Overcoming Problems Examples in Acts Why was Acts

Overcoming Problems Examples in Acts

Why was Acts written? • 1: 1 -4 refers to the gospel of Luke • It was written as an accurate record to build faith Luke 1: 1 -4 • The life of Christ = “all that Jesus began to do and teach” • Implies that Acts is a continuation of the work and teaching of Christ through the apostles and His body the church

How Acts was written • 1: 8 refers to the geographical growth of the church • Judea 1: 1 -7: 60 • Judea and Samaria 8: 1 -12: 25 • Uttermost part of the earth 13: 1 -28: 31 • Also the spiritual growth of the church • 6: 7 priests obedient to the faith • 12: 24 Herod died but the word of God grew • 28: 31 gospel preached unhindered in Rome

Other Passages of Progress in Acts • • • 2: 42; 4: 4 5: 14; 6: 7 priests obedient to the faith 8: 4, 12 9: 31, 35, 42 11: 21 -26 12: 24 Herod died but the word of God grew 16: 5 19: 20 28: 31 gospel preached unhindered in Rome

Context of Progress Passages in Acts • 2: 42; 4: 4 beginning of Sadducee opposition • 5: 14; 6: 7 priests obedient to the faith (triumph over the Jerusalem government) • 8: 4, 12 triumph over persecution and false religion • 9: 31, 35, 42 triumph over chief persecutor • 11: 21 -26 triumph over segregation

Context of Progress Passages in Acts • 12: 24 Herod died but the word of God grew (triumph over Judean and Samaritan government) • 16: 5 triumph over Judaism • 19: 20 triumph over paganism • 28: 31 gospel preached unhindered in Rome (triumph over Roman government)

Key to Progress According to Acts • • It is not the absence of problems A healthy church is a growing church A growing church means a variety of people We should welcome everyone We should not create problems We cannot ignore problems We must solve problems in God’s way That is the key to church spiritual and numerical growth