Southern Illinois Worship Center
One of the oldest manuscripts of the Bible, the Sinaiticus, doesn't title this book of the Bible, "The Acts of the Apostles." Instead, it simple titles it "The Acts." Throughout this book of the Bible you will see Acts of the Holy Spirit, the Acts of Jesus Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will see the Acts of the Apostles. The book of Acts has no formal ending because the story goes on. The Lord isn't done yet!
Acts 1:1-8 NKJV
1. The Former Account
Acts 1:1, Luke 1:1 - Luke 24:53
The Book of Acts was written by Luke. The “former treatise” KJV, referred to is the Gospel that bears his name. From his exacting use of the Greek language, we know Luke was an intelligent man. We also know from Colossians 4:14 that he was a doctor. Many Bible scholars and
historians further believe that since the slaves of wealthy men usually held the position of physician, Luke was a slave.
Luke refers to Theophilus by using a Greek word, kratistos, which means most excellent. TheRoman empire was divided into three classes of people.
- The plebes, common people
- The knights, people of influence, dignity, high social standing, and powerful
- The senators, the highest class
Kratistos was used as the same title given to Felix, the Roman Governor (Acts 23,24). Therefore, Theophilus was a man of high and noble stature.
We have a former slave writing to his former master, the Gospel of Luke. Luke wrote it for one person, but the whole world has now read the private letter to the man who freed Luke physically, about a man who’d freed Luke spiritually.
In the former account Luke wrote of the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, but that wasn’t the end, it was only a beginning. The former account was a beginning, but the account would be the continuation of the Gospel.
All of us have a former account, but that account was just a beginning, now you tell the continuation of the Gospel in your life. The old account was settled!
2. The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:41, 47; Acts 3:1-10; Acts 7
One of the oldest manuscripts, the Sinaiticus, doesn’t title this book of the bible, “The Acts of the Apostles.” Instead, it is simply titled “The Acts”. I believe that is the most appropriate title, for as you read through this book of the Bible, you will see the Acts of the Holy Spirit, the Acts of Jesus Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will see the Acts of the Apostles.
Luke’s first book the Gospel of Luke shows what the Lord did while on the earth. The Book of Acts tells us what the Lord is orchestrating on the earth from Heaven. It’s the continuity of the Gospel.
The Book of Acts has no formal ending, there is no consummation, no climatic ending. The reason that there is no ending, is that the story goes on. The Lord isn’t done, yet!
3. The Expectation of Action
Colossians 1:24; John 14:12; John 15:8
Jesus said we will be witnesses. Paul also tells us that we have a part to play. There must be a continuation of the testimony and the witness of the ministry of the Lord. Think about the words of Jesus in John, He tells us that the greatest work of Christian faith, is not what Jesus
began to do and teach, but in the continuation of what He “began to do and teach."
Matthew 28:19 Go…
The plan of salvation is finished. He bowed His head, and declared “it is finished." However, the Lord is not finished, the Holy Spirit is still being poured out, and the Church is still acting on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ. May we work the work of Him, that freed us!