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The
Master’s Plan for the Church
(A Study in
the Book of Acts)
Scriptural admonition for our
study:
“And not holding the head, from
whom all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and
knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” (Colossians 2:19)
“And he is the head of the
body, the church; who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in
all things he might have the pre-eminence.” (Colossians 1:18)
Introduction:
The book of Acts is the book of church history. It records the history of the
church from its explosive beginning on the day of Pentecost to the imprisonment
at Rome of Paul, its greatest missionary. During those three decades, the church
expanded from a small group of Jewish believers gathered in Jerusalem, to
embrace thousands in dozens of congregations throughout the roman world. The
book of Acts describes how the Holy Spirit superintended, controlled, and
empowered the expansion of the book of Acts. The book of Acts is an important
book for us to study, because it helps us to know and learn principles for
disciplining believers, building the church, and evangelizing the world. The
book of Acts is a work of history and not theology. It teaches us the work of
the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. In the book of Acts, the Holy
Spirit is mentioned more than fifty times, teaching us of his ministry to the
believer.
He regenerates, baptizes, fills and sanctifies the believer. It is the Holy
Spirit who directs and controls the operation of the church.
The book of Acts is ascribed to Luke the gospel writer, who in Luke 1:3, states
the purpose for writing this two volume book. It seemed fitting for me as well,
having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for
you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus. Acts picks up where the
gospel of Luke left off.
Acts chapter one could very well be labeled “Resources for Finishing our Lords’
Unfinished Work.”
The work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is both finished and unfinished.
His work of redemption is finished, however His work is proclamation is not yet
finished.
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