Lenski’s introduction to his commentary on the Book of Acts says:

The fathers likewise admired the contents of the book, noting the great variety of subjects and the immense value of each: the great testimony in regard to the apostolic doctrine and the church; the fundamental outline of church government, church discipline, and church organization; an arsenal full of artillery against the antichrist; a laboratory full of remedies against all soul-destroying errors of faith and offenses in conduct; a larder stocked with all kinds of food for faith, patience, and hope; an inspiration for love and all its works; a very treasury of learning and right doctrine. (p. 5)

Indeed, there is much to commend this book to our time and attention. If we would desire to be a church patterned after the New Testament, there is no greater source of material regarding that pattern than the examples found within this book.

While we generally associate the book with the travels and travails of Paul in the latter half of the book, the first half gives us much of what we know concerning the public proclamation of the Gospel to the first generation of Christians. Beginning first at Jerusalem, then spreading to all of Judea and Samaria, and finally to the ends of the earth, we see the inspired method for the establishment, growth, and spread of God’s word throughout all ages.

For the purposes of this class, we will set forth an outline of each chapter, followed by some comment, and finally a few thought questions. It is not my intent that these questions should form the basis of things discussed in class, but rather that they give the student some means of organizing their own thoughts regarding the content of each chapter so as to improve not only their ability to contribute to the class but (far more importantly) their knowledge of the book and the ways in which it should inform their faith.

This is a work in progress. While I will be handing out material for class, you can always get the latest material at https://books.whizardries.com/classacts/.