Guido Gardens Online: Bible Studies by The Sower

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The Guido Evangelistic Association, Inc.
600 N Lewis St.
PO Box 508
Metter, Georgia 30439

(912) 685-2222
FAX (912) 685-3502

Michael A. Guido, D.D., Director

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This site sponsored by
Metter Ford.

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Fred Passmore

FREE BIBLE STUDIES BY THE SOWER

Dr. Guido has been writing and recording messages on the books of the Bible for his 15 minute radio program, "The Sower," for over 40 years. Now, for the first time, they are presented in text form for your enjoyment and edification.

Click on the menu to the left to begin your Bible Study with Dr. Guido, one verse at a time, in the order in which they were written and recorded.

The Book of Acts: Message One

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.

In days of old the graves of the dead were often marked with the symbol of a broken pillar. That was to show that their lives were uncompleted and unfinished. But the symbol of the broken pillar could never be placed on the grave of Jesus. When he died, He declared, "It is finished." But the Bible doesn't have the words "The End" to the story of the life of Jesus at Calvary. That was the end of the beginning. The sacrificial ministry of Christ was completed when He left this earth. But His saving ministry will be continued until there's a new heaven and a new earth. Dr. Luke wrote a letter about the Lord Jesus. It's the gospel of Luke. But it's an unfinished letter, for the going of our Lord from this earth didn't end His labors. So Dr. Luke adds a postscript that the world might know that the things that Jesus began to do and to teach are still going on, and are gaining momentum and might. Do you ask, "Where is the postscript found?" In the Bible. It's the book of Acts. On this broadcast we're going to study that book. I hope you'll not miss a single broadcast. Don't lay aside the Bible until the passage we study together becomes a part of you. Pray it in as you study the verses. Jot down the thoughts that the Lord gives you. Then live the truth that you get from this study. And by all means, seek to tell somebody else that which you have learned. Should you ever have a question, or a heart problem, write to me, The Sower, Metter, Georgia, and I will be honored to help you.

As we begin our study of the book of Acts, let's meet the Author. He wasn't just a godly man, but a genius; not just a disciple, but a doctor. His name is Luke. Dr. Luke was one of Paul's most faithful friends and helpful helpers. During his last imprisonment he was his constant companion.

Let's meet the addressee. It's written in Acts 1:1, "The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began to do and teach." Do you ask, "Who was this man 'Theophilus'?" His name is mentioned in one other place, and that in Luke 1:3, where he's called, "most excellent Theophilus." That phrase really means "your excellency," and it was used only in addressing a Roman official, usually one set over a country, as a governor. It's interesting to note that when Dr. Luke first addressed him, it was "most excellent Theophilus." But when he writes him the second time, in the book of Acts, he omits the "most excellent." Why? I believe that this man, high up in the service of the Roman government, got saved through the reading of the gospel according to Luke. Now he was a brother in Christ. His name is significant. It means "a lover of God." You see, Jesus is everybody's Savior. He isn't confined to one class or category. He doesn't convert only a certain clan, or deliver only a certain denomination, or redeem only a certain race, or save only a certain select sect. He welcomed a man like Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. In his day you couldn't get any higher than he. But He won a Samaritan adulteress. In her day, you couldn't get any lower than she. Doctors, like Luke, were delivered by Him. Teachers, like Nicodemus, were taught by Him. Fishermen, like Peter, followed after Him. Housewives, like Peter's mother-in-law, helped Him. Politicians, like Zaachaeus, were personal workers for Him. He is "the Savior of the world." But is He your Savior?

In closing, mark the aim. Why was Dr. Luke led of the Lord to write the book of Acts? It was to give the record of the activity of the Divine Worker, even Jesus. It deals with what Jesus "began to do and to teach" until the day He was taken up, and after He was taken up, through the Holy Spirit in the lives of the Christians. Note that expression, "to do and to teach." There you have the work and the word. But note the order. Doing comes before teaching. Before you preach the word, you must practice it. Others won't be blessed by the preaching of the word by your lips, if you break it by your lives. Thus the book of Acts shows us that the early Christians practiced the gospel and preached it to all nations. Whatever stood in the way, they sacrificed. They welcomed toil and tribulation. Even death itself was cheerfully met if it would promote the gospel. That's genuine Christianity. Are you a genuine Christian?

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version..

Click here to go to the next message in this Sower Scripture Study on the book of Acts.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification.