The "Acts of the Apostles " contains the account of the last journey of Jesus with his disciples before his ascension, in which he more fully reveals to them the mission of the church. It is a book full of great achievements accomplished by men of great faith. My experience, after studying and teaching God's Book for more than twenty-five years, is that the church in this early period was every day hearing the Master's voice saying, " Go seek and save that which is lost." And because the church was obedient to that voice she became a daily soul-saving institution. Individuals and churches are not accomplishing in soul saving, in this day of education and civilization, what was accomplished in that early period, because God's Book is seriously neglected. The "Acts of the Apostles " is the best book that has ever been written for men and women to study, who are interested in the forward movement of the church and the salvation of the world. Peter and Paul were live wires in the early church, and by choosing them as your associates in the careful study of this book, you will become a live wire for the Master in the mission of soul saving as they were.

1. Acts of the Apostles. The title of this book is not the same in the different manuscripts. In one important manuscript the title is given " The Acts," which seems to be in keeping with the history contained in the book. It is a record of some of the Apostolic acts, but not a full account of the acts of the twelve Apostles. Thus the book contains, in the main, the acts of only a few Apostles. The labors of the twelve Apostles were soon obscured by Stephen, Philip and others, and a strong Gentile center established at Antioch. It is therefore not a full history of the twelve Apostles during said years, but the record of the important events in the establishing of the Christian church. It is placed in the Bible just after the four Gospels, which are a record of the life and doings of Jesus while on earth; in this we have the life and doings of Jesus after his ascension. It is followed by the letters written by a number of representative men who lived in this great church period, who wrote from what they saw and believed was the true mission of the church.

2. Luke the Author. We are studying the history of a growing church. To give us such a history we need a man who is a growing man. He must not be influenced by local customs and traditions, but must be so great that he can, in a large measure, realize the needs of the whole world. He must be just as progressive as the church that belongs to Jesus. Luke wrote two very important books, worthy of the most careful study. Luke was not an eve-witness and minister of the Word from the beginning, but he says (Luke 1:2-3), " It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, O excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed." In his introduction of The Acts he says (Acts 1:1), "The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, confirming all that Jesus began both to do and to teach." " The former treatise " here refers to his first book written to Theophilus. While Luke's name is not given as author in either of the books, yet by internal evidence and references made to it by Paul in his letters, there is no doubt that both books have the same author. There are at least fifty words and phrases used in the two books which are not found in any other books of the New Testament.

In the study of The Acts we are first introduced to the writer (16:8) when Paul was at Troas on his second missionary journey. Here the writer begins to use (16:10) the pronoun " we," showing that he accompanied Paul on his journey from Troas to Macedonia, and was with him in the revival at Philippi. After Paul left Philippi, the historian (17:1) again begins the use of "they" instead of "we," showing that he did not continue the journey with Paul, but remained with the church at Philippi. On the third missionary journey, when Paul returned from Corinth, and visited the church at Philippi (20:5), the writer changes and uses " we," showing that he journeyed with Paul and was associated with him nearly all the time, during the remaining chapters of the book. The historian was for a considerable time a fellow-laborer with the Apostle, and by his own personal experience and association was thoroughly competent to give this inspired history of the early Christian church.

3. The Chronology of The Acts. This history begins with the Ascension A. D. 30 and closes with the imprisonment of Paul about A. D. 64. Luke the writer does not give us very many definite statements as to time in the early history of the book. There are a few events recorded which help us fix time, and from which we can give a somewhat accurate chronology as a working basis in the study of the entire book. The death of Herod Agrippa II. (Acts 12:23) was about A. D. 44, and the dismissal of Felix as governor of Judea (Acts 24:27) about A. D. 60. The death of Herod occurred about the time that Paul and Barnabas were sent by the Antioch church with contributions for the church at Jerusalem (Acts 11:30). This was the first time Paul visited the Jerusalem church after taking up his work at Tarsus. However, before going to Jerusalem with the contribution he and Barnabas had spent a year at Antioch, and we know it was three years after his conversion that he made his first visit to Jerusalem. Thus we have four years of definite time, and if we include the time of his labors at Tarsus we would approximate the time of his conversion A. D. 36. Paul's third visit to Jerusalem took place fourteen years after his conversion (Gal. 2:1). This would make the date for the Jerusalem council (15:1-6) A. D. 50.

Felix was dismissed as governor A. D. 60. Paul had been a prisoner already two years at Caesarea. His arrest at Jerusalem must have taken place (21:33) A. D. 58. Dates are not inspired, yet we can secure better results by keeping in mind about the time in which certain events occurred and the events as to their location. The following dates are helpful in the study of this book: The ascension, A. D. 30; birth of the church, A. D. 30; stoning of Stephen, A. D. 36; the church in Jerusalem, six years; conversion of Saul A. D. 36; the church in Palestine, ten years; first missionary journey, 46 to 50; council at Jerusalem, A. D. 50; second missionary journey, 50 to 54; third missionary journey, 54 to 58; Paul's arrest A. D. 58; imprisonment at Caesarea, 58 to 60; first two years' imprisonment at Rome, 60 to 62.

4. Divisions of the Book. In the study of this book one can not help realizing that the church is a growing institution. These stages of development must be carefully studied, in order to get a clear and proper understanding of the book as a whole.

During the first six years the church was confined to Jerusalem, and composed of Jewish people. The church in this period moved gradually forward undisturbed in the preaching of the Gospel and saving of souls for the first two or three years. Because of the increase of numbers and power given to this organized body, the Jewish Sanhedrim threatened the disciples with persecution if they would continue to teach in the name of Jesus. Persecution came and the Christians were scattered.

The next ten years the work of the church was principally done in Palestine. The scattered Christians went everywhere preaching the Gospel. Philip did missionary work in Samaria, baptized the eunuch, and continued his labors along the coast of the Mediterranean. The church in Jerusalem confirmed Philip's work at Samaria, and Peter made a missionary tour along the Mediterranean, which resulted in adding many to the church at Lydda and Joppa, and the opening the door to the Gentiles and receiving many into Christian fellowship.

During the next eighteen years the church was doing aggressive missionary work, making converts and organizing churches in the different provinces in Asia Minor and in the countries of Europe. At the opening of this period the Holy Spirit directed the setting apart of Paul and Barnabas as leaders in this missionary movement.

5. Jesus the Leader. When Jesus was about to leave his disciples he said, " Lo, I am with you always." This promise of companionship was believed by the early disciples, and therefore equipped them for great things. Jesus said, " I came to seek and to save that which is lost." He now is with the Father, and directs his disciples in the finding of the lost. " Seek and save " is the mission of every follower of Jesus. He died to save men. He wants you to help people find Him. He is out of our sight, but sees and hears us. He gives orders; we obey his commands. The student in the study of these years of early church history must remember that it was Christ who led the way and not the Apostles. When an Apostle was to be appointed (1:24) they prayed, " Lord, show whether of these two thou hast chosen." Jesus went before his disciples in suffering (Mark 10:32), and they were amazed; and now He is going before them in triumph, and they are astonished. The disciples knew that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as their Comforter (2:33), and endowed them for service. The lame man was healed at the Beautiful Gate (3:6) by the Lord manifesting his power. The Ethiopian was converted because Philip obeyed the voice of another (8:26). Peter obeyed the voice of another at Joppa and opened salvation for the Gentiles, which was directly opposite to the church's teaching. Paul heard the Lord's voice on the way to Damascus, and by obedience became the Apostle to the Gentiles. While Paul was at Corinth the Lord told him to remain longer (18:10), and gave this as his reason:" I have much people in this city."

Those who want to get the most from the study of The Acts must have Jesus Christ as a Companion, and listen to His voice in the directing of the work of His church. We behold Him acting from glory,—guiding, directing, visiting, sympathizing and encouraging his servants in carrying forward the greatest work on earth.

6. The Holy Spirit. The disciples can not do the work alone. They must have some one to teach them and give them strength to do things that seemed impossible to them. Jesus received the Holy Spirit at baptism, but his followers were baptized with water only during his ministry, and not anointed by Holy Spirit baptism until Christ had ascended. The Holy Spirit came and put His seal upon these believers and gave them new power, and the church became a saving institution. The Holy Spirit coming made the disciples able to take the doings and teachings of Jesus, while on earth, and present them in a proper way to those for whom Jesus died. The Christian must be able to make a surrender of all his powers, whether they be physical, intellectual or financial, in order to be used by the Holy Spirit. The Apostles were filled at Pentecost. As they went out every day into Christian service, in order to accomplish the mission of the Master, they needed to be refilled. When the seven were chosen they were full of the Holy Spirit. When Stephen preached he was stoned by the mob as a man filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was all the time teaching these followers of Jesus a broader Christian service. Every advance movement the church made was guided and witnessed by the Holy Spirit.

7. Satan the Leader in Opposition. We have just spoken about two supernatural persons in carrying forward the work of the Christian church. We are very soon introduced in The Acts to another supernatural person, who has been leading in the fight against God, ever since Adam and Eve were placed into that beautiful home in the Garden. He contested every forward movement of righteousness during the entire period of Old Testament history. He was the great deceiver, causing many to be led astray. In this early church his first work was seen when the Sanhedrim arrested the two Apostles and demanded that they should no longer teach in the name of Jesus. He came into the church, and took possession of two dishonest church members; his deception was revealed and his agents put to death. The church gained her victory over him from without, and also from within. There will be great advantage to the student in the study of this book to realize fully the church's triumph. The defeat of any Christian or any church is always due to a lack of companionship and close fellowship with Jesus through prayer. Prayer is the Christian's weapon and the key that unlocks the best that God has. Will you let the Lord manifest His Power, so your life may be enriched as you start redeemed ones singing the glory song?

8. Helps. During the last thirty years we have had the privilege of associating with able Christian teachers from whom we have received many encouraging words helpful to us in the preparation of books on Bible study. We have also received much encouragement from the many students under our instruction while we taught in colleges, Bible Institues, and gave individual instruction in Bible study in homes. We have a very large collection of valuable books on Bible study, written by men of ripe scholarship and large Christian experience. Space will permit us to mention but a few authors from whom we have received aid in the preparation of this volume who have written commentaries on the Acts: J. W. McGarvey, Morrison, Stifler, Lindsay, Myers, Lange, and Expositor's Bible. While we have received help and given credit in the writing of this book, yet we wish to call the students' attention to the fact that the book itself, The Acts, has had our first attention, the above helps simply confirming the truths we discovered in The Acts, which are now set forth in this volume.

9. Why This Volume. During many years of Bible teaching it has been our experience that many ministers and Sunday-school teachers have read and studied the Bible without system. The Acts is one of the most important books in the Bible; if properly studied, it gives courage and inspiration in achieving great things for the Master. If your church needs a revival, study the revival book. This book is to be a companion to the " Life of Christ, or Harmony of the Four Gospels. " The four books used in the study of our First Course by mail have been used in many homes. The demand made by our students, and encouragement received from those who know the value of these books in Bible study, made us feel under obligations to prepare these volumes that are now ready for our Advanced Course.

This book is to be taken up and studied by sections. Scripture texts have been explained, and test questions have been placed after each scripture. Give some time each day to the study of the Bible in your home. Study by yourself or join some Bible Class, that you may know the real value of Bible knowledge. Begin all your periods of Bible study with prayer. Be willing to grow and make changes in your life as the Holy Spirit teaches you the Word. Study to become better acquainted with Jesus, so as to be able to magnify him to others. The book contains the American Standard Revised text. The footnotes have been placed with the text in parenthesis. We have always insisted that Christian people should spend at least some time every day with God and His Word. If this book will help you to know Jesus better, make your religious life fuller of joy, and heaven your future home more attractive, then we shall feel that we have had some humble part in equipping you to do more efficient work for Him who has redeemed you.