ministry. The profits from the market stalls inside the temple area went in part to enrich the family of the High Priest. Jesus burned with righteouss indignation at this perversion of the uses of God’s House.

Mark 11:19-25

New Living Translation (NLT)

19That evening Jesus and the disciples left[a] the city.

20The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”

22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.[b]”

Footnotes:

1. Mark 11:19 Greek they left; other manuscripts read he left.
2. Mark 11:25 Some manuscripts add verse 26, But if you refuse to forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins. Compare Matt 6:15.

   Verse 20 inidcate that this is now Tuesday morning, The fact that the tree was not only cursed but now withered emphasizes the power of true faith. It has been suggested that the fig tree represented Israel, which bore no fruit and would soon face the judgement of God. We come now to vss 22,23: The picture of casting a mountain into the sea is an extreme example of the absolutley impossible and that is the point

point. Having faith in God can accomplish the impossible.

Mark 11:15-18

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Clears the Temple

15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.[a] 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”[b]

18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

Footnotes:

3. Mark 11:16 Or from carrying merchandise through the Temple.
4. Mark 11:17 Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11.

Next time we will take a look at the reaction of the Pharisees to Jesus cleansing the temple (again!)

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The Triumphal Entry

The Triumphal Entry

The account of the triumphal entry is also found in Matt 21:1-11, Luke 19:29-38 and John 12: 12-19) We are looking at the account given in Mark 11. This is on the Sunday before Jesus death, He had come as the Messiah. For three years He had proclimed this to the nation of Israel through never ending travel and many miracles and the miracles of the twelve as well as the miracles of the sevety two. Jesus enter the Holy City amid the shouts of the people of hallelujahs and hosannas. They thought the hour of deliverance was at hand. Even at this point the people misunderstood Jesus mission was that of a spirtual kingdom, not of a political one as they supposed. They were looking for Jesus and His band to overthrow the Roman government. We see how quickly the tide of popularity can be turned in Jesus last week. He entered popular with the people, just a few days later these same people are crying out.”crucify him!” This week we will look at the events of that last week.

Mark 11

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry

11As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2“Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”

4The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. 5 As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.

8Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. 9Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
10Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!
Praise God in highest heaven!”

11So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

In biblical times when a king entered a city, if he was coming in as a conquerer he woud ride into the city on a horse. If the king was coming in peace he would choose a donkey or a colt and enter the city riding on the donkey or colt. Horse means war, a donkey or a colt means peace. Jesus came to bring peace in a way that was foretold 500 years earlier by the prophet Zechariah.

Zechariah 9:9

Zion’s Coming King

9Rejoice, O people of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.

As the Isralite pilgrims were making their way to the Holy City they sang Psalms, specifically Psalms 120-134. The words the crowds shouted upon Jesus entrance come from Psalm 118 And ended with verse 19 which speak about entering the temple for worship. Psalm 118 is a Messianic Psalm and the people recited this in recognition of Jesus Lordship.

Psalm 118

New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 118

1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

2Let all Israel repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
3Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
4Let all who fear the Lord repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”

5In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
and the Lord answered me and set me free.
6The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?
7Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me.
I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
8It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in people.
9It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.

10Though hostile nations surrounded me,
I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.
11Yes, they surrounded and attacked me,
but I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.
12They swarmed around me like bees;
they blazed against me like a crackling fire.
But I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.
13My enemies did their best to kill me,
but the Lord rescued me.
14The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
15Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
16The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph.
The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
17I will not die; instead, I will live
to tell what the Lord has done.
18The Lord has punished me severely,
but he did not let me die.

19Open for me the gates where the righteous enter,
and I will go in and thank the Lord.

20These gates lead to the presence of the Lord,
and the godly enter there.
21I thank you for answering my prayer
and giving me victory!

22The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
23This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.
24This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25Please, Lord, please save us.
Please, Lord, please give us success.
26Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
27The Lord is God, shining upon us.
Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.
28You are my God, and I will praise you!
You are my God, and I will exalt you!

29Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

Next time we will look at Jesus cursing the fig tree and clearing the temple.

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