THE CENTRALITY OF THE SPIRIT

10. It's been said again and again that the book of Acts could easily be called The Acts of The Holy Spirit. Right at the beginning we're told the Holy Spirit will be the power behind the new movement (1:2,5,8) and when the book closes, it is (28:25). For Luke, the Spirit is a liberator! He takes away unbearable yokes and tears down those things which build walls between people. He opposes stifling legalism and breathes life into the rejects and outcasts. He leads people to dream away their prejudices and he sends missionaries to the untold and the despised. He rebukes the sectarian spirit and approves of all work among the ignored masses. He empowers men (even Jesus!) to go around doing good and healing all who are oppressed of the Devil (see 10:38). In Acts it is the Spirit who's in charge!

THE CENTRALITY OF THE CHURCH

11. The Church isn't central in the same way the Father, Son and Spirit are! It isn't central in the way the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus are! But it is the chosen mirror of all these! It is in the Church the life-giving Spirit is seen to operate in the clearest possible fashion. It is with the Church Jesus identifies himself in persecution (see 9:5). It is in the Church that people of all backgrounds and cultures are united in Christ. It is in the Church that the name of Christ is exalted by people who take that name on them.

12. The Church isn't the blessed Redeemer, but it is his chosen mirror. She's flawed and so she distorts his image but he still chooses her as his proclaimer and witness. To despise her is to despise Jesus who identifies himself with her (9:5). To refuse to help cleanse and strengthen her is to refuse to help in fulfilling God's purposes. Luke makes that very clear. (But she isn't God! And he makes that clear also!)

WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IN LESSON TEN

• The central character in the book of Acts is God himself.

• Life with God was never intended to be the privilege of a select few or a single nation.

• The Acts Of The Apostles could easily be called The Acts Of The Holy Spirit.

• The Church for all her flaws is the special God-chosen witness on behalf of Jesus Christ.

• The events recorded in Acts are the fulfillment of God's ancient promises and are a standing assurance that God is forever faithful

•  Lesson 1
•  Lesson 1 (II)
•  Lesson 1 (III)
•  Lesson 2
•  Lesson 2 (II)
•  Lesson 3
•  Lesson 3 (II)
•  Lesson 3 (III)
•  Lesson 4
•  Lesson 4 (II)
•  Lesson 4 (III)
•  Lesson 5
•  Lesson 5 (II)
•  Lesson 5 (III)
•  Lesson 6
•  Lesson 6 (II)
•  Lesson 6 (III)
•  Lesson 7
•  Lesson 7 (II)
•  Lesson 7 (III)
•  Lesson 8
•  Lesson 8 (II)
•  Lesson 8 (III)
•  Lesson 9
•  Lesson 9 (II)
•  Lesson 9 (III)
•  Lesson 10
•  Lesson 10 (II)
•  Lesson 10 (III)