Week 2 Discussion – ACTS: We Are The Church.

Welcome to our 12-week Bible study, ‘Acts: We Are The Church,’ delving into the Book of Acts—a continuation of Jesus’ ministry through the early church.

Throughout this study, you’ll gain a profound understanding of how the early church carried forward the mission of Jesus, performing miracles, spreading the gospel, and facing challenges with unwavering faith. We’ll explore the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the formation of a vibrant community of believers.

Each week, we’ll dive into a different aspect of Acts, examining themes of faith, courage, and unity among believers. Together, we’ll discover what it means to be part of the body of Christ and how these early church experiences can inform our lives as modern-day Christians. 

Discover a profound understanding of the Scriptures, relish the fellowship with fellow believers, and experience the delight of nurturing your faith while sharing the Gospel of Jesus with others. Don’t miss out!

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Week 2: You Will Be My Witnesses

Here’s a quick recap of what we covered in week two using Justin S. Holcomb’s Acts: A 12-Week Study (Knowing the Bible) as our weekly discussion guide:

• Highlights the events and details about Jesus’ ascension.
• Highlight what and who played a crucial role in spreading the gospel message.
• How the disciples’ call to witness connects to the growth of the early Church.
• How God uses significant barriers, opposition, and sins to advance His kingdom.

1. The Promise of the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ Return (1:1-11).

Acts 1:1 addresses “Theophilus” and references a previous book, the Gospel of Luke.  Here in the first verse of Acts the work and teachings of Jesus are center stage.  Why do you think that is?  Why do you think that might be important to what Luke is going to say?

In Acts 1:1, Luke addresses “Theophilus,” highlighting the centrality of Jesus’ teachings and actions as he introduces the book. This emphasis is crucial because Acts continues the narrative from Luke’s Gospel, showcasing how Jesus’ ministry carries on through His followers.

By making Jesus the focal point, Luke underscores the seamless connection between the Gospel and Acts, revealing how the early Church’s actions are an extension of Jesus’ mission and teachings. This connection is vital for understanding Jesus’ foundational role in the growth of the Christian faith and His ongoing significance in the Church’s unfolding story.

In Acts 1:1 Luke also makes the point that in the Gospel of Luke he wrote about “all that Jesus began to do and teach.”  What does that phrase imply about the content of Acts?

The phrase “all that Jesus began to do and teach” in Acts 1:1 implies that Acts will continue the narrative of Jesus’ work and teachings through His followers, highlighting the ongoing impact of His ministry.

In Acts 1:6 the disciples ask Jesus, “will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”  Jesus responds by telling them that it is not for them to know the times or seasons, but rather “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (1:8). How does Jesus’ response challenge and expand the disciples’ thinking and understanding the gospel?

Jesus’ response in Acts 1:8 shifts the disciples’ focus from a narrow, nationalistic perspective of the kingdom to a global mission empowered by the Holy Spirit, challenging them to see the universality of the gospel and their role as witnesses to all nations.

How might Acts 1:8 provide a structural and thematic template for the rest of book? Where do you see this?

Acts 1:8 provides a template for the geographical progression of the gospel throughout the book, which is reflected in the sequence of events as it spreads from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and eventually to the Gentile world and beyond. This progression is evident in the narrative structure of Acts to be made applicable in our daily lives of engaging people where we live, work, and play.

2. Matthias Chosen to Be amount the Apostles (1:12-26).

One way to summarize the message of Acts is that it is the story of the continuing work of Jesus through his witnesses, despite significant internal and external oppositions and barriers.  Throughout Acts we will see that God oftentimes directly uses these oppositions to advance the gospel.  This latter half of the first chapter of Acts describes how this was true even for the first disciples of Jesus.  Judas, one of their very own, betrayed Jesus.  But we see that Jesus uses significant barriers, oppositions, and even sins like this to advance his kingdom.  How do we see this in Acts 1:12-26 and the choosing of Matthias?  Can you think of any other Old Testament and or New Testament passages that also illustrate this?

Acts 1:12-26 indeed demonstrates the theme of God using significant barriers, oppositions, and even sins to advance His kingdom. In this passage, the disciples are faced with the betrayal of Judas, a significant challenge.

However, they respond by seeking God’s guidance and choosing Matthias to replace Judas, ensuring that the apostolic ministry continues effectively. This illustrates how God can bring good out of difficult situations to advance His purposes.

Other biblical passages that illustrate this theme include:

• The story of Joseph in Genesis (Genesis 37-50): Joseph’s brothers’ betrayal and selling him into slavery ultimately led to him becoming a key figure in Egypt, saving his family and many others during a severe famine. God used their sinful actions to accomplish His greater plan.
  
• The crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19): The most significant example is Jesus’ crucifixion, where the ultimate act of human opposition and sin resulted in the salvation of humanity. God used this horrific event to accomplish the redemption of mankind.
  
• The persecution of early Christians (Acts 8:1-4): When the early church faced persecution in Jerusalem, it led to the scattering of believers, which, in turn, led to the spread of the gospel to other regions. Opposition catalyzed the expansion of the Christian faith.

Take a few moments now to ask the Lord to bless you, change you, and help you understand and apply the unique light Acts throws on the gospel to your life.

We hope these notes have helped catch up on what we’ve covered. We’re excited to continue our study of Acts together next week in week three!

In the meantime, explore a very engaging animation video from the Bible Project team that explains the first twelve chapters of the Book of Acts.

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