This study started on January 10, 2021 and looks at the book of Acts from a perspective of the Apostle Paul's epistles. It will establish when the Pauline book was written during the Acts timeline and answer why it was written in relation to the context of the Acts. This study will provide a roadmap to properly understanding the doctrine of the Acts period and how the transition to the Gentiles is observed but always in the relation to Israel and the Kingdom of God.
The lesson on January 10, 2021 was an introduction to the new Acts study, focused on the when and why of books that were written by the Apostle Paul. This lesson explained the objectives of looking at Paul’s letters and finding out when were they written relative to Acts? Also, if possible, we will put a secular date on the epistles and events encountered in the Acts. Is the declaration in Acts 28 in or out of “the Acts of the apostles? What importance can we associate with the timing of the mystery and the destruction of the temple? Does the Acts introduce a new ministry or continue and confirm what was previously given? Wayne provided us some resources to download and read for our preparation of this study. Wayne established our methodology which will be ask, search and see! We will answer the question was Acts a continuation or the beginning of a new dispensation? Wayne finally took us to the first chapter and addressed the former treaty which established the author of Luke and we looked at Luke 24:36-53 which tied into Acts 1:1-14 "Former treatise: A beginning" Then Acts 1:15-28:31 "Present treatise: A continuance" The scripture reading was from Acts 1:1-7 KJV
The lesson on January 17, 2021 was part 1 of the "Acts When and Why?" study and Wayne focused on proving who wrote the book, We learned in the introduction that Luke was the author. In this lesson we follow the scriptures to show the evidence. The parallels between Luke and Acts show that the comments in the first chapter of Acts matches Luke 24:36-53 to Acts 1:1-14. Between these two sections, you learn of many infallible proofs, Christ’s words to His apostles, the commission, the enduement, the ascension and the return of the apostles. Often when you study the parallels, you have little information in one book, and the other provides more detail and vice versa. Some examples of how Acts confirms the epistles and adds details are seen in the resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 9:1; 15:3-8 syncs with Acts 9:1-20; 22:1-21; 26:1-23) The Seed of David (Romans 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8 syncs with Acts 1:14; 2:30; 13:22,23) The twelve (1 Cor. 15:8 syncs with Acts 1:13, 17). More evidence of Lukan authorship comes from the "we" sections of Acts. Those are (1) Acts 16:10-40 regarding Troas and Philippi. (2) Acts 21:1-8. Tyre and Jerusalem. and (3) Acts 27:1 to 28:16. Caesarea to Rome. If the sections are read and compared to other parts, it will be seen that they are characterized by exact data, lengths of halts, small details, and the usual features of the narrative of an eye-witness. Further, there are words in Acts related to medicine. Luke was the beloved physician. Wayne finished the lesson with an example of why it is important to establish what was taught in other epistle like Romans when compared to what we being taught in Acts. The scripture reading was from Luke 1:1-4 KJV
The lesson on January 24, 2021 was part 2 of the "Acts - When and Where?" study. Wayne provided a brief recap from the previous lesson before he taught us of the first date we can pin down from Herod's death in A.D. 44 which ties into Acts 12:1-23. We learned that Acts was written in order. It was written according to eye-witnesses and it was inspired from above (God inspired - Greek word ἄνωθεν (Lk. 1:3 TBT)). Acts is a historically accurate inspired account of what the Lord continued to do after his ascension. In regards to Herod's death, it was somewhat difficult to navigate all the Herod's in the New Testament so Wayne presented a visualization of the Herodian family tree and key events in the New Testament related to members of the Herodian family found from the Biblical Archeology Society. We also learned from Acts that the Pharasees of Israel were collaborating with the Herodians to kill Jesus: 1). (Matt. 22:16 KJV) "And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men." 2). (Mk. 3:6 KJV) "And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him." 3). (Mk. 12:13 KJV) "And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.". This is strikingly similar to a book he is rereading called "None Dare Call It Conspiracy" It is what we are seeing played out with the politcal unrest with American politicians. The scripture reading was from Acts 12:20-25 KJV
The lesson on January 31, 2021 was part 3 of the "Acts - When and Why?" study. This week Wayne jumped right into the dating of Acts including the end with chapter 28. We were introduced to “Josephus Son of Mathias” who became “Flavius Josephus” in order that we may read some of his writings to establish key dates within the Acts period. There are three ways to establish Herod's death and Wayne takes us through all three. King Herod died in A.D. 44 and this synchronizes with Acts 12. We learned that the great fire that was in Rome was in July of A.D. 64. Wayne briefed us on the list of Roman Emperors. Well, at the end of Acts, it was written that Paul taught the kingdom of God from his own hired house, no man forbidding him. It the great fire in Rome was blamed on the Christians, the end of Acts had to be before A.D. 64. We learned in previous lessons that the Temple in Jerusalem was burned in A.D. 70. So given that we are establishing dates, when was The Mystery revealed through PAul given? In the lessons to come, Wayne will establish or falsify key dates in Acts. The scripture reading was from Acts 1:23-26 KJV
The lesson on February 7, 2021 was part 4 of the "Acts - When and Why?" study. As usual, Wayne provides a quick review of what we have previously covered in prior lessons and then takes us to today's focus which to look at the Apostle Paul's ministry towards prison. We are learning to review Acts and tie in historical dates which helps us provide more context of the when and why. We start with Acts 1:6-8 and learn that Paul’s ministry in Acts is colored by the way Acts begins. We covered Isaiah 49:5,6 comparing Acts 13:46,47. Acts 1:8 to Romans 11:7-24, 1Cor 14:21 where Paul is involved with the provoking of Israel. Acts 1:9-11 KJV (Daniel 7:13-14, Zechariah 14:4). We covered the conditional promises of a looming judgment as explained in Deuteronomy 29:24 KJV. At the end of the lesson, Wayne took us through the third missionary journey of Paul. The scripture reading was from Acts 24:22-27 KJV
