Text:

“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:1-3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The Book of Acts is yet unfinished. The Book is a book of action and of the acts of the Apostles. It concludes with a present tense. The responsibility is on us to continue this book of Acts.

“Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭28:30-31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Purpose:
Overview of the Book of Acts

Paul embarked on 3 distinct missionary journeys as accounted in the Bible, which can serve as a model for modern day missions.

Paul was a faithful missionary and wrote many books of the Bible on his many journeys.

“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭13:2-3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The purpose of the overview is to help you read the entire book of Acts this month. That it would not merely be a historical document but a relevant book for our lives.

4 Overviews of the Books of Acts.

The Book of Acts...

1. Begins as a book of prophecy

“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:49‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.””
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭4:16-17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

How do we apply this overview in our lives?
* Do not despise prophesy (1 Thessalonians 5:20, 2 Peter 3:9)
* Desire the gift of prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:31, 1 Corinthians 14:3, 1 Corinthians 12:31)

2. Continues as a Book of Precedence
The events in the Book of Acts serves as a precedence for what will happen again when revival happens.

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:2-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

How do we apply this overview in our lives?
* Desire another outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 64:1, Acts 2: 16-20)
* Desire the move of the 3rd Pentecost (Isaiah 44:3, Matthew 5:6-7)

3. Presents ordinary man and women, through the Holy Spirit, doing extraordinary exploits.

“Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭11:32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

4. Reveals the Gospel cannot be preached without offenses or offending the hearer.

As we read the book of Acts, let us be stirred to share the Gospel and complete the Book of Acts. The Gospel needs to be preached by us to those who need it. (Romans 10:15, 17)