Who was Luke?
· Was a doctor
· A good writer
· Man of relationships
· A good storyteller
· Meticulous
· Enjoyed fellowship and sharing meals
· Concerned about the oppressed and downtrodden people
Why study Acts?
Luke
1 (NIV) - Introduction
1
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been
fulfilled[a] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from
the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind,
since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too
decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so
that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Luke addresses his purpose of the book of Luke and Acts in
this single introduction. Luke writes so that we can know beyond the shadow of
a doubt the reliability of what are were taught. The written Scripture by means of this gospel
sealed the certainty of what could be written off a myth.
We must move from people from the legend of “a man who might
have once lived named Jesus” to the reality and relationship with a true and
living Savior.
Acts shows the MANIFESTATION of our beliefs.
Through Acts we learn our mission
1.
Global/world (Church) mission
2.
MCC (local church) mission
3.
Personal mission
Acts shows us how God helps fulfill that mission and the Power
(the Holy Spirit) by which the mission will be fulfilled.
Acts shows God's hope for His people.
Acts 1 (NIV)
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that
Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after
giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing
proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and
spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with
them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift
my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized
with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are
you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or
dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very
eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was
going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of
Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same
Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way
you have seen him go into heaven.”
