Facts in the book of Acts

Acts Facts

“To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs...”

Acts 1:3

 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

The Bantu title for the Acts of the Apostles is, “Words Concerning Deeds.”  A brief survey of this book will leave you with the impression that it is the deeds that the Lord continued to do, through the Holy Spirit (primarily) and His disciples (secondarily). 

Actually when you consider the content of the book you will note that it really only tells the story of two Apostles: Peter and Paul. 

In ancient times this book was called, “Acts of the Holy Spirit”; “Gospel of Resurrection”; “Gospel of the Holy Spirit”; “The Acts of the Ascended and Glorified Lord”; and some referred to it as the “Fifth Gospel”. 

In the New Testament it is only the Book of Acts that gives us the history of the growth of the church.  Acts gives us principles that should govern the church in every generation. The Full Life Study Bible states, “Acts records what the church must be and do in any generation as it continues Jesus’ ministry in the Pentecostal power of the Holy Spirit.”

The Book of Acts focuses on the ministry of two men.  Peter preached mostly in Jerusalem and Paul preached to the Gentiles.  Acts is the story of the original church. It records how “the Word of God increased.” (Acts 6:7)  Acts gives us much insight into church growth dynamics and principles. It also teaches us about evangelism, preaching, church life and leadership, the Holy Spirit, the Gifts of the Spirit, Apostles’ doctrine, missionary activity, church planting, prayer, role of women in the church, persecution, signs, wonders, miracles, and so many other aspects relevant to the church today.  The Holy Spirit is mentioned more than fifty times in the Book of Acts.  No wonder some called it the “Acts of the Holy Spirit.”  The Holy Spirit was the source of the power that the early church had.  Jesus had promised such power in Acts 1:8.  

We see that the baptism and ministry  of the Holy Spirit imparts:

Þ     power (1:8)

Þ     boldness (4:31)

Þ     fear of God (Acts 5:5)

Þ     wisdom (6:3,10)

Þ     guidance (16:6-10)

Þ     spiritual gifts (19:6)

The Book of Acts covers the first thirty years of church history and draws you into the world of the first century church. Some think that it would be so exciting to go back to the first century.  However, the Holy Spirit continues to move as we approach the twenty-first century.  We are continuing to see all of the miracles of the Book of Acts being performed today; even to a greater dimension. Countries are reporting thousands receiving the Holy Ghost in a single service; blinded eyes opened; and people being brought back from the dead. 

We are living in a tremendous

day of opportunity.

C. Peter Wagner in his book entitled, Prayer Shield tells us that more than 392 million Pentecostals were reported worldwide in 1991.  He claims that there has never been a movement that has grown as rapidly as the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement of the last thirty years.  He interestingly claims that in any large city where they are open to new churches and to Christianity that the largest churches will usually be Pentecostal or charismatic.  Of the twenty largest churches in the world with membership exceeding 20,000 in each local church, fourteen of the twenty are Pentecostal/Charismatic.

This allows us to know that there is more opportunity to win souls today than ever before and that the world is open to the vibrant, living, Pentecostal movement.