Changes

==Scope==

==Scope==

[[File:Jesus ascending to heaven.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|Painting: The Ascension by John Singleton Copley, 1775]]

[[File:Jesus ascending to heaven.jpg|thumbnail|right|300px|Painting: The [[Ascension of Jesus|Ascension]] by John Singleton Copley, 1775]]

In Acts we see the fulfillment of Christ's promises. In Acts, 1:8, Jesus had declared that the Apostles should receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. And that they should be His witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. In John, 14:12, Jesus had declared: "He that believeth in me, the works that I do, he also shall do, and greater works than these shall he do. Because I go to the Father". In these passages is found the key-note of the origin of the church. The church developed according to Christ's plan.  There is in the narration evidence of the working out of a great plan. This is the  reason  the writer records the working-out of the great design of Christ, conceived in infinite wisdom and executed by omnipotent power.<br>

In Acts we see the fulfillment of Christ's promises. In Acts, 1:8, Jesus had declared that the Apostles should receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. And that they should be His witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. In John, 14:12, Jesus had declared: "He that believeth in me, the works that I do, he also shall do, and greater works than these shall he do. Because I go to the Father". In these passages is found the key-note of the origin of the church. The church developed according to Christ's plan.  There is in the narration evidence of the working out of a great plan. This is the  reason  the writer records the working-out of the great design of Christ, conceived in infinite wisdom and executed by omnipotent power.<br>

The book has a systematic order of narration, an exactness and fullness of detail. After the calling of the first twelve [[Apostles]], there is no event in the history of the church so important as Paul's conversion and commission to teach in Christ's name. Up to Paul's conversion, the inspired historian of the Acts has given us a condensed statement of the growth of the Church among the Jews. Peter and John are important in the work. But the great message is now to issue forth from the confines of Judaism: '''all flesh is to see the salvation of God'''.  Paul is to be the great instrument in preaching Christ to the Gentiles. In the development of the Christian church Paul wrought more than all the other Apostles. His appointment as the Apostle of the Gentiles does not prevent him from preaching to the Jews, but his richest fruits are gathered from the Gentiles.  

The book has a systematic order of narration, an exactness and fullness of detail. After the calling of the first twelve [[Apostles]], there is no event in the history of the church so important as Paul's conversion and commission to teach in Christ's name. Up to Paul's conversion, the inspired historian of the Acts has given us a condensed statement of the growth of the Church among the Jews. Peter and John are important in the work. But the great message is now to issue forth from the confines of Judaism: '''all flesh is to see the salvation of God'''.  Paul is to be the great instrument in preaching Christ to the Gentiles. In the development of the Christian church Paul wrought more than all the other Apostles. His appointment as the Apostle of the Gentiles does not prevent him from preaching to the Jews, but his richest fruits are gathered from the Gentiles.