It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel. The author of the prophecy is identified only as joel the son of pethuel. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. The first principle is to note the historical setting in which a biblical book was. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible commentary. Oct 11, 2011 t he identity of theophilus is a mystery to bible students. Acts of the apostles, the fifth book in the new testament and the second treatise by the author of the third gospel, traditionally known as luke.
The book of acts is a historical account of who the early church was. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Book of acts definition of book of acts by the free dictionary. Therefore god gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonor.
Who was the intended audience for acts of the apostles answers. The gospel message is the good news of gods grace, so it is important to know what grace is and to constantly seek to get a better view of what grace does in our lives. The text of the book of the acts of the apostles circulated in the early church in two quite distinct forms, commonly called the alexandrian and the western. For permission to reproducedistribute these resources from steve cole including the word document and audio files found on the individual lesson pages below please see bible. Acts is written to theophilus, meaning the one who loves god. The word in greek means friend of god and thus both luke and acts were. Acts and the gospel of luke make up a twopart work, lukeacts, by the. The outline is indicated by jesus command that his disciples bear witness to him in jerusalem, and in all judea and samaria, and to the ends of the earth 1. Acts is the book that describes the narrative of the early apostles lives, focusing especially on the two most prominent of those apostles which were peter. Audio and manuscripts are available for each lesson.
The purpose of the book of acts is governed by the jews response to peter and paul. Historians are not sure who this theophilus mentioned in luke 1. Luke intro to luke biblica the international bible society. This is a wednesday night bible study in the as we go through the book of acts if you have never been with us on a wednesday night, let me just give him a quick overview of what were doing before. Joel is referred to only once in the new testament acts 2. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. Grace is closely related to gods benevolence, love, and mercy. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. The greek septuagint lxx, and the latin vulgate versions of the old testament assigned the title exodus to this second book of moses, because the departure of israel from egypt is the dominant historical fact in the book 19.
It is taken to mean that she possessed decidedly greater ability than her husband and, all in proper sphere and manner, made it count for the work of the gospel. Book of acts read, study bible verses online bible study tools. Its subject and intention is nicely summarised by the words of the lord in chapter 1. Entry for hebrews holman bible dictionary one of 28 bible dictionaries freely available, this readable and easy to use dictionary takes advantage of the finest modern bible scholarship. This is the story of christianitys beginnings and how evangelism played a role in the spread of faith around the world.
Who was the intended audience for acts of the apostles. The main theological emphasis of the book of acts is the holy spirit. Luke recorded three rejections by the jews to peter and the apostles associated with him to the message of repentance and proclamation of the kingdom. It is thought that both the gospel of luke and acts of the apostles were written by the same author, and often argued that the two books were originally a single unified work.
Book of acts synonyms, book of acts pronunciation, book of acts translation, english dictionary definition of book of acts. Epistles were a primary form of written communication in the ancient world, especially during new testament times. Sabbath school study hour helping you get the most out of your sabbath school quarterly every week. While we dont know everything about the early church, we can learn a lot about the church from the book of acts.
A summary of the letter of paul to the romans romans in s bible. What we can infer from the evidence of the book of acts and the third gospel is. The book begins with jesus promise of the holy spirit, which is later fulfilled in reference to the jews, and then for the gentiles. Acts with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
Therefore god gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to. New testament, these fourteen books are arranged in a block following acts. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of acts. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at jerusalem. Reference to the holy spirit comes in a variety of ways.
It is an important book in understanding how we can be directed by the holy spirit and the role of jesus lessons in our lives. The acts of the apostles is a unique and therefore crucial book of the new testament. The book is filled with some of the finest saints ever to live, coming into contact with some of the most evil enemies of the cross ever to trouble the church. The following is an excerpt from the macarthur new testament commentary on romans 1. This would mean that the ancestor of d who copied luke and acts in all. But ye will receive power, the holy spirit having come upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses both in jerusalem and in all judaea and samaria and to the end of the earth. In the hebrew bible, the opening words, and or now, these are the names, served as the title. In the latter portion of acts, luke recorded three rejections of the jews to pauls overtures of salvation. Since many of the new testament books were originally written. Alexander states the purpose of acts in his commentary, as. It is thought that both the gospel of luke and acts of the apostles were written. Amazing facts 247 television station featuring the best in bible study streamed lived and ondemand. Acts includes apostles, prophets and miracle workers. The name appears only two times in scripture and both times in the writings of luke luke 1.
As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. Metzger, a textual commentary on the greek new testament stuttgart. Information and translations of acts in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy. Information and translations of acts in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Intro to acts biblica the international bible society. Content includes book studies on luke, ephesians, thessalonians, james, 1 samuel, john, and acts. The recipient of the book, theophilus, is the same person addressed in the first volume, the gospel of luke see introduction to luke. This 71 part expository study of acts was preached at flagstaff christian fellowship in 20002002. The greek septuagint lxx, and latin vulgate versions follow the hebrew masoretic text, titling this book after joel the prophet, the recipient of the message from god 1. In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24. Introduction to the book of acts study resources blue letter bible. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history.
It is uncertain what role in the early church he played but he is noteworthy in the thinking of luke for he directs both the gospel account and the acts account to theophilus. The book of acts is an important book for understanding the actions of the apostles, mostly paul and peter, after jesuss ascension into heaven. What does scripture mean when it says god gave them over. This commentary has been through advanced checking.
There was a certain man in cesarea that is, cesarea of palestine, of which see note on acts 8. Bible definition, the collection of sacred writings of the christian religion, comprising the old and new testaments. Characters of the acts of the apostles bible study. This year vintage church will take a journey through the book of acts looking at the movement jesus began with his church. After acts come a series of letters, which are either named after the people they were addressed to often the church in a whole city rather than individual people or the person who wrote them. Acts definition is a book in the new testament narrating the beginnings of the christian church called also acts of the apostles. The intended recipient for acts of the apostles was first a man called theophilus. Valley christian fellowshipvcf book of acts facebook. Your credit card wont be charged until the trial period is over.
The book of acts is the link between the gospels and the epistles. The acts of the apostles, fifth book of the new testament, a valuable history of. Bruce metzger on the western text of the book of acts. Importance the book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. The book commences with an inscription to one theophilus, who was probably a man of birth and station. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of the document.
The acts of the apostles often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. Acts was written in greek, presumably by the evangelist luke, whose gospel. Youre already logged in with your bible gateway account. Like most new testament letters, this letter is known by the name of the recipients.
The story of the storytellers the gospel of luke from jesus to. The next step is to enter your payment information. Tom constables expository notes on acts this is also available in the net. Acts 112 recounts the disciples witness in jerusalem, judea, and samaria. In addition, there are topical studies on issues such as spiritual leadership, gods redemptive plan, and old testament character studies. The book focuses primarily on the acts of two apostles, peter and paul. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Then comes effectively a sequel to the book of luke, which details events that happened after the life of jesus the book of acts. Acts or lukeacts is intended as a work of edification, meaning the. Understanding the book of acts in the bible thoughtco. The message of acts bible speaks today, by john stott, is an excellent commentary on the book of acts.
It is written in laymans language and is very readable as well as giving an accurate biblical account of this time in the history of the christian church. Starting your free trial of bible gateway plus is easy. The word epistle comes from the greek word epistole that means letter or message. This gospel is a companion volume to the book of acts, and the language and structure of these two. So lukeacts does represent a very interesting stage in the evolution of early. The 28 chapters of the acts of the apostles provide a wide variety of compelling characters, both good and bad. Acts of the apostles definition and meaning bible dictionary. The author of the acts of the apostles is the same author of the gospel of luke.