Acts of the Apostles
Art copyrighted and used courtesy of Artist Alex Pokos
INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK
Theme: The work of the risen Jesus Christ continues through the Holy Spirit and His presence in establishing the Church through the spreading of the message by the men that had seen and heard Jesus Christ personally.
The book originally had no title. In the second century it became known by the title “The Acts of the Apostles”. Some have said the title was given because the Apostles are all named in the first chapter.
Many of these Apostles are never mentioned again and some only briefly. A simpler title would be “The continuing work of the risen Christ through the Holy Spirits presence on the men that were His disciples while he was on earth”.
Acts chronicles the Apostles and believers setting out to fulfill the commission set forth in Acts 1:8 by Jesus. He told them to go “be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Author = Luke, writer of the Gospel of Luke around 63 A.D. Although he is given credit by “scholars” there is one interesting fact to note. There are passages during the missionary travels of Paul that change “tense” during the recounting of events. Suddenly the narrative transforms from “they” to “we”. It appears as though the previous writer changed. It may be that the new writer has just arrived back on the scene or someone is “covering” until the writer returns. It is of note that Luke is not mentioned “by name” when individuals are mentioned during the journeys.
The Book can also be divided into four sections.
SECTION I - Acts chapter 1 through Acts 8:3
It is a definitive record of the foundations and structure that established the group of early believers. This section covers the beginning of the Gospel following the Day of Pentecost experience of Acts 2. This was the start in “Jerusalem and all Judea”.
SECTION II – Acts 8:4 through Acts 12
Following the death of Stephen there was heavy persecution. Especially due to the role of Saul of Tarsus. This began the great dispersal of the Gospel. Beginning with the work of Philip out to “Samaria”. Saul has his conversion experience and Peter helps open the outreach to the Gentiles.
SECTION III – Acts 13 through Acts 20
Probably the most taught on section as it records the missionary travels of Paul and his team to the “uttermost part of the earth”.
SECTION IV – Acts 21 through Acts 28
Paul’s arrest and confinement. The stand Paul makes before man and the time he is now given to pen his letters changes the world.
CHAPTER OVERVIEWS
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Chapter 1 Waiting for the Promise
Chapter 2 Pentecost – The Arrival of the Holy Spirit
Chapter 3:1– 4:31 Directly to the Temple
Chapter 4:32 – 5:42 Ministry Begins
Chapters 6-7 Ministry and Life Witness of Stephen
DISPERSAL OF THE GOSPEL MESSAGE
Chapter 8 Philip to Samaria
Chapter 9:1-31 Conversion Testimony of Saul of Tarsus
Chapter 9:32-43 Peter ministers in Lydda and Joppa
Chapters 10-11 Peter introduces the Gospel to the Gentiles
Chapter 11 Barnabas to Antioch
Chapter 12 Peter’s Miraculous Prison Escape
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Chapter 13 Barnabas and Paul First Missionary Trip Part 1
Chapter 14 Barnabas and Paul First Missionary Trip Part 2
Chapter 15 Jerusalem Conference on the Gentiles
Chapter 16 Paul Second Missionary Trip Part 1
Chapter 17 Paul Second Missionary Trip Part 2
Chapter 18 Paul Second Missionary Trip Part 3
Chapter 19 Paul Third Missionary Journey Part 1
Chapter 20 Paul Third Missionary Trip Part 2
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ARREST AND CONFINEMENT OF PAUL
Chapter 21-22 Paul’s Arrest in Jerusalem Part 1
Chapter 22-23 Paul’s Arrest in Jerusalem Part 2
Chapter 24 Prison in Caesarea, guest of Governor Felix
Chapter 25-26 Prison in Caesarea, Procurator Festus and King Agrippa
Chapter 27 Boat trip to Rome
Chapter 28 Paul in Rome
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Other Info related to the Book of Acts
A timeline can be developed from the Acts narrative of Paul’s Missionary stops. Using that it becomes easier to follow names and locations that Paul writes his epistles to later.
Click the following link to see a
Timeline sheet of Paul’s Missionary trips in PDF format.
Map of Jerusalem in First Century (Royalty free map)
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Emperors of Rome during the time period of the New Testament. 30 B.C. – 117 A.D.
Augustus – census and birth of Christ Tiberius – Crucifixion of Christ Caligula – bloody ruler, known as “little boots” Claudius – time of the book of Acts Nero – Trial of Paul Galba Otho Vitellius Vespasian – Destruction of Jerusalem Titus Domitian Nerva Trajan
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BiblesWordFinal Blog https://bibleswordfinal.blogspot.com
Articles written for the blog regarding the Book of Acts:
What affect did Easter have on Acts 3?
Is the church today living up to example of Acts 2 church?
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