SESSION 9

The Book of Acts is one of the greatest battlegrounds of Scriptural debate. This is due to its transitional nature, a feature that is too often overlooked.

Rather than being (as it has generally been supposed) a pattern for us to follow in this “dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph 3:2), the Book of Acts is the record of the fall of Israel (Rom 11:11-12, 25) and God’s reason for sending salvation to the Gentiles (Act 28:28), apart from the favored nation of Israel .

The Book of Acts provides the explanation as to why the program found in the early chapters has passed away and confirms the declaration of the epistles of Paul that the fulfillment of the prophetic program has, for the present, given way to the unfolding of “the mystery (Greek, musterion, secret)” program of God.

Hebrews 2:3-4 How shall we (Hebrews - Israel) escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be SPOKEN by the Lord (in the Gospels), and was CONFIRMED unto us by them that heard him (the twelve Apostles); ⁴GOD ALSO BEARING THEM WITNESS, both with signs and wonders (in early the Acts chapters), and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

So Acts begins in still in “Time Past,” concerning that which was “spoken by all the prophets” and then repeated by John the Baptist, then Jesus of Nazareth, and then “the Twelve” concerning Israel receiving the “kingdom of heaven” that was oft prophesied and promised to come to earth.

A. The Book of Acts is a Continuation from where Luke ends his so-called Gospel

The Book of Acts begins with the continuation of the ministry of Jesus found in Matthew thru John.

Read these Luke & Acts verses and note their continuity.

Acts 1 Summarizes Jesus’ earthly ministry - Luke 24

Acts 1:3 – “Infallible proofs” - Luke 24:36-42

Acts 1:3 - Speaking of the “ Kingdom of God ” – Luke 24:44-45

Acts 1:4, 5, 8 – Wait to be “Endued (clothed) with Power” – Luke 24:49

Acts 1:8 – Order of Ministry: to Israel , then to the world – Luke 24: 46-47

Acts 1:9 – Jesus’ Ascension – Luke 24:50-51

Acts 1:12 – The little flock’s Return to Jerusalem – Luke 24:52-53

Acts 2:17 makes clear that the Pentecost of Acts 2 is NOT a new beginning but it is “the last days” of God’s continuing program for Israel , leading to the eternal “ Kingdom of Heaven ” to come “in earth.”

REMEMBER there are four things we learned about “TIME PAST”:

1. After the cross, Israel is still God’s chosen agency in the earth. We see this by Peter at Pentecost addressing “Ye men of Judea” (Acts 2:14), quoting the Prophet Joel in verses 16-19, then “Ye men of Israel” (3:12) saying; Acts 3:25-26 Ye are the children of the prophets (of Israel), and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. ²⁶Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. See also 5:32, 11:19

2. Israel is still under “the Law.” Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. Acts 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

3. Gentile salvation was still through Israel . Acts 3:25-26 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. ²⁶Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

4. The establishment of the earthly Davidic Kingdom was still the issue. Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel ? Acts 3:19-21 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; ²⁰And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: ²¹Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Jesus’ Parable describes God keeping The Door to the Kingdom open to Israel for a Year

Luke 13:6-9 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. ⁷Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, THESE THREE YEARS (of Jesus ministry) I (Jesus) COME seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? ⁸And he answering said unto him, Lord, LET IT ALONE THIS YEAR also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: ⁹And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then AFTER THAT THOU SHALT CUT IT DOWN.

Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, FORGIVE THEM; FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO (crucifying Jesus)…

Acts 3:17 And now, brethren, I wot (Gk., eido, know) that THROUGH IGNORANCE YE ( Israel ) DID IT (crucified Jesus), as did also your rulers.

Israel ’s minds were blinded in unbelief (Jn 12:34-41). This is no excuse but it does make a difference in the penalty. God Himself uses this legal technicality to express His tender mercies to His favored people as He claims for them this renewed opportunity for repentance in the early Acts period, up to the stoning of Stephen.

> While Acts opens with a renewed opportunity of repentance extended to the nation Israel … it concludes with salvation sent ““to the Gentiles” apart from and in spite of that once favored nation of Israel .

Compare these - Note Transition from “ Israel ” to “the Gentiles.”

Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time RESTORE AGAIN THE KINGDOM TO ISRAEL?

Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should FIRST have been spoken to you (Israel): BUT seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, WE TURN TO THE GENTILES.

Acts 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you (the Jewish Leaders in Rome ), THAT THE SALVATION OF GOD IS SENT UNTO THE GENTILES, and that they will hear it.

Note Transition of God’s focus from Israel to the Gentiles; beginning with Peter’s experience at Cornelius’ house in Acts 10 in preparation for Peter to recognize Paul’s unique call to “the Gentiles.” God prepared Peter for the transition to come via Paul “the apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom 11:13)

Acts 10:44-47 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word (at Cornelius’ house). ⁴⁵And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on THE GENTILES also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. ⁴⁶For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, ⁴⁷Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we (of the little flock)?

Notice that this above violated the original requirement which was to “repent and be baptized” to “receive the Holy Spirit” (Act 2:38) – BUT NOW only believing was necessary.

Paul clearly states the new basis of Salvation since “the Law” is no longer the issue; now the gospel of “salvation by grace through faith alone” has gone to the Gentiles.

Acts 16:31 they (Paul and Barnabas) said (to the Gentile Philippian jailer), BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED, and (this offer is extended to) thy (whole) house.

Notice again the Transition of focus from “ Israel ” to “the Gentiles”:

Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto THE JEWS ONLY.

Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you (Israel): but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, WE TURN TO THE GENTILES.

Acts 18:6 And when they (the Jews) opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from HENCEFORTH I WILL GO UNTO THE GENTILES.
Acts 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that THE SALVATION OF GOD IS SENT UNTO THE GENTILES, AND THAT THEY WILL HEAR IT.

Acts 3:19-21 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; ²⁰And he shall send Jesus Christ (as Messiah), which before was preached unto you: ²¹Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things (the Davidic Kingdom), which God hath SPOKEN BY THE MOUTH OF ALL HIS HOLY PROPHETS SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN. (the promised everlasting Kingdom on earth)

Acts began with that which was “spoken by all the prophets since the world began” and ends with that which was “kept secret since the world began.” The transition has taken place; from the Prophecy program concerning Israel ’s promised “kingdom of heaven” on earth to… Paul’s “the Mystery” (God’s secret plan) going to the Gentiles (Acts 28:28 above) as the “the church, which is His body (of Christ)” (Eph 1:22b-23a).

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I (Paul) my life dear unto myself, so that I (Paul) might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I (Paul) have received of the Lord Jesus, to TESTIFY THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. (NOTE - NOT “the gospel of the kingdom”)

Ephesians 3:1-9 For this cause I PAUL, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, ²If ye have heard of THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD which is given me to you-ward: ³How that BY REVELATION HE (Christ) MADE KNOWN UNTO ME THE MYSTERY; (as I wrote afore in few words, ⁴Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in THE MYSTERY of Christ) ⁵Which in other ages WAS NOT MADE KNOWN unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets (Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy. Etc) by the Spirit; ⁶That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body (the Body of Christ, Gal 3:28)), and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel (of the grace of God): ⁷Whereof I (Paul) was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. ⁸Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the GENTILES the unsearchable riches of Christ; ⁹And to make all men see what is the FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY (that is CHRIST IN YOU), which FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD HATH BEEN HID IN GOD, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

“Time Past” (Before the Dispensation of Grace)		“But Now” under Pure Grace After the Dispensation of the Law
Peter Ministry : ACTS 1-12	< Peter and then Paul’s > Ministry & Acts were…	Paul Ministry : ACTS 13-28
Acts 2	*First Sermon*	Acts 13
Act 3:6 a lame man is healed – a sign of the kingdom power and authority is being offered.	*First Miracle Dispensational transition is Foreshadowed*	Acts 13 – a Jew blinded & the Gentile healed – Dispensational transition is Foreshadowed
Acts 8	*Both Condemns sorcerers*	Acts 13
Acts9	*Both Raise the dead*	Acts 20
Acts 5	*Both do special miracles*	Acts 19
Acts 8	*Both Lay on hands to impart the Holy Spirit*	Acts 19
Acts 4 & 12	*Both Imprisoned*	Acts 19