Introduction:

1. Having studied the New Testament church from a thematic view, it seems worthwhile to see her establishment and early expansion in Acts.

2. Acts is rightly called a book of conversions, but we want to dig deeper and discern why this book of conversions was given.

3. In this great book, we will learn how to take Christ to the world.

Discussion:

I. The Background of the Book

A. Luke is the author of both Luke and Acts (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-2).

B. Prior to His ascension, Jesus told the eleven remaining apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit (Luke 24:45-49).

C. The contents cover about 30 years from Christ’s ascension to Paul’s second year of imprisonment at Rome ca. 30/33- 63 AD.

II. The Purpose of the Book

A. The recorded conversions inform our work of evangelism, seeing the things necessary to convert and be converted.

B. Perhaps the greatest purpose of the book is the recording of God’s fulfillment of promises from long ago.

1. David’s throne is restored (1:3-8; 2:25-36; 13:22-33; 15:14ff).

2. Isaiah’s servant songs were fulfilled (13:46-47; Isaiah 49:6).

3. The promised Spirit of God was given (2:16-21; Joel 2:28-32).

4. The blessings promised to Abraham were shed abroad (Genesis 12:3; 22:17-18; Galatians 3:15-29, esp. 26-29).

III. The Foundation of the Book

A. Luke took Theophilus back to his gospel account (1:1-2).

B. The authority of both treatises is the fact Jesus rose from the dead (Luke 24; Acts 1:3; 2:22ff; 3:15, 26; 10:40-41; 13:30, 34; 17:31).

C. From cover to cover, the evangelistic efforts of the apostles and their converts are founded and grounded in the resurrection.

1. As we approach this series, we want to note the fulfillment of these promises, and the outworking of them in the teachers and the taught.

2. This is the blueprint to bring Christ to the world and the world to Christ.