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THE BOOK OF ACTS

 

Theme:  The Spread of Christianity (Part 1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    The theme of Acts is the beginning of the church and the outreach of the gospel “unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  We refer to it as “The Spread of Christianity.”

 

B.    We want to examine this theme as Luke has recorded it for us.

 

I.               THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY COMMISSIONED BY CHRIST (Acts 1:8)

 

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:  and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

II.            THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

A.    Jesus promised “another comforter” to the apostles (John 14:16-16; 15:26; 16:13).

 

B.    The apostles were to tarry in Jerusalem until the Spirit came (Acts 1:4-5).

 

C.    His coming would bring them great power (Acts 1:8).

 

D.    The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, and His work is seen throughout the book of Acts (Acts 2:1-4).

1.     Promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)

2.     Refilling of the apostles with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:23-31)

3.     Miraculous manifestations of the Spirit (Acts 3:6; 8:5-8)

4.     The sin of lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11)

5.     Powerful preaching by the Spirit (Acts 6:9-10)

6.     Resisting the Holy Spirit’s message (Acts 7:51-53)

7.     The reception of the Holy Spirit by the Samaritans (Acts 8:14-17)

8.     The guidance of Philip by the Spirit (Acts 8:29)

9.     The Gentiles received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-48)

10.  The call of Barnabas and Saul by the Spirit (Acts 13:1-4)

11.  The guidance of the Holy Spirit at the Jerusalem meeting (Acts

15:28)

12.  The guidance of Paul in his work by the Spirit (Acts 16:6-7)

13.  The reception of the Holy Spirit by the Ephesians (Acts 19:1-6)

14.  The predictions by the Holy Spirit of Paul’s misfortunes (Act

20:22-23; 21:11)

15.  The appointment of elders by the Spirit (Acts 20:28)

 

E.    The spread of Christianity was not due to human achievement only.  God was active in the earthly church and in the messengers of the gospel as He had been in the movements and teachings of Jesus.

 

III.          THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY FACILITATED BY HUMAN AGENTS

 

A.    Two main characters in Acts

1.     Peter (Acts 1-12) to the Jews

2.     Paul (Acts 13-28) to the Gentiles

 

B.    Numerous assistants:  Barnabas, John Mark, John, Philip, Stephen, Timothy, Titus, Luke

 

C.    A very important verse (Acts 8:1-4) - “The church” went everywhere preaching the word.

 

And Saul was consenting unto his death.  And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles…. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    We have begun to study the theme of the Book of Acts, “The Spread of Christianity.”

 

B.    Next week we will continue this study.