A. Peter’s Ministry (Chapters 1 thru 12)
1. The establishment of the church ...
2. The expansion of the church ...
The Apostle Peter preached with boldness & performed many miracles after Christ’s resurrection. Peter’s actions clearly demonstrated the source & effect of spiritual power. God’s people were able to accomplish their God-given tasks because of the power of His Holy Spirit who resides within the believer. The Holy Spirit is still available to empower believers today. It’s a matter trusting God that He is able to do all that he says He is able to do throughout scripture. We must accept that we are unable to do anything of any heavenly value by ourselves. The full power of God is available to us anytime as long as we believe it’s real. We need to turn to the Holy Spirit to give us the strength, courage, and insight to accomplish our work for God.
B. Paul’s Ministry (Chapters 13 thru 28]
1. 1st Missionary Journey
2. The council at Jerusalem
3. 2nd Missionary Journey
4. Paul on trial
Paul’s missionary adventures show us the progress of Christianity. The gospel could not be confined to one corner of the world. This was a faith that offered hope to all humanity. We, too, should venture forth and share in this heroic task to witness for Christ in all the world.
Nearly one fifth of Acts consists of speeches, primarily from Peter, Stephen, & Paul. All their speeches had one common thread and that was to be a basic framework of a gospel proclamation. Their basic outline may have looked something like this:
1. The promises of God in the OT were now fulfilled.
2. The long waited Messiah had at last come in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
a. Christ did many good & mighty works by the power of God.
b. He was crucified according to the purpose of God.
c. He was raised from the dead by the power of God.
d. He now reigns by the power of God.
e. He will come again to judge and restore all things for the purpose of God.
3. All who hear should repent and be baptized.
This basic outline is our earliest example of the gospel proclaimed by the early church. It is the “foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20), upon which the church is built.”
Up next are the “Mega-Themes” found in Acts. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; The New Illustrated Bible Dictionary.
No comments:
Post a Comment