Introduction to Acts

1: Goal for the course: To hear what Holy Spirit has to say to us through what he has written

  1. Why study the Bible if we have the Holy Spirit?
    • The Spirit speaks in a different kind of way through the Scriptures as compared with dreams, visions and prophecies
      • Final authority
      • Clarity
      • Not just applicable to individuals, but universal
      • but not as intimate or personal
    • Of course he can and does use the Scriptures to give us a personal word
  2. Why study Acts in particular?
    • Luke gives us a “model” for the church
    • This model is not optional
    • If we are longing for the blessings and power of the early church, we need to study Acts seriously
  3. Acts is an incredibly well crafted book
    • Luke has not just sat down and scribbled it out
    • His Gospel and Acts were his life’s work
    • The Spirit helped him choose every word
  4. The need for Teaching and Response


2: How Acts hangs together