2008-09-28 Ronnie Stevens Acts 1:1-5

"God's Faithfulness in History, God's Faithfulness to History, Part 2"

In this passage of the book of Acts, the Trinitarian witness emerges and apologetics is prominent

FIVE LEADING THEMES

1. The Recording of History 1:1-2

2. The Discipling of Nations 1:1-5

3. The Importance of Doctrine 1:1-5

The Holy Spirit as Teacher Acts 2:42
The Emerging Trinitarian Witness 1:1-5
The Father vv. 3, 4
The Son vv. 1, 2, 3, 4
The Holy Spirit vv. 2, 5

C. H. Spurgeon (1834 - 1892)

4. The Prominence of Apologetics 1:3

"Many convincing proofs"

By apologetics we don't mean "apology."
By apologetics we mean "defense
in the sense of setting forth the case."

All thoughtful people are interested in:
a) Origins
b) Destiny
c) Morality
d) Meaning

To be convinced most thoughtful people require:
a) Logical Consistency
b) Empirical Adequacy
c) Experiential Relevance
--Ravi Zacharias

5. The Necessity of Divine Enabling 1:4-5

The Holy Spirit requires holiness and the Holy Spirit creates holiness.
The Holy Spirit baptizes and fills.
The Holy Spirit may be quenched. 1 Thessalonians 5:19
The Holy Spirit may be grieved. Ephesians 4:30

Dedication printed in successive volumes of The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit
C. H. Spurgeon

TO THE ONE GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH IN THE TRINITY OF HIS SACRED PERSONS, BE ALL HONOUR AND GLORY, WORLD WITHOUT END, AMEN.
TO THE GLORIOUS FATHER, AS THE COVENANT GOD OF ISRAEL; TO THE GRACIOUS SON, THE REDEEMER OF HIS PEOPLE; TO THE HOLY GHOST, THE AUTHOR OF SANCTIFICATION; BE EVERLASTING PRAISE FOR THAT GOSPEL OF THE FREE GRACE OF GOD HEREIN PROCLAIMED UNTO MEN.