Eye-witness post-resurrection appearances
The risen Lord appeared many times after Easter. Those first-day appearances help explain the Lord’s Day — the church gathers on Sunday because that is…
Lesson 6 · Course 51
The Acts of the Apostles
The ascended Christ, the Spirit, and the church on mission to Rome.
At a glance
Summary
The ascended Christ, the Spirit, and the church on mission to Rome. Acts can be titled as the work of the ascended, glorified Christ — the story of the early church to about 63 AD, and just as truly the Acts of the Holy Spirit. The Lord who went up is still at work.
Big ideas
What to teach and remember
- Acts can be titled as the work of the ascended, glorified Christ — the story of the early church to about 63 AD, and just as truly the Acts of the Holy Spirit. The Lord who went up is still at work.
- Luke the beloved physician wrote Acts, not Mark. The “we” sections cover about a third of the book and match the voice of Luke’s Gospel — careful history from a companion on the road.
- Six purposes sit in this volume: fulfill the Great Commission; vindicate Paul’s writings and ministry; trace the gospel’s geography to Rome; show fair treatment by civil authorities; record Jewish opposition and rejection; and display the presence of the Holy Spirit.
- Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus ascended. About 120 waited in the upper room. Ten days later came Pentecost. When lots were cast for Judas’s place, the apostles chose Matthias — not Paul.
- Pentecost tongues were known languages, not unknown speech. Wind, fire, and tongues preach the Spirit’s arrival. The church grows 120 to 3,000 to 5,000 even as persecution escalates. Acts 4:12 still stands: there is no other name for salvation.
- The risen Lord appeared many times after Easter. Those first-day appearances help explain why the church gathers on the Lord’s Day — Sunday is resurrection day, not a leftover Sabbath.
- The map of Acts runs toward Rome. The gospel is not a Jerusalem secret; it travels, suffers, and lands in the capital because Christ is Lord of all.
Key terms
People, places, and words that matter
Six purposes of Acts
Fulfill the Great Commission; vindicate Paul’s writings and ministry; trace geographical development to Rome; record fair treatment by civil authorities; show…
Authorship of Acts
Luke the beloved physician wrote Acts, not Mark. The we-sections (about a third of the book) match Luke’s Gospel — a companion’s careful history, not another…
Sunday
Sunday is resurrection day, not a leftover Sabbath
Structure
Outline / timeline
- Eye-witness post-resurrection appearances
- Six purposes of Acts
- Authorship of Acts
Must remember
Facts to keep straight
| Quiz score | 100% (1 attempt) |
|---|---|
| Date | 63 AD, and just as truly the Acts o |
| Key claim | Acts can be titled as the work of the ascended, glorified Christ — the story of the early church to about 63 AD, and just as truly the Acts… |
| Key claim | Luke the beloved physician wrote Acts, not Mark. The “we” sections cover about a third of the book and match the voice of Luke’s Gospel —… |
| Reject | Six purposes sit in this volume: fulfill the Great Commission; vindicate Paul’s writings and ministry; trace the gospel’s geography to… |
Compare
Side-by-side contrasts
Six purposes sit in this volume
- fulfill the Great Commission; vindicate Paul’s writings
- ministry; trace the gospel’s geography to Rome; show fair treatment by civil authorities; record Jewish opposition
- rejection;
- display the presence of the Holy Spirit
Clarify
- Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus ascended. About 120 waited in the upper room. Ten days later came Pentecost…
- Not: Paul.
For the pulpit
Sermon hooks
- Wind, fire, and tongues preach the Spirit’s arrival.
- Acts can be titled as the work of the ascended, glorified Christ — the story of the early church to about 63 AD, and just as…
- Luke the beloved physician wrote Acts, not Mark. The “we” sections cover about a third of the book and match the voice of Luke’s…
Quiz drill
Quiz drill / review · open to practice · 10 items
Quiz score: 100% · 1 attempt
1. Acts can be described as the account of the work of the ascended, glorified Christ.
TrueThis book is not merely church history; it is the ascended Lord still working through His people.
2. The human author of Acts was Mark.
FalseLuke the beloved physician wrote Acts. Mark is another Gospel, not this volume.
3. One purpose of Acts was to fulfill the Great Commission.
TrueLuke shows the Commission actually going out — from Jerusalem toward the nations.
4. Another purpose of Acts was to vindicate the writings and ministry of Paul.
TrueActs stands beside the letters so Paul’s ministry is not a rumor but a record.
5. The time between Jesus' resurrection and ascension was 10 days.
FalseForty days, not ten. The ten days are from the ascension to Pentecost.
6. The promise of the angels at the ascension of Christ was that He would visibly and physically come again.
TrueThe same Jesus who went up will come again — visible and physical, not a mere idea.
7. Approximately 20 people prayed in the upper room waiting for Pentecost to come.
FalseAbout 120 waited and prayed, not twenty. The church begins as a room, not a crowd of twenty.
8. When the lots were cast in order to select Judas Iscariot's replacement, the Apostles selected Paul.
FalseThe lot fell to Matthias. Paul is called later, on the Damascus road — not by lot.
9. The 'tongues phenomenon' described on Pentecost was an unknown language.
FalsePentecost tongues were known languages the nations could hear, not unknown speech.
10. According to Acts, there are many ways to get to Heaven.
FalseActs 4:12: there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Essay themes
If you preach or review
Eye-witness post-resurrection appearances
The risen Lord appeared many times after Easter. Those first-day appearances help explain the Lord’s Day — the church gathers on Sunday because that is resurrection day, not a leftover Sabbath.
Six purposes of Acts
Fulfill the Great Commission; vindicate Paul’s writings and ministry; trace geographical development to Rome; record fair treatment by civil authorities; show Jewish opposition and rejection; and display the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Authorship of Acts
Luke the beloved physician wrote Acts, not Mark. The we-sections (about a third of the book) match Luke’s Gospel — a companion’s careful history, not another hand.