09/08/2026
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
Nigeria & Overseas
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Theme:
The BIBLE: God's Message to Man
January - December 2026
Unit IV:
Life In The New Testament
August 9, 2026
Lesson 28
Topic: Acts Of The Apostles
Memory Scripture:
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease (Matthew 10:1).
The Apostles' actions laid the foundation of faith and community, spreading hope and unity in early Christianity.
BRIEF COMMENT
Acts of the Apostles is a book in the Bible that offers insights into the beginning of the Church and the growth it experienced through the apostles of Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The narrative appears to conclude with Paul's missionary journey and his appearance before Caesar in Rome.
The apostles of Jesus Christ were His primary disciples, known for their pivotal roles in advancing His ministry. They were chosen as witnesses of Christ's life, death, and resurrection (Acts 1:8b). Jesus sent them to spread the Gospel to all nations, starting in Jerusalem and extending to the ends of the earth, accompanied by signs, the power to heal, and the authority to cast out demons (1:8). This universal commission highlights their role as the foundation of the Church (Eph. 2:20). Acts has continued to shape the Church since it was written, and it remains relevant today. Therefore, it is important to study it, so we can also catch the fire that drove the apostles.
DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS
Mon. 3: The Apostles Are Called (Mk. 3:13-19)
Tue. 4: They Are Empowered (Matt. 10:1)
Wed. 5: They Are Sent Out (Matt. 10:5-15)
Thu. 6: The Apostles Should Expect Persecution (Matt. 10:16-26)
Fri. 7: The Apostles Motivated Against Fear (Matt. 10:27-33)
Sat. 8: The Apostles Act Powerfully (Acts 5:12-16)
2. DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
1. The Book of Acts details the formation, establishment, and development of Christ's Church.
2. It shows how the apostles, transformed by the Holy Spirit, shook their world with the Gospel. We too can do better if we prepare as they did in the Upper Room.
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:16-20
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
AIM: To show how the works of the Apostles impacted the growth of the early Church and that of the NT canon.
OBJECTIVES: By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:
i. explain what the book of Acts of the Apostles is and teaches, and how the early Church was birthed on the foundation of the Apostles' doctrine;
ii. state clearly that the Church experienced formidable growth through the mighty works done by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles; and
iii. follow suit in the path of the apostles and their doctrines.
INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL SOURCE: ACTS 1-3,5,8,9,13
God alone be praised for the previous lesson that centred on the life, teachings, and parables of Jesus Christ. We are growing stronger each day as the life and teachings of Jesus are being transformed into our own lives through the in-depth study of His Word, in Jesus' name.
Today's topic is Acts of the Apostles, which aims to guide us through the activities of the early apostles, their roles in the founding and formation of the Church, and how the Holy Spirit assisted them in establishing and developing the first Church. Their selection and roles demonstrate the sovereignty of God in fulfilling His divine purposes, as illustrated throughout the Scripture. The apostles were ordinary men chosen for an extraordinary mission. A journey through the book of Acts will ignite unprecedented transformation within us, leading to fulfilment in both life and ministry.
LESSON OUTLINE
I. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST'S CHURCH
II. THE CHURCH'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
LESSON EXPOSITION
I. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST'S CHURCH (Acts 1:1-11; 2:1-16)
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me" (Act 1:4).
a) Acts of the Apostles plays an important role in shaping the NT canon, focusing on the spread of Christianity and the empowerment of the disciples by the Holy Spirit.
b ) It is the fifth NT book. It It begins with Jesus' ascension and details the Church's birth on Pentecost. It bridges the Gospels and Epistles, showing the Gospel's spread and the early church's growth.
c) 1:1: The former account I made... Luke refers to his Gospel, where he chronicled Jesus' life, teachings and ministry. This connection shows that Acts is a continuation of Jesus' mission through His apostles.
d) vv. 4-8: The Promise of the Father and Christ's command to wait in Jerusalem for it, connects with earlier teachings (Lk. 24:49; Jn. 14:26)-Unity of the Bible.
e) 2:1-4: The Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples, marking the Church's birth. Their unity and obedience led to this supernatural event, showing the importance of harmony in receiving God's blessings.
f) vv. 5-16: The Spirit's presence emboldened the Apostles to speak in tongues. This change marks their transition from weakness to courage, enabling them to spread the Gospel, foundational to the NT canon development.
g) The Apostles weren't simply evolving religious thinkers but divinely chosen witnesses of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Their testimony, recorded in Acts, is crucial to the development of Christian beliefs and practices in the New Testament.
II. THE CHURCH'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (Acts 2:41-42; 3:1-26; 5:17-42; 8:1-3;9:1-9,31; 13:1-12)
Then, the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied (Act 9:31).
a) 2:41-42: The rapid growth after Pentecost was not only numerical but also spiritual, setting a model for how the Church should expand today (cf. Ps. 92:12-15; Jn. 14:12).
b) 3:1ff: The Apostles showed God's power through the faithful use of spiritual gifts, which contributed to the Church's impact, laying the groundwork for future ministries, especially that of Paul.
c) 5:17ff: Despite intense persecution (cf. 8:1-3; 9:1-9), the Apostles boldly preached the gospel. Even the scattered believers went with the Gospel, fulfilling Jesus' command 1:8). Saul's transformation into Paul was pivotal in expanding the faith.
d) 9:31; cf. 11:19-23: The Church spread to regions like Antioch, where Gentile believers were first baptised (10:1-48). This expansion was crucial for the gospel's inclusivity and the Church's growth beyond Jewish communities.
e) 13:1ff: The Holy Spirit's direction to set apart Barnabas and Paul for missionary work marked the beginning of global outreach, Paul's extensive ministry and the writing of many NT epistles.
f) Acts ends with the mission still in progress, emphasising that the Church's work continues today. Like the apostles, Christians are called to spread the gospel with passion, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide them.
g) In conclusion, Acts provides crucial historical context for the New Testament canon, showing how the Church grew and spread worldwide, laying the foundation for the global Christian movement.
h) Acts ends by emphasising the Church's ongoing mission, guided by the Holy Spirit. It provides key historical context for the New Testament, showing the global growth of the Church and laying the foundation for the Christian movement.
i) The early Church's significant growth shaped Christian doctrine and NT canon. Acts captures key moments in the Church's development and the foundation of Christian teachings, which facilitated the expansion of Christian communities.
LESSONS DERIVED
1. Jesus lives on in His apostles through His Holy Spirit as witnessed on Pentecost-the birth of the Church.
2. Christ's apostles were empowered to further the gospel and entrench the establishment of the Christ's Church. This is what we are called to do without discrimination, or prejudice.
QUESTIONS
1. The apostles played major roles in the formation of the Church. Explain.
2. Identify the activities of the apostles in the growth and development of the Church. Any lesson for us today?
SUGGESTED ANSWER TO QUESTIONS
ANSWER TO QUESTION 1
* The apostles played major roles in the formation of the Church.
* They were the foundation on which the Church was built (Matt. 16:18).
* Their obedience to Jesus' instruction to remain in Jerusalem was top notch and yielded great result as the Holy Spirit finally came.
* They were in one accord: Displaying spiritual unity and mutual support made them a formidable team for the Holy Spirit to move through.
* They were not passive members: they received the Holy Spirit and started manifesting in various form, bringing glory to God and confounding the devil. Great expectation is on us today.
ANSWER TO QUESTION 2
* The apostles proclaimed the message of Jesus Christ, His death, and resurrection, such that Peter's single sermon at Pentecost converted 3000.
* They used their spiritual gifts to win souls for God and healed the sick and the demon possessed.
* After the dispersion, they went into various places with the gospel and the planted churches in various cities and regions.
* They provided spiritual guidance and doctrinal teaching to new converts as seen in letters, such as Paul's epistles.
* They stood to defend the gospel against false teachings and heresies.
* They worked to unify the Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ.
* Their willingness to endure persecution for faith inspired others and demonstrated their commitment to Christ.
LIFE APPLICATION
Imagine a team tasked with launching a new community project. The leader gave them clear instructions to wait for the necessary resources before starting the work. Rather than rushing ahead, they used their time wisely-preparing, meeting together, discussing plans, and ensuring they were united in purpose. When the resources finally arrived, they were filled with confidence and began their work with energy and boldness. Despite initial scepticism from others, their dedication and clear sense of purpose inspired trust, and their project transformed the community, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds. This story mirrors the apostles' experience of waiting for the Holy Spirit. Their unity in prayer and the bold proclamation of the gospel laid the foundation for the early churches.
CONCLUSION
We bless the Lord for the conclusion of this lesson. May the Holy Spirit inspire us to fulfil the commission that He has committed into our hands.
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