The first question we will consider this morning is, why the Book of Acts? Why is this book in the Bible? We might ask this a different way; whose acts, and what acts? If I asked you what the purpose of the book of Acts was, what would you say?
A few words of background first. The author of the Book of Acts is Luke. Luke was a physician and a historian who traveled with the Apostle Paul on some of his missionary journeys. We see from v. 1 that Acts is part 2 of one great work, Luke's gospel comprising part one. The early church gave part 2 the title "Acts." By the third century the name "Acts of the Apostles" became the most common name.
The reason the church named this book "Acts" is because Acts is mainly a book of history, a book of deeds, or acts. Whose acts? Luke himself answers our question in v. 1; In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all Jesus began to do and teach, until the day he was taken up... Theophilus was likely Luke's patron, the one who provided the finances for Luke to write this book. Though Luke sends the book to Theophilus, he understands he is sending it to the whole church.
But you see from the title that the acts of the Book of Acts are the acts of the risen Christ. In the gospel Luke recorded what Jesus did until his ascension into heaven. In Acts Luke continues the story. Acts recounts the acts of Jesus after he ascended to the throne upon his resurrection.
Now the answer to the question, "what acts?" can be found at the beginning and end of the book. Notice first v. 3. Before Jesus ascended into heaven he was speaking to his disciples about the kingdom of God. Now turn over to the end of the book, chapter 28 v. 31. Paul is in Rome, and what is he doing? He was proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. The book begins with Christ teaching about his kingdom and ends with Paul teaching about Christ's kingdom. So both Luke's gospel and Book of Acts tell the story of Christ establishing his kingdom on earth.
But the difference between the two books is very important. In the gospel of Luke, Christ accomplished the salvation of his kingdom people through his life, death and resurrection. In the Book of Acts, Christ applies that salvation to his expanding kingdom throughout the world. In the gospels Christ promised that his gospel kingdom is the fulfillment of all those OT prophecies of a glorious, worldwide kingdom. In Acts you witness that worldwide kingdom coming to pass.
This difference between accomplishment and fulfillment was seen in the typology of Moses and Joshua. Moses accomplished deliverance for Old Israel by leading them out of Egypt. Joshua applied to them the benefits of that deliverance by leading them in conquering their enemies and providing them their inheritance in the Promised Land.
In Luke's gospel, Christ reveals that he will conquer his enemies by conquering unbelief, by breathing new life into dead sinners through the gospel. In Acts that new life is accomplished across the world by his Word through the church. Acts therefore becomes the New Testament Book of Joshua for the New Israel.
Ezekiel prophesied that one day God would breath life into piles of dead bones, and those bones would form a mighty army for God. Acts presents the fulfillment of that prophecy. In Acts 3:24, after the Holy Spirit is poured out on the church, Peter proclaims that all the prophets, from the first prophet Samuel to the last, spoke of these last days unfolding in the Book of Acts.
We could then summarize the theme of Acts in this way; the Book of Acts is the divinely inspired record of the work of the ascended Christ applying the benefits of his work to his people as he establishes his promised kingdom across the entire earth.
Within this general theme are many sub-themes. For one, we learn in Acts the central place of the Holy Spirit in providing for his people. The Holy Spirit applies the gospel to you by giving you new life from the dead, as well as granting you courage to live as Christians amidst opposition and discouragement.
Also, in the Book of Acts you see how Satan has dedicated himself to destroying the work of Christ on the earth, which is an attack on the work of Christ in your hearts. In Acts you are being prepared for what to expect from Satan, as well as taught how to overcome Satan's purposes.
The Book of Acts also demonstrates how God's church expands. Acts begins in Jerusalem and ends in Rome. Rome represents the end of the earth. In Acts we see Christ's kingdom advance from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. How does God expand his church? Acts will answer that question for you.
Acts also gives you wisdom in dealing with unrighteous authority. Luke devotes an unusually large portion of time to Paul's dealings with government persecution. Luke is fully aware that the church is a rival to the state and the state will not sit still for long in this situation. In Acts, the Apostles, by their example, will teach you how to live in a situation where authorities make life difficult for you as Christians.
Finally, in Acts we witness how Christ wonderfully provides for his people while he is away. Not only does he send his Holy Spirit into every believer; he also sends Apostles and ministers to feed his sheep through preaching. He forms local communities of believers to provide for their welfare. Acts assures you that even though Christ is physically absent, he is present and active, not only in the events of history, but in shepherding you with his personal love and care.
Referring back to the introduction in chapter 1, Luke assures you that you can rely upon the words and deeds recorded in the Book of Acts. In v. 3, Luke assures you that Christ rose again, and he provided evidence of his resurrection to hundreds of people, many different times, over forty days.
One or two may be able to get away with a hoax over a short time, but hundreds of different people in different places would not all testify that they saw Christ alive. Therefore you can rely on this book to instruct you accurately about Christ, and how to live as Christ's people.
This leads us to our other question this morning. The first question was, why Acts? Now let me deal with the question, why Acts now? In other words, why would studying this book be useful at this time in the life of Covenant Presbyterian Church?
You might say the first five years of our church was to lay the groundwork preparing for what is to come. I believe the groundwork has been laid, not only by me but also by you. We stand on the threshold of a new phase in the life of our church.
Look around you this morning. You are fellowshipping with people you would naturally never befriend, people very different from you, different ages, personalities, backgrounds, etc... Over the years you have learned to love one another, to work through conflict, to accept one another's quirks and differences.
In the Book of Acts you also see people from different backgrounds become one congregation because of what they shared in common; each has been called to new life through the gospel of Christ. You have demonstrated you are ready to live as a true Christian church built on the foundation of the gospel.
These past five years you have come to understand the importance and beauty of Presbyterianism, that we are a family of churches connected to one another; that we work together and are accountable to one another in advancing the peace and purity of Christ's church.
You have come to trust the men God has given you as elders and deacons. You are able to tell others that they will be well served with these men caring for your body and soul.
Many of you know that being a member of a church is not easy. Sometimes serving others takes extra time; giving takes sacrifice; being a Christian family means working through conflict. Yet you continue to sacrifice and serve, and your faithful service has enabled us to be in this good place. Instead of worrying about dissolving as a church, we are planning the next exciting stage in the life of this congregation. The Lord is pleased to use us to further his kingdom through the gathering in of people in this part of his vineyard.
And in these five years that I have endeavored to preach to you Christ and him crucified, you have received my preaching, not asking that I teach the blowing whims of the latest cultural or political winds. I have not felt pressured to preach off message. You have come to understand that the purpose of our existence as a church is to glorify and enjoy the God of our salvation, and to spread Christ's kingdom while he tarries.
A building at this time says to the community "Come be a part of what the Lord is doing in our midst." The foundation has been laid means we are here to stay.
We have a measure of godly pride in what the Lord has accomplished in us, a godly pride in the gospel entrusted to us, in the weekly proclamation of that gospel, and in our denominational connectedness as Presbyterians. We are grateful to God for our brothers and sisters here, even with all their quirks and differences, and we are grateful for our elders and deacons the Lord has placed over us for our good. Indeed as a local church we are in a good place.
Now, some have used the Book of Acts to try to recreate the supernatural events of Acts in their own lives. Knowing the discouragement that comes with being a Christian, trying to recreate the supernatural becomes a way to feel closer to God.
But the supernatural events of the Book of Acts are unique. There is only one Day of Pentecost. Do you really want fulfillment as a Christian? You will not find fulfillment trying to recreate the supernatural. The purpose of Acts was not given in order to recreate the unique supernatural events of Acts. At the same time, you miss the point in only using the Book of Acts as a source of doctrine. Your theology will be of little use if it stays in your head.
The Book of Acts was written to instruct and encourage you in the mission of the church. As Christ gave of himself to people, we grow in Christ as we give of ourselves in service. When you see visitors come through our door, and you do not welcome them, or you fail to demonstrate some care for them, your theology is not reaching beyond your head. If you are not serving others in the church, you will become salt-less, warped Christians.
The path to fulfillment is only found only in serving others, like Christ, who came to serve others. A building provides a public place where you will be provided regular opportunities to meet and take an interest in people, and contribute to them of your life in Christ.
Therefore we begin the Book of Acts because we are entering into a new phase in our new life as Covenant Presbyterian Church. Acts will encourage and instruct us to fulfill God's calling as his church. May his name be praised as we not only study our mission in his holy Word, but also fulfill the purpose for which this building providentially has been supplied to us. Amen