Page 33 - Advanced New Testament Survey Student Textbook

3.2 Objectives

1. The student shall be able to identify the author of the book of Acts.

2. The student shall be able to locate when the book was written.

3. The student shall be able to discuss the recipients of the book.

4. The student shall be able to restate the structure of the book of Acts.

5. The student shall be able to recite the themes and purposes to which the witnesses testified.

6. The student shall be able to react to the impact of the book of Acts.

7. The student shall be able to name the key passages in Acts

8. The student shall be able to recite the key words of the book of Acts

9. The student shall be able to recite key verses in Acts

3.3 Christianity spreads through the ancient world

The last words of Jesus before He departed from the disciples can be found in Matthew 28: 19-
20

19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and
20
lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

As we continue in our study of the New Testament, we move historically into the Church Age. As the
gospel spreads beyond Judea to Samaria and the Gentile world, many converted to the belief that “Jesus
Christ is the son of God.” The Holy Spirit came to indwell believers during the Feast of Pentecost, and
He led the followers of Christ in new ways to new worlds. The believers began to organize for mission.
Paul’s ministry launched out to the known Roman world to share the gospel with Gentiles. The Good
News was proclaimed: “This Jesus God has raised up.” (Acts 2:32) Believers in this new “religion”
became known as “Christians,” not out of admiration, but out of scorn. Another scornful label for the
early Christian movement was “the Way” (Acts 19:9).

At first, the greatest opposition to the believers came from the Jewish religious leaders, who roused up
public opposition. But it was not long before Rome began to oppose the spread of Christianity. Here is
why.

Characteristics of the Early Church

The first Christians lived under a completely different set of principles and values than the rest of
mankind. They rejected the world's entertainment, honors, and riches. They were already citizens of

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