The Book of Acts: Lessons on the Church Then and for the Church Today

This study explores God’s intricate theology and plan for His church revealed in the rich intertextuality Luke provides in the book of Acts. Themes and topics include the teachings on salvation and sanctification, the Holy Spirit, prayer, persecution, and the church. The study will also teach and model how to handle accurately the word of God and discern the intended meaning of the texts often missed from more casual readings of Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15 and 3:16-17). The class is designed as a Bible study to help believers become deeply rooted in the Biblical faith and better equipped in reaching others for Christ. The 28-week study will explore one chapter a week and include time for teaching, fellowship, prayer, and the occasional breaking of bread, a description of the early church outlined in Acts 2:42.

Led by John Shoup, who is the Executive Director of the Leadership Institute at California Baptist University in Riverside. John has served as a university dean, middle and high school principal, and social worker in various service settings. John has a Ph.D. in Education and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has been married for 29 years to Margarita and they have one daughter.