A World Without Christ? | World Without End

06/02/2025 58 min

Listen "A World Without Christ? | World Without End"

Episode Synopsis

In this message, we kick off a new series titled "World Without End," focusing on the Book of Acts. We begin by reading passages from both Luke 1 and Acts 1, which set the stage for our exploration of the early church's history. Pastor Joel takes some time to introduce the Book of Acts, discussing its author, Luke, who is notable for being a Gentile and a physician.

Pastor Joel covers Luke's background, his purpose in writing both the Gospel of Luke and Acts, and how he approached his work as a historian. Luke aimed to provide an accurate account of the events surrounding Jesus and the early church, emphasizing the importance of eyewitness testimony and thorough research.

As we transition into the Book of Acts, Pastor Joel emphasize the significance of the ascension of Christ as a pivotal moment that connects the two volumes. He makes the case that Acts is not merely a continuation of Luke's Gospel but rather a record of Christ's ongoing ministry from heaven through the apostles and the Holy Spirit.

00:00:00 - Introduction and Scripture Reading00:02:15 - New Series: World Without End00:03:32 - Understanding the Title00:04:24 - Background on the Book of Acts00:05:34 - Author of the Book: Luke00:07:02 - Luke's Background and Education00:08:29 - Luke's Purpose in Writing00:10:14 - Luke's Methodology as a Historian00:12:03 - Theophilus: The Intended Audience00:13:20 - Luke's Diplomatic Intentions00:15:23 - Evangelistic Purpose of Luke and Acts00:17:14 - Transition to the Book of Acts00:18:49 - The Ascension of Christ00:20:14 - Christ's Ministry from Heaven00:22:10 - Main Characters in Acts00:24:31 - The Role of the Apostles00:26:45 - Special Provisions for the Apostles00:29:00 - Conclusion and Summary of Key Points