Lesson 1: Introduction

Proclaiming The Kingdom

If we had individual copies of the 27 books which comprise the New Testament, we likely would arrange them a little differently. Perhaps we would arrange Paul’s letters chronologically, rather than by length. We likely would group all of John’s writings (1 gospel, 3 letters and 1 apocalyptic vision) together. Definitely, we would place Luke’s two volumes side-by-side. That Luke intended his second letter to Theophilus to be a continuation of what he’d begun in the first is clear from his brief introduction (Acts 1.1-3).

Not much is known about the author. That Luke was a physician is known from Paul’s words in Colossians 4.14. That he was an occasional traveling companion of Paul is revealed in the “we” sections of Acts (beginning with Paul’s second missionary journey, 16.10, and going through Paul’s stay in Rome, 28.16). That he would remain a close friend of Paul is seen in the fact that Luke alone remained with the apostle at the close of his life (2Timothy 4.11). Those are the facts we know about Luke’s life, but one other truth can be gleaned about this brother: he thoroughly researched what he wrote!

Luke The Historian

Luke’s method was revealed in his first letter to Theophilus (literally “lover of God”): “it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:3–4, ESV). Luke’s careful research and orderly writing were done so that God’s people can KNOW the truth of these events. Consider this: we owe our knowledge of Jesus’ early life more to Luke than any other gospel writer. Could this have been because Luke spent years in Palestine while Paul was confined (see the “we” passages in Acts 21,27)? What was Luke doing during that time? It would seem likely that he used his time interviewing eye-witnesses of Jesus’ life and ministry. Perhaps, he even interviewed Mary (see Luke 2.19,51).

That Luke was a first-rate historian was not always accepted. In the early 1800’s scholars assumed that Acts was written in the mid to late 2nd century. The New Testament scholar, Sir William Ramsay, began his career laboring under this assumption. However, his research into the political boundaries of 1st century Asia Minor and sailing conditions on the Mediterranean convinced him that not only was Luke a 1st century eye-witness, but that he was a trustworthy chronicler of what he saw.

Commenting on Luke’s knowledge of political boundaries in Asia Minor, Ramsay wrote, “The boundaries mentioned are true to the period in which the action lies: they are not placed through the mistaken application by a later author of ancient statements to a time when they ceased to be pertinent: they are based on information given by an eye-witness, a person who had been engaged in the action described. The reader, if he reads the narrative rightly, can see with the eyes and hear with the ears of a man who was there and witnessed all that happened.” Even more significant was Ramsay’s conclusion on Luke’s trustworthiness: “There is a certain presumption that a writer who proves to be exact and correct in one point will show the same qualities in other matters. No writer is correct by mere chance, or accurate sporadically. He is accurate by virtue of a certain habit of mind. Some men are accurate by nature; some are by nature loose and inaccurate.” (see http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/ramsay/ramsay_gasque.pdf)

Purpose Of Luke’s Second Letter:

What was Luke’s purpose in writing this second letter? Many correct answers could be given…

• Luke was recording the early history of Christ’s followers, the church.
• Luke was recording stories of conversions, showing how people could come to Christ.
• Luke was recording the work of Jesus’ chosen messengers, hence the title we’ve given the letter, “The Acts of the Apostles”.
• Luke was recording how the promised Spirit came and was active in the lives of the apostles and the church.

All of the above are true and will be considered during the course of our study. However, it would seem that Luke tells us his purpose for writing this second letter. Note these passages from the beginning and ending of the book:

“He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3, ESV)

“He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Acts 28:30–31, ESV)

Both Jesus and Paul spent their time “proclaiming the Kingdom”. Thus, our approach to the study of Acts will focus on what it teaches us about the Lord’s Kingdom. But before we can do that, we first need to consider what the Old Testament scriptures and the gospel accounts tell us about the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God

Many are familiar with the prophecy found in Daniel 2. On that occasion Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had a terrifying dream which only Daniel could interpret. The dream foretold of four world empires (historically Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome), but in the days of the 4th world empire “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2.44). With that prophecy in mind we might view Acts 2 as when God’s kingdom, the church, was established and move on. However, understanding the kingdom of God will require a more nuanced approach.

Most think of “Kingdom” as the realm of the King, i.e. the people who are ruled by a King. Thus, while not inaccurate, when we speak about the Kingdom we typically mean the church, i.e. those who are in the Kingdom. But the primary idea of Kingdom isn’t the ruled over, but the ruler. Thus, often times in the Scriptures the term “Kingdom” has in focus the rule or reign of the King. Let’s briefly trace this concept through God’s word.

1. God has ruled since Creation
   • Note how God gave man dominion over all of creation (Genesis 1.26,28), yet man was under the dominion of God (2.16-17).
   • God exercised His rule in punishing man for his sin (Gen. 3) and in destroying the earth in the flood (Psalm 29.10)
   • And God has remained sovereign over all of mankind (Daniel 4.17; Psalm 47.2,6-8; 96.10-13; 103.19).
2. However, God chose the Israelites to be His particular people, thus His Kingdom.
   • His mighty rule was seen in delivering His people (Exodus 15.1-18; 19.5).
   • His people would abide by His covenant Law (Exodus 19.5-6). As God’s Kingdom, they existed to show others what it means to truly reverence Jehovah, to mold themselves after His holiness.
   • Sadly, we know that Israel failed in submitting to her King. They transgressed His will continuously and were punished for it (Isaiah 1). However, God promised the future coming of His Kingdom, when His rule was both enjoyed and respected by peoples of every nation (Isaiah 2.1-4).
3. Jesus & The Establishment Of God’s Kingdom
   • When Jesus began preaching the gospel He proclaimed, “the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand…” (Mark 1.15). Jesus wasn’t only looking at the approaching time when the church was established on Pentecost, rather that with His arrival the rule of God had come near to the people.
     • Thus, His miracles were a sign that the Kingdom of God had come upon them (Luke 11.20).
     • His teaching was a means by which the people were coming into the Kingdom of God (Luke 16.16).
     • His presence was the Kingdom in their midst (Luke 17.20-21).
   • Furthermore, Jesus promised that some would live to see the Kingdom come with Power! (Mark 9.1) While He did not specifically state what He meant, it seems likely that Jesus had in mind all of the events surrounding His death, resurrection and ascension, matters He had been discussing in Mark 8.31.
     • His death was the means by which He showed His power over sin. He was King on the cross (Matthew 27.11,29,37,42).
     • His resurrection was His victory over death, a victory that will extend to those in His Kingdom (1Cor. 15.20-23). His victory completed, He truly possessed all authority (Matthew 28.18).
     • His ascension was when He took the throne (Mark 16.19; Ephesians 1.20-23). Having ascended to the throne, He sent the Promised Spirit enabling His apostles to proclaim the gospel so that men and women could find salvation and be made part of His Kingdom.
   • By His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, the Kingdom had come with power!

Acts, Proclaiming The Kingdom

Following His resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days with His closest disciples. Luke records that during this time the Lord was “speaking about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1.3). Furthermore, before His ascension Jesus told the apostles that they would “be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1.8). They would bear witnesses to the fact that Jesus is now Lord and Christ (Acts 2.36); they were “proclaiming the kingdom of God” (Acts 28.31). They would bear witness for the King in Jerusalem (Acts 1-7), Judea and Samaria (Acts 8-12) and to the remotest part of the earth (Acts 13-28).

Our aim in this class is to follow Luke’s narrative, noting how the apostles fulfilled Jesus’ commission, how men and women were brought into the Kingdom and how the citizens of the Kingdom lived under the authority of their King. King and Kingdom are central to the narrative, so we will pay particular attention to what the text reveals about these matters. May our King bless our study of His word!