1931 Young Mens Corner - page 3

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.

Young Men’s Corner Twelfth Series.

January, 1931

" Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so."  (Acts 17. 11).

CONTENTS.

PAGE Introduction 1

The Forty Days--Acts 1. 1-26

2

Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit, and what follows.

Acts 2. 1-47

13

INTRODUCTION.

Both the " Acts of the Apostles," and the third Gospel (in order), are anonymous, but it would appear reasonable to deduce that the author of both books was one and the same person, from the following reasons :--1. Both are addressed to the same person.

2. The former (i.e., the Gospel) is mentioned in the second treatise (i.e., " The Acts of the Apostles ") as emanating from the same writer.

3. Those who can judge state that the two works resemble one another in style and language.

This is not altogether conclusive that Luke was the Author, for his name does not appear in either record, but from an internal examination of the " Acts " (16. 10-17 and 21. 1-8, etc.), where the record shows that the writer associates himself with the Apostle Paul in the pronoun " w e , " and from Colossians 4. 14 (written from a Roman prison about A.D. 65) and later, from 2 Timothy 4. 11, it seems probable that the writer of the " Acts of the Apostles " was the beloved physician, Luke, fellow-companion to the Apostle Paul.

The period covered by our present study is from the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ (about A.D. 33) till two years after the arrival of Paul in Rome (about A.D. 65)--a comparatively short period of time, but one filled with important events for the children of God in this dispensation.

The " former treatise " dealt with the beginning of the deeds and words of our Lord Jesus Christ; this treatise also deals with beginnings.  It is, therefore, important that the first principles and patterns be also " accurately traced," and studied. We are early introduced to the risen Master, Himself, and to the subject of His discourses with the Apostles during His sojourn of 40 days. This important theme--things concerning the Kingdom of God--and the course, marked out by Himself for the publication of the Gospel, form the basis or framework of the ensuing record.

The deeds and words of two great men--Peter and Paul--dominate the following pages, but behind all is seen the powerful working of the blessed Holy Spirit.

The account of the Apostle Paul’s work in the various churches, during his travels, affords a most valuable background for a fuller understanding of the Epistles which were later written to these churches