what are we studying now
Acts of the Apostles:
Who Wrote the Book of Acts?
The traditional view is that the Gospel of Luke and Acts were written by the physician Luke, a companion of Paul. Many scholars believe him to be a Gentile Christian, though some scholars think Luke was a Hellenic Jew. This Luke is mentioned in Paul's Epistle to Philemon.
What is the main message in the Book of Acts?
The Book of Acts is mainly about the introduction to the Holy Spirit and the enabling power of the Spirit in the lives of believers. Though many people are introduced throughout the book, the primary protagonists are the Apostle Peter (Chapters 3-12) and the Apostle Paul (Chapters 9-28).
Key Events and Themes:
Jesus's Ascension and the Promise of the Holy Spirit:
Acts begins with Jesus's ascension into heaven and the promise of the Holy Spirit to his followers.
Pentecost:
The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles in Jerusalem, empowering them to preach the Gospel in various languages.
Early Church in Jerusalem:
The book describes the early Christian community in Jerusalem, including the growth of the church, the sharing of resources, and the appointment of Matthias to replace Judas.
Spread of Christianity:
The narrative follows the expansion of the Christian message from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and eventually to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people).
Ministry of Peter and Paul:
Peter plays a prominent role in the early chapters, while Paul (formerly Saul) becomes a central figure later in the book, particularly in his missionary journeys to various regions.
Conversion of Paul:
The dramatic conversion of Paul, a persecutor of Christians, into a follower of Jesus is a pivotal moment in the book.
Apostolic Council of Jerusalem:
The book describes the council in Jerusalem where the apostles debated and decided on the requirements for Gentile converts to Christianity.
Paul's Missionary Journeys:
Paul embarks on several missionary journeys, establishing churches and facing opposition in various cities.
Paul's Arrival in Rome:
The book concludes with Paul's arrival in Rome, under arrest, where he continues to preach the Gospel.
Significance:
Historical Account:
Acts provides a valuable historical account of the early Christian church, including its origins, growth, and the challenges it faced.
Theological Significance:
The book emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers, the importance of missionary work, and the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan of salvation.
Bridge Between Gospels and Letters:
Acts serves as a bridge connecting the Gospels (which focus on the life and teachings of Jesus) with the letters (epistles) of the New Testament, which provide guidance for Christian living.
Understanding the Early Church:
Acts is essential for understanding the development and spread of Christianity in the first century and for gaining insights into the context of the New Testament letters.
What Are We Studying Now
The Acts of the Apostles, often called simply "Acts," is a book in the New Testament that chronicles the early history of Christianity, specifically focusing on the spread of the Christian message after Jesus's ascension.
Who is the Teacher
Mark is the primary leader of the class. We also rely on class participation to help teach each other through the sharing of personal experiences. It is not required that everyone participate but we encourage everyone to do so.
What we StudyOur lessons almost always are directly from the Bible. Our workbook is the Bible. We welcome anyone to our class who wants to study God’s word. Once we pick a book of the Bible to study we go through each chapter picking out information that we can use to make us better Christians and to learn more about God. We also help each other use the information we glean to help us in today’s world.
Who is the Class Designed for?We welcome anyone who wants to study the Bible along with us. We are a diverse co-ed group. We have found that the more diverse the class is the more interesting it will be so we encourage everyone to join us. God’s gift is for everyone. We can learn from each other.
Class Location
Class Location First Baptist Church - 1407 East Main Street - Bray Building Room #108 – Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 - Sundays 9:15 am to 10:15 am (See map)