Speeches in the Book of Acts

This six-part series, delivered by brother John Carter at the 1952 Bible School in Wilbraham, explores the powerful speeches recorded in the book of Acts. Each lecture highlights how the apostles presented the gospel with clarity, conviction, and scriptural depth, showing us both the historical accuracy of Luke’s record and the timeless relevance of the message. Together, these studies help us appreciate how the early believers reasoned from the scriptures and proclaimed salvation through Jesus with boldness and faith.

Introducing Acts

The opening lecture sets the stage by examining Luke’s role as a historian and inspired writer. Brother Carter shows how Acts gives us a priceless window into the first vital decades of Christian life, when the apostles carried forward the work of Jesus after his ascension. He also demonstrates how archaeological discoveries confirm Luke’s accuracy, reminding us that Acts is both trustworthy history and a clear record of God’s purpose in calling out a people for his name.

Peter’s Speech at Pentecost

The second lecture focuses on Peter’s stirring message in Acts 2. Standing before a vast crowd, Peter explained that the outpouring of the Spirit fulfilled God’s promises, and he reasoned from the Psalms to show that Jesus, whom they had crucified, was both Lord and Christ. Brother Carter highlights how Peter’s words followed the same method Jesus used after his resurrection: opening up the scriptures to show their fulfillment. The lecture reveals the depth of reasoning and conviction that gave the early preaching such power.

The Messiahship of Jesus

In the third lecture, the spotlight is on the name of Jesus and what it truly means. The apostles showed that salvation comes only through this name, which embodies God’s saving purpose. Brother Carter explains how Old Testament prophecies pointed to both the suffering and the reign of the Messiah, and how Jesus fulfilled them as savior and future king. The lesson emphasizes that his kingship is inseparable from his role as redeemer, placing the hope of the kingdom within God’s larger plan of salvation.

The Declaration of Stephen

The fourth lecture examines Stephen’s courageous defense before the Jewish council in Acts 7. Stephen’s speech traced Israel’s history, showing how God’s purpose was never confined to temple or ritual, but always pointed toward the greater reality revealed in Jesus. His fearless testimony, ending in martyrdom, marked the beginning of sharp conflict between Judaism and the new faith. Brother Carter explains how Stephen’s words exposed the heart of the opposition and laid a foundation for the ecclesia's expansion beyond Jerusalem.

The Speeches in Their Historical Aspect

The fifth lecture places the speeches of Acts in their wider historical context. From Pentecost to the first missionary journeys, Luke records how the gospel spread outward and how both Jews and Gentiles responded. Brother Carter shows how Peter’s and Paul’s messages shared the same essential themes, rooted in scripture and centered on Jesus. He also explores Paul’s first recorded exhortation, connecting it with his later letter to the Galatians, and highlighting how both reveal the unity and truth of the gospel.

A Summary of the Work

The final lecture gathers the threads of the series, showing how Luke’s narrative moves from Jerusalem to Rome under the guidance of God’s Spirit. Brother Carter reviews the opposition faced by the apostles—political, doctrinal, and social—and how they consistently responded with scriptural reasoning and faithful witness. He notes the progression from Peter’s early speeches to Paul’s defenses before governors and kings, all demonstrating that Christianity was not a threat to lawful order but a fulfillment of God’s promises. The series closes with a vision of the gospel’s unstoppable progress among both Jews and Gentiles.

This description has been generated by AI and lightly edited.