Ralph Porter

© 2003

Author and Date

    The parallel introduction demonstrates that the writer of Acts and the writer of Luke were

         the same person.

    It has already been argued in the introduction to Luke that Luke the physician and

         traveling companion of Paul was the author of Luke.

              The "we" passages, compared to the historical comments in the epistles, would

                   confirm this view (16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16).

              Luke's authorship is also affirmed by the external evidence of tradition.

    Historical references at the conclusion of the book place it in the early sixties.

         Dates suggested are about A.D. 61-63.

Historical Background

    The Book of Acts picks up the story where Luke concludes.

         The Messiah has come.

         When He came, Israel's leaders did not want to hear the good news of His arrival.

         They were more interested in protecting their interests than in participating in God's

              program.

    Only the outcasts of society were interested in following Him.

         Therefore, God began a new program with them.

         Acts explains how God formed His new program with the remnant of faithful Old

              Testament saints and those who had been excluded from God's program previously.

    After the death and resurrection of Christ time passes.

         The church continues to grow.

         However, Christ has not yet come.

         The apostles are beginning to die.

    Therefore, Luke wants to leave an accurate record of the early development of the church.

    Acts bridges the gap between the life of Christ and the early church.

Purpose and Theme

    Luke's purpose is to describe how God formed the early church.

         He presents the change from life under Judaism in a national context, to life in the

              church as the body of Christ.

         The book serves as an apologetic for the church because it demonstrates that God was at

              work in its formation.

         God's confirmation of His hand in its formation is clearly demonstrated.

    The evidence of God's participation in the formation of the church, as well as the evidence

         of His protection of those who form part of it, serve to encourage those who are

         suffering for their faith in Christ.

    This is God's work and He will care for them.

    The content of the book traces the historical development of the church.

         Attention is directed to the groups that came to form part of that church and to the way

              in which God brought each group into it.

         The problems faced are handled wisely as the Spirit of God directed them.

         These decisions set the pattern for the future life of the church as well.

Organization

    The book is organized according to the major theological and geographical movements

         revealed in Acts 1:8.

              First the book looks ahead to the coming of the Holy Spirit (1:1-26).

              Then attention is given to the testimony of the early church in Jerusalem (2:5-8:3).

              Next the church moves into all Judea and Samaria (8:4-12:25).

              Finally, its expansion is traced into the corners of the earth (13:1-28:31).

HOW GOD FORMED HIS CHURCH                                                                                 Ralph Porter

Ralph Porter

Author and Date

    The parallel introduction demonstrates that the writer of Acts and of Luke were the same

         person.

              It has already been argued in the introduction to Luke that Luke, the physician and

                   traveling companion of Paul, was the author of Luke.

                        The "we" passages, compared to the historical comments in the epistles, would

                             confirm this view (16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16).

                        Lucan authorship is also attested to by the external evidence of tradition.

    The historical references at the conclusion of the book place it in the early sixties.

         Dates suggested are around A.D. 61-63.

Historical Background

    The Book of Acts picks up the story where Luke concludes.

         Messiah has come.

              When He came, Israel's leaders did not want to hear the good news of His arrival.

              They were more interested in protecting their interests than in participating in God's

                   program.

              Only the outcasts of society were interested in following Him.

              Therefore, God began a new program with them.

    Acts explains HOW God formed His new program with the remnant of faithful Old

         Testament saints and those who had been excluded from God's program previously.

    After the death and resurrection of Christ time passes.

         The church continues to grow.

         However, Christ has not yet come.

         The apostles are beginning to die.

    Luke wants to leave an accurate record of the early development of the church.

    Acts bridges the gap between the life of Christ and the early church.

Purpose and Theme

    The early church was suffering because of their faith in Christ.

         If they were to stand firm in the midst of the continual barrage of opposition, they had

              to understand their roots.

         Luke writes to tell the suffering church where we have come from.

              Gospel--WHY the new people of God was necessary.

              History--HOW God went about forming it.

    Luke's purpose is to describe the way in which God formed the early church.

         He presents the change from life under Judaism in a national context, to life in the

              church as the body of Christ.

         The book serves as an apologetic for the church because it demonstrates that God was at

              work in its formation.

                   God's confirmation of His hand at work in its formation is clearly demonstrated.

    The evidence of God's participation in the formation of the church, as well as the evidence

         of His protection of those who form part of it, serve to encourage those who are

         suffering for their faith in Christ.

              This is God's work and He will care for them.

    The content of the book traces the historical development of the church.

         Attention is directed to the different groups that came to form part of that church and

            to the way in which God brought each group into it.

    The problems faced are handled wisely as the Spirit of God directed them.

         These decisions set the pattern for the future life of the church as well.

Organization

    The book is organized according to the major theological and geographical movements

         revealed in Acts 1:8.

              First the book looks ahead to the coming of the Holy Spirit (1:1-26).

              Then attention is given to the testimony of the early church in Jerusalem (2:5-8:3).

              Next the church moves into all Judea and Samaria (8:4-12:25).

              Finally, its expansion is traced into the corners of the earth (13:1-28:31).

    The story of the church's formation begins with the coming of the Holy Spirit.

    However, the book of Acts begins with the preparation for His coming (1:1-26).

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS OF CHRIST   1:1-11

    Review of Luke's conclusion   1:1-3

         The account begins where Luke ends.

               Luke relates this book to the other in his introduction to Theophilus (1:1-3).

              He first describes the things Jesus began to do and teach.

              By implication, Luke describes the things He continues to do.

    Promise of the Spirit's coming   1:4-8

         After relating this account back to the conclusion of Luke (1:1-3), Luke focuses on one

              final meeting in which Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit

         The disciples are told to go back to Jerusalem and wait for a few days until the Spirit

              comes.

         He will come on them and as a result they will be filled with power to be witnesses of

              the Lord throughout the known world.

         This event becomes the basis on which the rest of the book develops.

    Description of the Lord's ascension   1:9-11

         After Jesus leaves this final promise, the Lord ascends into heaven.

         Angelic messengers promise that He will return in the same way as He ascended into

              heaven.

DEDICATION TO PRAYER   1:12-14

    The disciples returned to Jerusalem as the Lord instructed them and dedicated themselves

         to prayer.

SELECTION OF A SUBSTITUTE   1:15-26

    As they were praying concerning God's plan for their future ministry, Peter is led to

         propose the naming of a substitute for Judas.

    The context of the event, the lack of biblical censure, and the significance of the substitute

         seem to suggest that this act was motivated by God's direction.

    The appointment of Matthias was caused by the loss of one of the twelve.

         They were frequently referred to by that name.

         It's inconceivable that they have a continual reminder of the defection of Judas.

         The presence of twelve would demonstrate that God's program was not upset by Judas'

              failure.

    The testimony of the church to Jesus began in Jerusalem.

FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH   2-4:31

    Its birth   2:1-47

              The Spirit came on the day of Pentecost just as Jesus had promised.

              The feasts of Israel looked back to great events of the past but they also looked ahead

                   prophetically to other great events in the future.

              Pentecost was inseparably united with the Passover.

                   It always came fifty days later.

                   It emphasized the result of what was foreseen in the feast of First Fruits.

                   It envisioned a new beginning.

              The coming of the Spirit brought a new beginning also.

                   He makes possible a new life.

            Peter indicates that the meaning of Pentecost was fulfilled with the coming of the

                Spirit fifty days after the fulfillment of the Passover.

         Coming of the Spirit   2:1-4

              When the Spirit came, He demonstrated His presence by physical signs which

                   attracted public attention and by foreign languages.

         Question of observers   2:5-13

              The external evidence of the Spirit's presence was observed by devout Jews who had

                   come to Jerusalem for the feast.

              These people are described as "rightly religious."

              They want to know what the signs mean.

         Explanation by Peter   2:14-36

                   In answer to their question, Peter explains the meaning of the signs.

              Inadequacy of wine   2:14-15

                   For the benefit of some who were making fun by saying they were drunk, he

                        answered that wine couldn't explain what they are seeing.

              Evidence from coming of the Spirit   2:16-23

                   Using Joel as a basis, Peter argues that the Old Testament had promised the

                        outpouring of the Holy Spirit following the coming of God to dwell among His

                        people in the last days.

                   What they are seeing is the evidence of the coming of the Spirit.

                        Therefore, God must have come to dwell among His people.

                   The coming of the Spirit demonstrates that Jesus is the Messiah.

                   Messiah came and demonstrated Himself to be Yahweh in the midst of Israel, just

                        as God had promised.

                Just as Joel predicted that those who call on the name of Yahweh will be saved, so

                    those who trust in Jesus will be saved.

              Evidence from the resurrection   2:24-35

                   A second evidence Jesus was the Messiah: the resurrection.

                   David predicted that Messiah would be raised from the dead.

                        Jesus fulfilled that prophecy and thereby demonstrated who He is.

            Conclusion   2:36

                   The logical conclusion of the proofs found in the coming of the Spirit and the

                        resurrection is that God is authenticating Jesus.

                Jesus is Lord, that is, Yahweh Himself, and Christ, the Messiah.

         Response of hearers   2:37

              When these who had been watching for the fulfillment of the promises saw the

                   evidence and heard about Jesus, they realized they were in trouble.

              If Jesus was Messiah and Israel killed Him, what could they do now?

         Exhortation by Peter   2:38-40

              Peter's response was two-fold:

                   They should change their mind concerning Jesus and

                they should identify with Jesus by baptism.

              By doing so they will identify with Jesus and be cut off from the generation of Israel

                   that is about to be judged for rejecting Him.

         Obedience of believers   2:41

              Many of those present recognized the truth of Peter's message.

              About 3000 identified with Jesus by baptism.

         Conduct of believers   2:42-47

              Those who accepted Him became part of the church.

              Luke summarizes the characteristics of the church in those days:

                   Their activity   2:42

                   Their amazement   2:43

                   Their commitment   2:44-45

                   Their witness   2:46-47

    Its growth   3-4:31

              Another glimpse of the development of the church is presented by the account

                   concerning Peter's second sermon.

         The sign   3:1-7

              The first message was confirmed by tongues; the second one was confirmed by the

                   healing of the crippled beggar.

              While the first message was directed to a select group of devout Jews.

              The second one was delivered in the temple to a more general group.

         The response   3:8-11

              They are amazed by what they see.

         The explanation   3:12-26

                   Peter again explains the significance of the sign.

              Power not from them   3:12

              Power from God to authenticate Jesus   3:13-26

                        Peter's message on this occasion is the message to unbelieving Israel throughout

                             the present age.

                        The miracle was designed to authenticate the Person of Christ.

                   Divine authentication and their rejection   3:13-18

                        Jesus, whom they rejected and crucified was their Messiah.

                   Divine authentication and their repentance   3:19-26

                             Since they did it in ignorance they can still correct the wrong they have

                                  committed.

                             They must change their mind about Jesus and turn to God.

                             Their return to God is prerequisite for the kingdom to begin. 

                        Therefore, they are urged to respond to God.

                        Peter's exhortation   3:19-21

                    Prophets' confirmation   3:22-26

                             When they do this, God's plan for Israel will begin again.

                             This is still the next step for the nation.

                             However, they will never do it until God moves them (compare Rom.

                                  11:25-27).

         The results   4:1-31

                   Peter's message met with a mixed response.

              Response from the leaders   4:1-22

                   Arrest   4:1-3

                   Hearing   4:4-22

                        The leaders rejected the message and put them in prison.

                        Many people received the message and believed in Christ (4:4).

                        The next day the council met to hear the matter (4:5-22).

                             The leaders question them concerning the source of their authority (4:5-7). "By

                            whose authority?"

                             Peter attempts to clarify the issue by redefining the question:

                                  Something significant has happened.

                                  A man has been healed.

                                  They had better find out what it means.

                                  The answer to the more important question is that the sign demonstrates that

                                       the one they rejected and killed was raised by God.

                             He is the only means of salvation and they had better trust Him (4:8-12).

                             The leaders are unable to decide how to handle the problem (4:13-18).

                                  Their discussion shows their unwillingness to hear the truth.

                                  They cannot argue with the sign.

                                  They also acknowledge the positive response of the people.

                                  All they can do is threaten them and release them.

                             The apostles hear the threat and respect the authority of the leaders but

                                  recognize a higher responsibility to God (4:19-20).

                             The leaders can only threaten and release them (4:21-22).

            Response from the church 4:23-31

                        The result in the church is revealed (4:23-35) when the apostles return to the

                             church to report what happened to them (4:23).

                   Apostles' report   4:23

                        As they commit the matter in prayer to God, they do not complain about their

                             suffering.

                   Church's prayer   4:24-30