An Introduction to the Book of Acts: The Early Church
Pastor Brad Abley: Biblical Educator / Pastor / Teacher / Expositor
An Introduction to the Book of Acts
Pastor’s Corner Teaching :
Theme: The Early Church
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
—Acts 1:8
Pastor Brad Abley writes….
The Book of Acts is the theological history and story – at long last – of God drawing not only the Jews but also the Gentiles to Himself, through His appointed Messiah, Jesus.
This story began with the promise of the coming of the Messiah to redeem humanity from its sin (Gen. 3:15), and the promise was particularized through Abraham, the promised father “of many nations” (Gen. 12:3; 15:1-5; 17:1-5; 22:1-14; Acts 7:).
That promise was reiterated many times through Old Testament (OT) prophets like Isaiah, for example (Is. 42:6-7; 49:6; 60:1-3; 61:1-2). But it was also contained earlier, in the Psalms (e.g., Ps. 2; 67). In fact, the OT is replete with God’s heart expressed for the salvation of the nations.
The only way this task could be reached and completed, however, had to wait until the coming of Jesus -- the Messiah and Lord of the world -- who first had to bear the wrath of God to cover the sins of the world (John 1:29; Rom. 1:18; 3:23-25). This was according to Isaiah’s powerful prophecy (Is. 52:12-53).
“I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd” (John 10:16).
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:18-20).
Continued…
Above is an excerpt from Pst Brad’s 16 page teaching. Please find the complete teaching in a pdf format, available for you to save it for easy reference.
Accordingly, the book of Acts is for the instruction and inspiration of every believer in Jesus (Rom. 15:4), throughout salvation history, and in every corner of the globe: Every kindred, tribe, tongue, and nation.
Pastor’s Corner - An Introduction to the Book of Acts: The Early Church
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