STUDIES IN THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY COURSE
Welcome to our Studies in the Acts of the Apostles! The notes that are used here are actual sermon outlines that were first preached as early as 1994 and introduced to the WWW as “Weekly Outlines from LBC.” They have been slightly revised as we prepared them for use in Landmark Baptist Bible Institute-Canada on the Internet. Some other material that we have since found has been made available and added to our studies. The original title was “Preaching Thru Acts.” For the most part, these notes touch on every verse and phrase in the Acts of the Apostles with very few exceptions. We have not been afraid to tackle those verses that many commentators just skip over. In these cases we have as well resorted to the works of able men. The Bibliography at the end contains a list of the books we have read or resorted to in reference to our study. In short, this is not a study of “private interpretation.” There are forty-six lessons followed by an examination sheet.
Acts of the Apostles is a title given by the translators and is not in itself inspired. The Acts is really the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the New Testament churches. It is the only Church History book that is Holy Spirit inspired, given to us by God. The work of the Holy Spirit through the Church began on the Day of Pentecost, but the Church herself came into existence from the shores of Galilee. We do not hold to the Protestant view that the Church was born on the Day of Pentecost. That there was a church before Pentecost, that functioned as such under the Headship of Christ Himself is clearly seen and taught as we see the ministry of Christ before Pentecost.
Acts has no AMEN at the end of it, and in a certain sense is still being written by those churches and believers that have followed in doctrinal succession from the First Church instituted by Jesus Christ on the shores of Galilee. The church into which He first placed apostles (Cf 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Luke 6:13) functioned as a Church during this time.
While Acts is a book of Church history, there is therein to be found good sound practical doctrine. We therefore see here the practice of the teachings of Christ. The teaching of Christ, the practice of the New Testament churches, continued throughout history to our time, by those who were called Anabaptists and later just Baptists. These existed in every age, and their history began with the ministry of those who in the Acts laid down the pattern and wrote it for the most part in their own blood as martyrs for the cause of Christ.
Acts was written by Luke, who also wrote the gospel by his name. Luke was a physician who later became a preacher and companion of the apostles, especially of Paul. It covers the spread of Christianity through three decades immediately following the death-resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. It is the only book in the Bible that traces the expansion of the early church. Acts is volume two of a two-volume work of Luke. Written to a man by the name of Theophilus, the first volume tells of the things Jesus began to do and to teach. In volume two, he tells how Jesus continues His work through the agency of the Holy Spirit.
The key verse to Acts is probably chapter one, verse eight. The time covered by the Acts is from the crucifixion of Christ ca A.D. 29 to about A.D. 60 or perhaps a little longer. Peter and Paul were still active in ministry at the close of the Acts of the Apostles. The Acts does not cover the ministry of churches and their establishment in every area. The two major apostles whose ministries are followed are Peter and Paul.
Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.
North York, Ontario, Canada
October 26th 2002.
PREACHING THRU ACTS
PREPARING THE CHURCH TO GO FORWARD
SCRIPTURE: Acts Chapter One
INTRODUCTION:
The author of the Acts of the Apostles is thought to be Luke the Physician. First of all, he wrote a former treatise, namely the Gospel of Luke. Secondly he was close to Paul whose ministry makes up the larger portion of this history of the early churches.
Luke wrote the Acts, probably about 62 AD. Jerusalem was not yet destroyed. Paul was still alive, or else Luke would have ended the Acts with a vindication of his ministry. Luke no doubt simply stopped writing where the current history ended.
The reason for the Acts is stated in verse 1-2- "that of which Jesus continued to do and to teach in giving commands unto the apostles through the Holy Ghost." The church was now going to locate permanently in Jerusalem, from which other churches would be planted in Judea, Samaria, and unto the ends of the earth. (1:8.)
The apostles were chosen by Christ himself at the beginning of his ministry. Paul says they were "placed first in the church" 1 Corinthians 12:28 Cf Luke 6:13. Which shows us that there was a church in existence before the day of Pentecost. Pentecost was not the birth of the church, as taught by Protestants and Pentecostals, and we have no reason to believe it was her birthday.
Let us look at this chapter and see how the apostles were prepared for the work which was ahead of them.
1. PERTAINING TO THE KINGDOM: Vs 3-4
A. Assembled Body: Vs 3-4
1. Christ showed Himself alive by many infallible proofs.
2. More than 500 brethren saw the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 15:6). If only one or two then we could say they were mistaken, or made up the story. 500 brethren cannot be wrong or mistaken. 500 brethren cannot be guilty of deception.
3. The purpose of this assembly (gathering) was to speak or teach Kingdom truth. Vs 3
4. The time element was 40 days. The total time from the cross to Pentecost was 50 days. Pentecost means 50th day after the Passover.
B.
Authoritative Act: Vs 4
1. While Christ was assembled with the Church he gave them a commandment, or direct order. Cf Luke 24:49.
2. This order from Christ, the Head of the Church comes in two related parts.
a) "do not depart from Jerusalem"....
b) "wait for the promise of the Father"....
3. The commandment was explained- "you have heard it said of me". This is reference to the ministry of John the Baptist. These disciples had been baptized by John the Baptist, and knew his doctrine.
Cf Matthew 3:11.
4. "John truly baptized (Gr. baptizo-immersed) with (Gr. en- in) water; but
you shall (not might or should) be baptized (immersed) with (in) the Holy Ghost (Spirit) not many days hence (from now).
5. Note here the two baptizers and the element into which one would be baptized.
a) John the Baptizer- in water.
b) Jesus the Baptizer- in the Holy Spirit.
The latter would take place once and for all on the Day of Pentecost.
(We will look at this more closely in our next lesson).
C.
Autocratic Restoration:- Vs 6-7
"Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel"?
This parenthesis in the events of this chapter is often misunderstood.
1. The question of the disciples was not a wrong one. They had long
been conditioned by Christ and the study of the prophets to expect a future restoration of their nation, Israel where the Messiah (Christ) would sit upon the throne of David.
2. Note that Jesus did not deny a future literal reign or restoration of the kingdom. vs 7.
3. He simply, said, "it is not for you to know the times or seasons". This is not even Jesus business, it is the Father's. They must be concerned with Jesus' business, that of the kingdom in its present spiritual or heavenly form. They were church apostles and must be concerned with church business.
4. How easy it is for any of us to forget our priorities. To get off base and strike out with questions and activities that are far from the order of the day.
2.
POWER OF THE KINGDOM: Vs 8-11
How quickly Jesus got the church back on target in setting straight their priorities for ministry.
A. Anointing of the Spirit:
1. Notice the use of the word power in vs 7 and again in vs 8.
a) The power or authority of knowing (knowledge).
b) The power or authority of witnessing (doing).
It was not for them to know the Father's schedule of future events. It was for them to know the power of preaching, of witnessing or making disciples.
cf Matthew 28:19-20.
2. They had the Holy Spirit in the sense of salvation. Cf John 20:22; Romans 8:9.
The emphasis of this verse is that the Holy Spirit would "come upon them" or anoint them for Christian service.
3. "Ye shall be witnesses unto me"-
Be aware of men who talk about everything and everybody but JESUS!
4. Notice that witnessing is automatic with the anointing of the Spirit. Spirit filled men do not have to be prompted to witness. Ye shall, not, ye should
or might be witnesses.
5. The scope of witness-
a) In Jerusalem- (start where you are, with your Jerusalem).
b) In all Judea- the immediate province.
c) In Samaria- The Samaritans were what we would call today half- breeds. Orthodox Jews would have no dealings with them.
d) Unto the uttermost part of the earth- this we often call "world
evangelism". A more correct and scriptural wording would be "world-wide witness".
B.
Ascension of Christ: Vs 9-11
The actual place of the ascension was at Bethany or near by, on the Mount of Olives. Cf Luke 24:50-51.
1. I believe the ascension of Christ at this point is significant.
a) He ascended following a final statement as to the duty of the Church, "to be witnesses."
b) The importance of his ascension is that He-
1. Would receive the promise of the Father to baptize the Church in the Holy Spirit. Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5; 2:33.
2. He would become mediator and intercessor for all those given Him by the Father (John 6:37), that is, for all born again believers. Cf 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24; Hebrews 7:25.
2. A cloud received Him out of sight. That is, from physical sight but not
from spiritual sight. The Christian sees Christ quite literally in
many spiritual ways. (Vs 10)
3. Two men stood by Him in white apparel. These were probably angels, but some think they may have been Moses and Elijah, since they are referred to as "men." The significance is that He was not alone, and if it was Moses and Elijah, then there is a connection between the Old and New Covenants represented in these two men.
4. Vs 11- this verse is rather humorous.
"Ye men of Galilee"- simple country folk.
"why stand ye gazing"- looking dumbfounded and stupid as if you were
not warned about this, or had not been given a task to do.
5. With the ascension is given a promise of a literal return of Christ.
a) This same Jesus- not another or a look alike.
b) the one whom you see ascending- no other.
c) taken up from you into heaven- leaving you here while He goes up to
heaven. Not the heavens but into the place of God, Heaven itself.
d) Shall so come in like manner- the same way as you see Him go up, He shall descend or come down again.
This implies a literal physical return of Christ to earth again.
(Daniel 7:13; Zechariah 14:4.)
3.
PURSUIT OF THE KINGDOM: Vs 12-26
The apostles returned from the Mount of Olives where Christ ascended, to Jerusalem. This is where the first Church would locate and begin her endeavour to carry out the command of her Head and Leader. They had been a Sabbath day's journey away from Jerusalem, which is a very short distance. Jewish tradition forbid travel on the Sabbath, to about three quarters of a mile. Now back in Jerusalem they went up into an upper room. Probably the same room, where they had received the Lord's Supper before the crucifixion.
Here they waited for the Promise of the Holy Spirit's coming upon them, and conducted the business of the church at hand.
A. Church Gathering:
1.
Here was the assembly of the Church. vs 13
2. This assembly included men and women. vs 14 about 120 believers. (there should probably have been at least 500- cf 1 Cor. 15:6.) Where were the other 380?
3. Was it that in that day like it is in ours, that only a minority obeyed the command of Christ thoroughly?
Only a small percentage of our Sunday morning service attend the evening service. Only a smaller percentage of this attend the Mid-week service of prayer and Bible Study.
B.
Continued Gathering:- vs 14
1. Church attendance is to be regular and continuous. (Hebrews 10:25)
2. These were in one accord, of one mind, spirit and purpose.
3. In prayer:- the spirit of prayer pervaded the early church. They were preparing for the promised infilling of the Holy Spirit.
4. Supplication- the word used here means "asking or to entreat- of making requests known to God."
5. Women were gathered with the men here, including Mary Jesus mother,
and the brothers of Jesus.
C.
Church Business Meeting:- vs 15-26
1. Peter took the floor, to conduct some church business. He was here the leader, but later James became the Pastor of the Church in Jerusalem, and Peter went away to serve in Babylon.
2. Notice that Peter was ready to relate to the Scriptures. The Bible not some man, is the Church's authority.
Vs 16.- Peter appealed to prophetic scriptures.
3. He saw the need to replace Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed Jesus.
4. Vs 17-20- Peter gives the story of Judas, a man who came up to the door of salvation only to end up in his own place in hell.
Judas had a Church office but was not saved. He fell from office, not from grace.
5. David wrote in Psalm 69:25 concerning he who would betray Christ.
6. Qualifications for an apostle:-
a) Accompany with the other apostles during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. vs 21
b)
Beginning with the baptism of John-vs 22
c) A witness of the living Christ at His ascension.
d) These requirements are necessary for one to be ordained (chosen and appointed) as witness with the apostles, of the resurrection of Christ.
7. They appointed or nominated two men, Joseph (Barsabas) Justus, and Matthias.
8. The casting of lots is a method of choosing, not heard of again in the New Testament. This should not be considered the same as democratic voting.
Note:- The preparation before they cast lots, was one of intense prayer for guidance.
9. The lot fell upon Matthias, and he is said to have been, numbered with the eleven apostles.
Note:- Matthias was no mistake. Some say that he was only the apostles or man's choice, but that God really chose Paul. That is not true and contrary to Scripture.
a)
Matthias was numbered with the eleven apostles Vs
26.
b)
Paul said he was one born out of due time, and an apostle to the
Gentiles. (1 Corinthians 15:8-9; Romans 11:13)
c) Paul no doubt considered Matthias as one of the 12 since he referred to the twelve after Judas was already dead. (1 Corinthians 15.5.)
Now the Church was organized and ready to go, just as soon as they received the promise of the Father. And this we will see accomplished in the next chapter.
CONCLUSION:
So we have our brief introduction to the New Testament Church, which Christ established and commissioned. Let us endeavour to make our church like that one. Remember, that this church was built upon Jesus Christ, with those who had accepted Him as their sin-bearer, and were immersed in water by authority of His name. You too must take this road called Jesus, to the Father, to Heaven and eternal life.
Sermon preached by
Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.
Landmark Baptist Church Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.
Sunday, September 11th 1994.and Sunday morning, February 4th 2001
PENTECOST
SCRIPTURE:- Acts Chapter
2
OUTLINE
1.
PURPOSE
2.
POWER
3.
PRODUCTION
1.PURPOSE:-
A. DAY: -
1. "When the day of Pentecost was fully come"-
2. Pentecost means..."50th day"
3. It took place 50 days after the Passover.
4. Pentecost is a Greek word for a Jewish feast Day...
Feast of the First-fruits...it was a harvest blessing.
Lev. 23:15-16...
"And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete; Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord."
Pentecost is therefore connected with "harvest".
B. DIRECTION: -
1. Pentecost from the standpoint of the New Testament Church, relates to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
2. The Holy Spirit would be the administrator or true Vicar of Christ...Acts 1:1-2; John 16:13.
3. On this day, JESUS baptized the church in the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:5; Matt. 3:11; Joel 2:28.
4. Individual believers were also "filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4; cf Eph. 5:18.
5. Nowhere is Baptism in the Holy Spirit mentioned after Pentecost.
Paul told the Ephesian Church there is "One Lord, One faith, one baptism...Eph. 4:5.
Since water baptism continued to be practiced after Pentecost...the "one" baptism must be "water baptism".
6. There is one baptism in the Holy Spirit - this was given to the church as a corporate body on the Day of Pentecost.
However, there are many individual fillings.
See 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9.
There is only one Calvary, it is a finished work. Likewise there is but one Pentecost. We can no more expect a repeat of Pentecost than we can expect a repeat of Calvary.
Those who do so, leave Scriptural ground for the doctrines of men.
C. DISCIPLESHIP: -
1. Discipleship is committed to the Church in what we call the Great Commission...Matthew 28:19-20.
2. Discipleship is carried out by Spirit filled men.
3. Those converted on the Day of Pentecost and after were discipled....
"...They continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine...." -Acts
2:41
4. Those who were discipled were first converted to Christ....
a/
Peter preached the gospel to them...2:14-36
b/ They came under conviction by the work of the Holy Spirit. vs 37
c/
They were brought to repentance- 2:38
d/
They were brought to faith in Christ-2:38
e/ They were baptized by immersion in water. Vs 38
f/ Those saved and baptized, were added unto the Church vs 41.
g/ These then continued in doctrine, fellowship, communion, etc. vs 42.
h/ These are called "saved" people...vs 47.
2. POWER: -
A. THE AUTHORITY: -
1. The word power refers to "authority". -Acts 1:8
2. The anointing of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost was one of power or authority. Not the authority of the commission (they already had that) but the authority of the leading of the Holy Spirit. This involves the administrative work of the Holy Spirit within New Testament Churches.
3. Authority is given to New Testament Churches to carry out the Great Commission. Scriptural authority is given to no other institution than that which was instituted by Christ on the shores of Galilee, and such churches as spring from her.
B. THE ABILITY: -
1. The apostles, especially Peter were just some backward fishermen until the day of Pentecost.
2. Note the difference between Peter's testimony of Christ outside of the Judgment Hall, and on the day of Pentecost.
3. Spirit fullness gives boldness.
4. Peter persuaded the crowd to the point of over three thousand saved, baptized Church members in one day.
5. The amazing thing at Pentecost was not the ability to speak in other languages (vs 6-11), but rather that so many were brought to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
C. THE ANSWER TO PROPHECY: -
1. Pentecost is the answer to Scripture-Acts 2:16 cf Joel 2:28-32.
2.
"This is the (beginning) of that...vs 16
3. Peter does not say that Pentecost is the complete fulfillment of Joel's prophecy concerning the last days (Rev. 6:12) Peter does not see a celestial cataclysm (vs 19,20). Yet it is that of which Joel speaks because it is the "beginning of that".
4. In Peter's Pentecostal sermon, he constantly related to Scripture, which pointed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
3. PRODUCTION: -
A. THE PREACHING: -
1. In dealing mainly with Jews, Peter alluded to the Prophets of Israel. He talked about Moses, and David the King. All in relating to Christ.
2. He showed from Old Testament Scripture that Jesus, whom they had rejected and crucified, was Lord and Christ. He was their Messiah, the Son of God.
3.
Under the power of the Holy Spirit Peter put the blame for Jesus' death
where it belonged, on them. Vs 36
The Jews as a nation were to be blamed for
Jesus death, even though many individuals may not have personally consented to
it.
B. THE PROMISE: -
1. The promise (vs 39) is that of salvation in Jesus Christ, and the indwelling Holy Spirit to all believers. Cf Eph. 2:13; Rom. 8:9.
2. This is based upon the fact that Jesus had died to give "remission of sins" to all who believe.
3. In vs 37 there is a general call to all who would hear with their ears.
In vs 41 there is the result of the efficient call to all who heard in their hearts.
Note: - Conviction is not salvation.
See - Romans 10:9-13.
C. THE PEOPLE: -
1.
Those who merely asked questions- vs
12
Asking questions about God's sovereign grace does not make you a recipient of it. Asking about new automobiles does not constitute a sale or give you ownership of a new car.
2. Those religious folk who said the disciples were drunken- vs 13.
Some see only preachers, others see men of God with a message from heaven. Some see the negative while others see something positive.
3.