“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 That it would not merely be a historical document but a relevant book for our lives.

5 Overviews of the Books of Acts.

The Book of Acts…

1. Empowers the Great Commission
The Book of Acts gives us individual empowerment for this Great Commission to be fulfilled.

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭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

How do we apply this overview to our lives?
* we are all called to do greater works (John 14:16, Ephesians 3:20, 1 John 4:4)
* we are called to believe God for our own miracles (John 11:40, Mark 10:27, Mark 9:23)
* the gifts of God are given to us so that we can serve miraculously (1 Corinthians 12: 8-10, 31)

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

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.””
‭‭John‬ ‭8:32‬ ‭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

“Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭8:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭9:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

3. A book of Church Planting & Cell Groups

“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:41‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:46-47‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

How to we apply this overview to our lives?
* connect with a cell group and encourage one another (Hebrews 10: 24-25)

4. 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)

5. 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

How do we apply this overview in our lives?
* God’s plan is a man and woman being used by God (John 15:16)

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.

“For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:13-17‬ ‭NKJV