The period of his rule was marked by internal feuds and disturbances, which he put down with severity. Felix, drusilla and paul by danny brown the book of acts contains accounts of many conversions and some nonconversions. According to tacitus, pallas and felix descended from the greek kings of arcadia. While in judea, felix was attracted to drusilla, a daughter of herod agrippa i. When you finish this course you will be acquainted with all the important stories in acts. Fluent in seven languages, he made vast contributions to the literature of the new testament. Bruce was a well respected biblical scholar and his commentaries and books have greatly benefited the church of christ. The acts of the apostles is the fifth book in the new testament. The emphasis of the book is the fulfillment of the great commission. What does luke emphasize as the role of the holy spirit in a believers life. Acts was written by the same author who produced the gospel according to luke, yet there is no hard evidence about exactly who this person was. He was also the author of its companion work, the gospel of luke.
But in acts it is simply telling a story the story of jesus, the story of how jesus has changed someones life, changed a whole community. Researching the term name in the book of acts a study for jehovahs witnesses researching the term name in the book of acts a study for jehovahs witnesses. Jesus of nazareth was a man accredited by god to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which god did among you through him, as you yourselves know. Here is a summary and overview of the book of acts. Lightfoot was one of the greatest scholars of his day. The book of acts is a historiography following the styles mentioned above but adding a spiritual dimension that is different and uniquely christian. Researching the term name in the book of acts a study. June 11, 2011 mtt28247 leave a comment go to comments. We read of the evangelistic methods and message of the early apostles and preachers 3.
The recipient of the book, theophilus, is the same person addressed in the first volume, the gospel of luke see introduction to luke. The book of acts records that the apostle paul was arrested in jerusalem. Life after death experience nde with steve gardipee, vietnam war story one of the best ndes duration. Felix governed judea until about 5960 ad when he was recalled to rome to answer for disturbances in the province and irregularities in his rule. Acts bible book with full chapters king james version. John mark, therefore, is the representative of a life under the authority of jesus christ, and he takes the spirit of jesus christ and says. In the latter portion of acts, luke recorded three rejections of the jews to pauls overtures of salvation. It provides an inspired snapshot of the postascension believers and the progress of the gospel from jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Acts 1, new international version niv the bible app. Throughout history, most bible readers have assumed that the author of acts means to include himself as being among pauls company in these portions of the narrative.
The book of acts in 3 minutes thechurchatbrookhills org youtube. Felixs cruelty, coupled with his accessibility to bribes see book of acts 24. Luke records many examples of conversion in the book of acts e. In acts 24 paul is transferred to the governor felix for protection from the jews. An analysis of professor walkers 2001 presentation.
This book of acts bible study pamphlet shows that god is active. The book of the acts new international commentary on the new. This notion, however, has been thoroughly discredited. One finds embedded in acts a record of christian defenses made to both jews. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy english.
It comes directly after the four gospels and before the letters of paul. Acts is the only biblical book that chronicles the history of the church immediately after jesuss ascension. Luke is uniformly identified as the author acts by the second century a. Peter is not mentioned in acts after the account of the council. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries.
The book is anonymous, after all, and these scholars claim it presents a rather different picture of paul from the one that we obtain from his own letters. In this book we see the first mention of the dispensation of the holy spirit and jesus command to take his gospel to all the world. The message of acts is the church of jesus christ is divinely established and spiritually empowered to proclaim the gospel and plant believing communities locally, regionally, and globally. What makes this book unusual is that it can neither be treated as theological fiction nor can it be used as a fully reliable source of. Marcus antonius felix was the roman governor of judea, when paul was accused of creating a revolt among the jews in the temple. Dec 19, 2012 if you look at acts, youll notice that the first section covers peter acts 112 and the second section covers paul acts 28.
The acts of the apostles the book of acts is a historiography following the styles mentioned above but adding a spiritual dimension that is different and uniquely christian. Emperor claudius appointed felix governor in about 52 ad. The book of acts introduction the book of acts is a unique book in the new testament. Acts records the apostles being christs witnesses in jerusalem, judea, samaria, and the surrounding world. The offering sent by barnabas and saul to the jerusalem elders. Although he suppressed the robbers and murderers who infested judea, and among them the egyptian to whom lysias refers acts 21. Aug 27, 2009 41 videos play all book of acts full movie the visual bible biblemovies the prophet elijah part 1 of 5 1 kings 17 duration. The book begins with the ascension of jesus and goes on through pauls jail time in rome, which opens his ministry to the church at rome. The word baptized is found just 16 times combined in the four gospels but 19 times in the book of acts.
This fantastic bible study pamphlet provides loads of information at a glance. It is no different than with this work on the book of acts. The book of acts in 3 minutes thechurchatbrookhills org. Much of the action in acts is thousands and thousands of people being buried with christ in baptism waters. Luke recorded three rejections by the jews to peter and the apostles associated with him to the message of repentance and proclamation of the kingdom. If you look at acts, youll notice that the first section covers peter acts 112 and the second section covers paul acts 28. Perhaps luke was using it to mean any christian reader.
Stephen said some words from the book by the prophet isaiah isaiah 66. The fact that drusilla was already married made no difference to felix. Their son perished together with drusilla, along with noted roman historian pliny the elder plus most of the populations of pompeii and herculaneum in the ad 79 eruption of. Liberal critics of the bible have frequently alleged that acts is not a reliable document from the standpoint of history. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy. Our general aim is for you to become acquainted with the book of acts and some of its main teachings. Luke had no way of knowing how long the church would continue. Despite revolt by the jews against rome, felix was able to maintain some order in judea acts 24. The historical reliability of the acts of the apostles, the principal historical source for the apostolic age, is of interest for biblical scholars and historians of early christianity as part of the debate over the historicity of the bible archaeological inscriptions and other independent sources show that acts contains some accurate details of 1st century society with regard to. Learn by example and become a better writer with kibins suite of essay help services. Guest preacher prof paul trebilco, head of the dept of theology at otago university, gave this very scholarly interpretation of what was in lukes mind in writing the acts of the apostles. More than likely, luke completed the book before either of these events occurred, sometime between ad 60 and ad 62, while paul sat in prison, awaiting the resolution of his appeal.
Among the accounts of nonconversions, none is more interesting than the account of felix and drusilla recorded in acts 24. Firsts in the book of acts barnes bible charts coming of the holy spirit acts 2 establishment of the church acts 2 1st gospel sermon preached acts 2 1st baptism in the name of christ acts 2 1st worship in the new testament church acts 2. The book of acts can be outlined into 2 major divisions based upon whose ministries. And the book of acts is about being witnesses witnesses to jesus you will be my witnesses think of stephen, and peter, and paul. The testimony of acts as to the evil character of felix is fully corroborated by the writings of josephus bj, ii, xiii. A basic overview of the structure for the book of acts. The egyptian, who is mentioned also in the acts of the apostles. I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work. Antonius felix was formerly a slave but was promoted by claudius caesar to the office of governor.
It serves as a transition between the gospels and the epistles. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the. The egyptian, who is mentioned also in the acts of the. And because there was a plot against his life, the local roman chiliarch claudius lysias transported him to caesarea, to stand trial before felix acts 23. Browse essays about book of acts and find inspiration. Acts is the second book in the history that luke wrote. But stephen reminded the jews that god was bigger than any temple. Acts was written by the same author who produced the gospel according to luke, yet there is no. I would like to receive email updates about the jesus film project. Jan 02, 2020 the emphasis of the book is the fulfillment of the great commission.
That there would be heaps of lessons to be learned from the book of acts should be obvious this is after all the brand new, pristine body of believers closest to christ and closest to the original vision of what the church should look like. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. Our story starts off where the gospel of luke left offjesus is back now that hes resurrected, jesus decides to hang out and chat with his disciples whom luke calls apostles for forty days. Luke acts makes up 28% of the new testamentmore than that written by either paul or john. Historical reliability of the acts of the apostles wikipedia. When we are about to do something that we shouldnt our conscience is warning us to stop. As keener observes, although luke does not paint a flattering picture of felix. Jun 11, 2011 much of the action in acts is thousands and thousands of people being buried with christ in baptism waters. This he did notwithstanding his poor administration tacitus annals xii. The book of acts sheds light on the gift of the holy spirit, who empowers, guides, teaches, and serves as our counselor.
Once drusillas brother, herod agrippa ii, had been assigned the tetrachy of herod philip i along with batanea, trachonites and abila in around 4950, he broke off her engagement to epiphanes and gave her in marriage to gaius julius azizus, priest king of emesa, who, in order to obtain her hand, consented to be circumcised. Authorship it is generally held that luke, the physician and traveling companion of paul wrote both the gospel of luke and the book of acts. Authorship of actsluke is the author of the book acts. The temple in this book called acts was the third temple.
Felix became the procurator by the petition of his brother. He was active in the book of acts, and he is active in our lives today. The following is a list i keith put together in preparation for a study i had with a jehovahs. He may not speak to you through every verse, but he will speak. The purpose of the book of acts is governed by the jews response to peter and paul. Pastors and church leaders especially need to revisit the book, immerse themselves in it, and not leave until it produces some radical changes in their thinking and practice. Josephus states that they had a son named marcus antonius agrippa and a daughter antonia clementiana. Now you see in the book of the acts how that spirit is found. Through the book of acts, youll notice that both apostles perform miracles through the power of the spirit, see visions, suffer, preach powerfully, and were imprisoned and later miraculously set free. Read one chapter each day and spend time with god using the devotionals and questions provided. In one of his works defending the supernatural character of the new testament, he said of the book of acts.
The book of acts gives no further information on her subsequent life. Josephus relates these events in the second book of his history. Apr 19, 2011 life after death experience nde with steve gardipee, vietnam war story one of the best ndes duration. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. The book of the acts new international commentary on the. As we have followed the life of paul in the book of acts we have seen a believer who obeys the holy spirit and as a result has a clear conscience before god and man. John ritenbaugh explores the possibility that the book of acts, in addition to its role in continuing and advancing the gospel or good news, could well have been assembled as an exculpatory trial document designed to vindicate the apostle paul and the earl. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Acts 1 niv bible in my former book, theophilus, i wrote. The ending of the book of acts and writing volume 3. The book of acts 3 goals this course is designed for christians who have already studied one or more bible courses.
Now when festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from c. When he does, record the verse number, what it is he seems to be saying to you and your response to him in this final step. The jews accused him of desecrating their temple acts 21. This reading guide was written by newspring staff and volunteers to guide you through the book of acts in 28 days. What todays church needs to learn from the book of acts. Read acts prayerfully, objectively, thoughtfully, and attentively as you listen for god to speak.
Baur 17921860 of germany popularized this view more than a century ago. The event which led to pauls discourse before felix and drusilla was the riot in jerusalem. This film depicts the birth of the early church through the eyes of luke, the author of the gospel of luke. The roman historian tacitus described felix as cruel, licentious, and base. In the time of felix it was said to paul by the centurion in jerusalem, when the multitude. If we fail to learn about what real christianity is from the book of acts, we will just keep on playing church, pleasing men, and displeasing god. Although he is twice called most excellent felix 23. There is not so much a single theme, as there are multiple themes or lines to the story, as this is an historical document. Acts reading guide devotional reading plan youversion bible. But it is worth while comparing the account of the egyptian given here with that contained in the acts of the apostles.
Keys for kids devotional using an image of a stop light explain how our consciences are like stop lights. For assurance of our own salvation, we can compare our own conversion experience with those in acts. This book falls in line with the rest of the new international commentary on the new testament edited by gordon fee. The bible book of acts with full chapters, footnotes and bible commentary to aid your bible search, reading, and study.
345 1084 1277 1083 1133 883 971 496 784 702 1257 685 282 865 849 517 362 208 1365 875 29 1531 165 772 1220 1246 1210 1449 707 1220 1193 1236 944 1017 1501 401 1030 1257 949 1251 967 1019 324 233 724 828 818 1040 1084 352 1157