Acts Series: Bible Studies
by Rev Dr Iain Greenshields
In this series, we are studying the Acts of the Apostles – written by Luke to a friend in order to help him understand the growth of the church after the Ascension of Jesus. Each week a chapter will be chosen as we systematically work our way through the gospel. The Minister will take a section of that chapter to preach on, but over 5 of the 7 days in that week you will have the opportunity to read that chapter for yourselves as we explore together. If you have any questions as you study, please do not hesitate to either email the Minister or contact him by phone - he will be delighted to help.
Week 1
Day 1 Read Acts 1 and 2
Read both these two chapters and try and get a flavour of all the dramatic events that took place as the Church of Christ is born and takes its first steps into the world without the physical presence of the Master.
- What strikes you about the emerging young church?
- Upon what foundation does the Church have such dramatic results?
Day 2 Read Acts 1:1-5
The first book that is referred to is the Gospel of Luke – so Luke has written a full account both of the life of Jesus and the life of the early church.
- How long did Jesus remain in the locus of this earth after His Resurrection and what did He do during this time?
We wonder sometimes how the early disciples understood the events of the Cross and how it affected Jesus so clearly, but it is obvious that these things were revealed to them by the Risen Christ. He proved to them more than once that He was truly alive and not just some phantom, and he spoke to them about their new responsibility –
- What else did He instruct them to do?
Day 3 Read Acts 1:6-26
What happens to Jesus? His Ascension is a mystery because He does not live above the clouds – but it is indicative of Him being removed from the earth and of His going into the nearer presence of God.
- What does He ask His disciples to do?
- What then did the disciples do and how many of them were there?
- There is obviously an “inner sanctum” of 12 and Peter feels the need to re-instate this after Judas’ death. Was he right? Should he not perhaps have waited till Paul’s conversion?
Day 4 Read Acts 2:1-40
- What happens to the disciples as they wait and pray together?
This is called the Coming of the Spirit and the birth of the Church – Pentecost. This has a remarkable effect on Peter and the crowd.
- Try and write down the main points of this remarkable first sermon.
Notice how often Peter quotes the Scriptures of the Old Testament – mainly Psalms.
- How many people positively responded to that one sermon?
- What does this say about the power of the Spirit and the potency of Scripture when they are together?
Day 5 Read Acts 2:41-47
Do you see the fallout of the first preaching by Peter?
- What describes how the first followers of Jesus responded?
Notice that the believers met together constantly and formed very deep bonds with one another – this can be the great strength of Christian fellowship. Notice that there was a sharing of things between the believers and also notice the three marks of an authentic church:
The Apostles’ Teaching [the Word of God]
Fellowship [meeting together] in The Lord's Supper
Prayer