The Book of Acts: Discipleship in Action Pt. 1 Introduction

We have concluded our studies in New Testament discipleship and I hope that these lessons are a blessing for each one of us as we seek to be Christ's faithful disciples. 

Now, I want to study through the book of Acts with you because most of the discipleship lessons taught from Christ, were lived out by the apostles. 

My goal is to dig into this fascinating account of the birth of the New Testament church so that we can literally see discipleship in action.  The Spirit of God used Doctor Luke to be the author of this book, and it begins much the same way that his gospel did, a letter addressed to Theophilus. 

Let us compare the introduction to Luke's gospel with his introduction to the Book of Acts.

Luke's gospel an orderly collection of truth.

Luke 1:1  Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 

Luke noted that other men had written gospel records of the life and ministry of Jesus. The words "set forth in order" mean to put together in order, to create a logical arrangement, or to compose an accurate account of things that are "surely believed."   

The words "surely believed" mean to cause the life of Christ to be shown to the fullest,  revealing the things that He accomplished so that those who hear the gospel are fully, convinced and assured. 

Luke examined excellent eyewitnesses.

Luke 1:2  Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 

Luke said he researched and verified the truths that he obtained. Eyewitnesses  "delivered" means to deliver truth to someone else to keep, to use, take care of, and to manage.

The word "eyewitnesses" refers to seeing with one’s own eyes, an eye-witness. It is a medical term that is contained in the word "autopsy."  It means that doctor Luke completed a very detailed examination and concluded that the eyewitness accounts were most credible and true.

Luke conducted a careful examination.

Luke 1:3  It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 

Luke also was an eyewitness to these things and he used his observational skills to obtain an exacting and accurate record of the life of Christ. 

The word "understanding" means Luke was always present with Christ and His disciples, going wherever He traveled. It means to think about these truths in his mind so as to attain to the knowledge of it after conducting a thorough and accurate investigation. 

Luke's goal: My truthful record should be believed. 

Luke 1:4  That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. 

Luke wanted his friend Theophilus to become thoroughly acquainted with the claims of the gospel of Christ. He wanted his friend to have the most accurate presentation of the truth about Jesus Christ. 

The word "certainty" refers to gospel truths that are firm, anchored, and stable. Truths that are beyond any doubt. 

The word "instructed" tells us that Luke was a faithful witness for Jesus Christ. He orally communicated gospel truth to his friend Theophilus, because he wanted him to be born again and join him in the kingdom of God.

The Book of Acts continues Luke's gospel record.

Act 1:1-2  The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2)  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 

Luke began the book of Acts by connecting it with his gospel record. Many believe that Luke wrote his gospel account and his history about the birth of the Church very close together in terms of time. He is still recording truth in order to convince his friend Theophilus. 

That this is a continuation of Luke's gospel is made very clear in his introduction. Luke wrote his gospel and the Book of Acts to a believer named Theophilus. This man's name means "friend or lover of God." 

Luke's medical background is evident in his keen powers of observation and understanding. He delivered an eyewitness account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, from His birth to His resurrection. 

One key phrase Luke used is "all that Jesus began to do and teach." This contains a brief but clear synopsis of what Luke is doing in writing his gospel and the Book of Acts. 

He recorded in his gospel all that Jesus began to do and teach before He ascended to the Father in heaven. Then, Luke continued to record in the book of Acts what Jesus did and taught after He ascended to heaven as the mighty ministry of the Holy Spirit began. 

Luke was among those who saw the Lord return to heaven in clouds of glory. He faithfully recorded Christ's works and words until the day His disciples saw Him taken up in the clouds. 

Luke also noted that the Lord Jesus Christ gave commandments to the Apostles through the Holy Ghost. 

Things that Jesus did before He ascended.

Acts 1:3)  To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 

First, Jesus showed that He was risen from the dead with many infallible proofs. The word "showed" means to be physically present so that Jesus could be seen by and speak with believers. The idea is that by "showing" Himself alive, Jesus offered unshakeable proof of His resurrection from the dead. 

Luke tells us that it was after His "passion" when Jesus fully demonstrated He was alive. The word "passion" refers to the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross as He took our place, and absorbed the wrath of God as our substitute. 

The words "infallible proofs" mean that the facts and truth Luke wrote about cannot be argued against, or called into question. They are irrefutable truths. 

In fact, Jesus appeared to His disciples and continued teaching and interacting with them for a period of forty days until He ascended to His Father. 

Jesus spent much time speaking to His disciples about the kingdom of God. The word "speaking" means that the words of Jesus exhorted, commanded, guided and directed the believers. 

Jesus gave the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

Jesus put the Kingdom of God back in focus because He wanted them ready to fulfill the Great Commission as soon as He departed for heaven. Here is their vital mission: go teach all nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit and teach them to observe or obey the words of Christ. 

Jesus gave commands after His resurrection.

Acts 1:4-5  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Luke tells us that all the believers were still gathered in Jerusalem and that Jesus commanded them to stay put. They were not to leave Jerusalem or go out on their own in an effort to preach the gospel. 

Mark 1:6-8  And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; 7) And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8) I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. 

Instead, Jesus told them to be patient and to wait for the impending baptism of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist also spoke about this to his disciples. He made it clear that Jesus the Messiah would come after his ministry was over and He would baptize them with the Holy Ghost. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

The book of Acts is a firsthand testimony of a very careful man named Luke. Doctor Luke was a well qualified eyewitness who saw, heard and observed all of the ministry of Jesus Christ firsthand. 

Luke's testimony is unimpeachable and we can praise God for showing us how the New Testament church came into existence. 

The focus of the early church was fulfilling the Great Commission. It was living out gospel truth. It was loving God first and loving others. 

We are the blessed ones who can turn to Luke's incredible and detailed record of how Jesus directed kingdom ministry while He was present with His heavenly Father.

The phrase "of all that Jesus began to do and teach" is such an important statement, dividing the work of Christ into two great branches. 

First is His work on earth; the other His subsequent work from heaven. The gospels record the words and works of Christ in His own Person while He was on this planet. They record the complete and perfect work of redemption that Jesus accomplished for all mankind upon the cross. 

Second are the words and works of Christ completed by His Spirit. The four gospels contain the “beginning” of all Jesus said and did. The Book of Acts contains the continuation of the same words and works of Christ. 

I pray that the Lord will help us see and appreciate the practical working out of all the discipleship training Jesus poured into His disciples, as we study the birth of the Church. May we learn to live out our faith as these men did and may we be a blessing to all who are around us.

Bob