Amazing Grace Baptist Church, Hamburg Bible study material 

1. Introduction
This bible study material begins our studies on the book of Acts. The book of Acts is the name given to the second part of a two – volume work traditionally identified as having been written by Luke, a companion of the Apostle Paul. The book of Acts is basically historical book that forms a bridge between the Gospels and the New Testament letters. The author’s major interests are theological/spiritual and pastoral. The book is sometimes called “Acts of the Apostles” though this title seems to be misleading. For Luke appears to recount stories of the Apostles and other prominent church leaders. However, Luke’s major interest is to tell the Acts of God. Thus, the book of Acts could be called “Acts of the Holy Spirit” or “Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ”

2. Authorship of the book of Acts
The knowledge of an author of a book is very important to understanding what the person writes. Therefore, this aspect of our study discusses the authorship of Acts. It is believed that Luke wrote the book of Acts although no mention of the name is made. Traditionally, several reasons support Lukan authorship. To begin, the early Church Fathers such as Clement of Alexandria, Tertulian, Jerome and historians such as Eusebius all attest to Luke’s authorship. It is worthy of note that these Fathers were closer to the age than we are now and so their witnesses could be more credible. Further, Paul was a close friend of Luke (Col 4:14). This makes Luke to be able to carry firsthand information. In this light, Luke’s use of “we” and “us” in Acts 16:10-17; Acts 20:5-21, tells us that the author is an eyewitness of the many events recorded in Acts.
If it is most probable that Luke wrote the book of Acts, then the following unique factors make him to be well suitable to tell his story:

a. Luke was a Gentile
Luke appears to be the only Gentile among the New Testament Gospel writers. Some factors that indicate Luke’s Gentile origins include: Paul appears to describe Luke, the doctor as non – Jewish who is not part of his three Jewish companions (Col 4:10 – 14); Luke appears to use the Septuagint versions of the Old Testament instead of translating from the Hebrew; Luke refers to the “Aramaic language” in ways that give the impression that he could not speak it (Acts 1:9); Luke shows special interest in Antioch in Syria. He thus shows special interest in the birth and growth of the Church in Antioch; and Luke’s dedication of his work to Theophilus appears to endorse the fact that he was a Gentile and wrote to a Greek patron, Theophilus.

b. Luke was highly educated
This uniqueness has to do with the fact that Luke was a Doctor. At that time, medicine was a special branch of philosophy, and Luke’s general culture and education was clear in his writings. The reasons being that Luke uses rich vocabulary choices, Literary skills and calls his work an orderly account.

c. Luke was a historian
Luke introduces his gospel in Luke 1:1-4 as a researcher who has done a painstaking investigation. This points out to the fact that Luke shows meticulous accuracy in matters of geography and civil administration.

d. Luke was a traveller
The word Luke uses in Luke 1:3 implies that he travelled in order to carry his investigation out. This interest in travelling is reflected in the story itself. Both Luke’s Gospel and Acts are based on several journeys.

3. Addressee of the book of Acts
The book of Acts is addressed to Theophilus meaning “Lover of God” or “Loved of God.” The recipient thus seems to be an influential citizen. The purpose was to give Theophilus an orderly account of the things in which he had been instructed. It is most likely that Theophilus was a believer already and there were other documented accounts that were in circulation. Luke’s orderly and systematic account thus suggests that true faith must base on facts.

4. Conclusion
This study has purposed to introduce the book of Acts by means of presenting issues regarding its authorship and recipient. Writing to a respected citizen, Theophilus, it can be said that Luke was a man of the extensive Graco – Roman world of his day. He was a man of unique background in areas of his professional experience, literary and historical gifts, travels and association with Paul. All these made him to be well suited for his writing ministry.

Questions
1. Why is it important to know something about the author of a biblical book?
2. State two important unique factors about Luke as the suggested author of the book of Acts.
3. Who was Theophilus?
4. How does your background and experience in the Lord affect what you say and write about Jesus and his Church?

THE BOOK OF ACTS INTRODUCED, BY REV JOHN KWASI FOSU

Amazing  Grace Baptist Church Bible Study material on the meaning and significance of prayer and fasting 

Text: Matthew 6:16-18
Memory Verse: Psalm 69:10

Introduction
The meaning and significance of fasting in matters of faith cannot be overemphasized. What this means is that fasting is not an exclusively Christian discipline. For all the major religions of the world recognize its importance. Islam has fasting as one its five pillars. Zoroaster practiced fasting as did Confucius and the Yogis of India. Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle all fasted. Even Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, believed in fasting.

Within Christianity, the Scripture identifies some key persons who fasted. Some of them are Moses the lawgiver, David the king, Elijah the prophet, Esther the queen, Daniel the seer, Anna the prophetess, Paul the apostle, Jesus Christ the incarnate Son. Also, many of the influential Christians throughout church history also fasted and testified to its significance. Among them were Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, David Brainerd and Charles Finney.

In today’s lesson, we purpose to study Jesus’ instruction on fasting in Matthew 6:16-18. Issues for our discussions from the passage include the meaning of fasting, fasting as one of the spiritual disciplines, kinds of fasting and rewards (significance of fasting) of fasting.

The meaning of fasting
In a specific biblical sense, to fast means to abstain from food for spiritual purposes (Matthew 6:16). Fasting involves abstaining from food and not water as seen from the example of Jesus as recorded in Luke 4. In a broad sense, however, Richard Foster, defines fasting as “the voluntary denial of a normal function for the sake of intense spiritual activity.” It stands in distinction to the hunger strike, the purpose of which is to gain political power or attract attention to a good cause. It is also different from health dieting which stresses abstinence from food for physical purposes. In contemporary times and in a broader sense, however, apart from abstaining from food, one may need to fast from involvement with other people, the media, the telephone and sleep for spiritual purposes.

Fasting as a spiritual discipline or a devotion to God
Jesus’ instruction on fasting is situated in the context of his teaching on giving and prayer. As such, prayer, giving and fasting are all to be part of Christian devotion. By Jesus’ use of the phrases “And whenever you fast,” and “But you, when you fast,” and his instructions on what to do and what not to do when we fast (Matthew 6:16-17), Jesus teaches that his followers are supposed to fast and so they fast. This assumption implies that fasting is and should become part of our devotion to God. Similar expressions are used about prayer (Mt. 6:5-7: “And when you pray, …But you, when you pray, . . . And when you are praying…) and giving (Mt. 6:2-3: “When therefore you give alms, . . . But when you give alms…). Thus, just as we are to give and to pray, so also Jesus implies that it is our obligations as his followers to fast. Similarly, Jesus says of His followers in Matthew 9:15 that after He leaves and returns to Heaven “then they will fast.”

Kinds of fasting
The kind of fasting in Mt. 6:16-18 that Jesus talked about could be regarded as a private fast. That explains the reason why Jesus emphasizes proper attitude that we are to anoint our heads and wash our faces so that we will not appear to men that we are fasting. In the Bible, however, different kinds of fasting could be identified:
a. A normal fast involves abstaining from all food, solid or liquid but not from water (Mt. 4:2; Lk. 4:2).
b. A partial fast is a limitation of the diet but not abstention from all food (Dan. 1:12; Mt. 3:4).
c. An absolute fast is the avoidance of all food and liquid (Ezra 10:6; Esther 4:16; Acts 9:9).
d. There is also a description of supernatural fasts of Moses (Deut. 9:9) and Elijah (1 Kin. 19:8)).
e. A congregational fast (Joel 2:15-16)
f. A national fast (2 Chr. 20:3)
g. An entire city Fast (Jonah 3)
h. A regular fast (Lev. 16:29-31; Lk. 18:12)
i. Occasional fasts (Mt. 9:15).

The rewards and importance of fasting
In Matthew 6:18, Jesus assures the believers of an open reward when fasting is observed in a proper way. To begin, fasting helps us to maintain our focus on God. Sometimes there is much stress on the blessings more than the giver of blessings. We are therefore not to use fasting for our own ends. Fasting must centre on God. Like the Prophetess Anna, we are to love and worship God with fasting (Luke 2:37). Fasting and Worshipping the Lord must be the same.
Next, fasting reveals what is controlling our lives. David said in Psalm 69:10 that I humbled my soul with fasting. In this case, anger, bitterness, jealousy, strife and fear that are hidden within us surface during fasting. Moreover, fasting reminds us that we are sustained by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. God sustains us and so through fasting we are feasting on the word of God.
Other significance of fasting can be identified from diverse scriptural references. Some of which are to strengthen prayer (Ezra 8:23; Neh. 1:4; Acts 13:3); to seek God’s guidance (Judg. 20:26-28; Acts 14:23); to seek from God deliverance or protection (2 Chr. 20:3-4; Ezra 8:21-23; Esther 4:16; Ps. 109:21-26), to express repentance and the return to God (1 Sam. 7:6; Joel 2:12; Jonah 3:5-8); to humble oneself before God (1 Kings 21:27-29; Ps. 35:13); to express concern for the work of God (Neh. 1:3-11; Isa. 58:6-7; Dan. 9:3); to minister to the needs of others (Isa. 58:6-7) and to overcome temptation and dedicate ourselves to God (Mt. 4:1-11).

Conclusion
Our studies on Matthew 6:16-18 reveals that by Jesus’ instruction that when you fast, he appears to make assumption that believers will fast, and consequently give instructions on how to do it properly. In the words of Martin Luther, “It was not Christ’s intention to reject or despise fasting, …it was His intention to restore fasting.” Thus, these words from Jesus do not constitute a command, rather he was giving instruction about a proper exercise of a common practice of his day. And that when fasting is properly done, it is richly rewarding.

Questions for application
1. What does it to mean to fast?
2. Are some Christians exempted from fasting? Give reasons for your answer?
3. What kind of fasting are appropriate to our situations as Christians in diaspora?
4. Narrate any personal testimony that confirms the significance of fasting that you have learnt.