Title Introduction to Acts (Acts 1:8)
Introduction As Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit upon his resurrection and ascension into heaven, the book of Acts shows the prosperity of missionary activity that begins through the Holy Spirit.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can see the background and process of the apostles bearing persecution and suffering, preaching the gospel with a martyrdom mission, and eventually becoming witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.
Writer and Period of Writing The book of Acts was written by Luke, Paul's companion and doctor, and it can be seen that it was written from AD 60 to 63 AD until Paul was imprisoned in Rome. Luke, who participated in Paul's 2nd and 3rd missionary journeys and entering Jerusalem, wrote this book based on his travels.
Purpose of writing The purpose of this record is to apologize for the historical work of the gospel preaching that Jesus began to practice and teach and the personal work of the Holy Spirit to realize the redemptive work of Christ.
Remarks It connects the life of Christ with the history of the church that began with the Pentecost, and records specific data on evangelism, sermons, discussions, and exhortations, including arguments on Jewish legalism and Greek mysticism in the Roman regime.
John Verse But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on 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)
Central Theme (Chapter 1-2) The Advent of the Holy Spirit and the Establishment of the Early Church
Following Jesus' final command to witness the gospel to the ends of the earth, the growth process of the early church and the expansion of the mission ground through the work of the Holy Spirit.
(Chapter 3-7) Jerusalem Evangelism
When Jesus stayed on earth for 40 days, he promised his disciples the event of Pentecost. This promise was fulfilled and they experienced the power of the Holy Spirit. The disciples (Peter) began to testify boldly, and they were able to achieve amazing results. However, the start was not smooth, and internally, the Ananias and Sapphira incidents and externally, persecution and martyrdom followed.
(Chapter 8-12) Evidence in Judea and Samaria
As the church expanded, Gentile converts began to appear. Philip's Samaria evangelism activity was successfully carried out, and the ministry of Peter preaching the gospel to the Gentile Cornelius was carried out under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Here the Antioch Church was established (11:19-30)
(Chapter 13-28) Witness to the ends of the earth
The gospel and the beginning of the church that were preached along with the Pentecost of the Holy Spirit spread to the end of the earth, from the inside to the spiritual maturity. Paul's three missionary journeys extended from Antioch to the cities of Galatia such as Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, etc. (1st) Macedonia and Greece (2nd). After staying in Ephesus for about 3 years, he confirmed the gospel again. He reassured him with his second visit (3rd) to Greece, but was arrested at the charges of the Jewish religious leaders and escorted to Rome (AD 59)
True Gogo Pentecost and the baptism of the Holy Spirit
The descent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost has significant redemptive historical significance comparable to the incarnation of Christ (John 1:14), and became the driving force for the birth and protection of the church as the beginning of the book of Acts. This is different from the Holy Spirit before Pentecost, and it applies and completes the work of redemption as a concrete Comforter as a basis. That is why Pentecost is sometimes called the second Christmas, and it is a one-time event and is made up of continuous history. In other words, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a one-time event, and the experience of coming and being filled with the Holy Spirit can be repeated. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is given at the moment when we confess and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord, and it takes place at the same time as repentance and regeneration (born again).
Therefore, all of us who confess Jesus as Lord have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, and must participate in continual union (mystical with Christ) for the fullness of the work of the Holy Spirit through spiritual communion with God and the complete Christian life.
Conclusion The book of Acts pays attention to the activity of the Holy Spirit working behind all events, and you can see the birth of the church through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the process of powerful and abundant life through the filling of the Holy Spirit. And the book of Acts is a Christian apologetic for Jews, Greeks, and Romans, testifying to salvation only through Jesus Christ.