Berachah Bible InstituteBerachah Bible InstituteNT Survey INT Survey I

Book of ActsBook of Acts

Introductory Matters for Introductory Matters for ActsActs

AuthorAuthor: Luke, a Gentile and close associate : Luke, a Gentile and close associate of the Apostle Paul and eyewitness of the of the Apostle Paul and eyewitness of the events of Acts 16:11 ff. and 20 – 28. This is events of Acts 16:11 ff. and 20 – 28. This is volume II of the work that he began with volume II of the work that he began with his gospel.his gospel.

DateDate: About 62 or 63 AD.: About 62 or 63 AD. AudienceAudience: “Theophilus,” the same man to : “Theophilus,” the same man to

whom wrote his gospel (Acts 1:1).whom wrote his gospel (Acts 1:1). CharacterCharacter: :

Acts picks up where Luke’s gospel left off. Acts picks up where Luke’s gospel left off. It is a history of the first 30 years of the church It is a history of the first 30 years of the church

and the work of the Holy Spirit during this time and the work of the Holy Spirit during this time as the Gospel spreads across the Roman as the Gospel spreads across the Roman Empire. Empire.

It serves as a transitional book and a bridge It serves as a transitional book and a bridge between the Gospels and the Epistles.between the Gospels and the Epistles.

Geography of ActsGeography of Acts

1-7

8-12

Acts 1:8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

Geography of ActsGeography of Acts

13-28

Geography of ActsGeography of Acts

Structure of ActsStructure of Acts

Structure of ActsStructure of Acts

(Saul and Peter)

Structure of ActsStructure of Acts

(Saul and Peter)

Survey of ActsSurvey of Acts Witness in Jerusalem (1:1 – 8:3)Witness in Jerusalem (1:1 – 8:3)

Christ’s ascension from Mount OlivetChrist’s ascension from Mount Olivet PentecostPentecost Peter, John, and other apostles minister in JerusalemPeter, John, and other apostles minister in Jerusalem StephenStephen

Witness in Judea and Samaria (8:4 – 12:25)Witness in Judea and Samaria (8:4 – 12:25) Philip goes to Samaria, preaches the Gospel; his work is Philip goes to Samaria, preaches the Gospel; his work is

followed up by Peter and John, who impart the Holy Spiritfollowed up by Peter and John, who impart the Holy Spirit Philip continues to preach throughout SamariaPhilip continues to preach throughout Samaria Saul is converted; Peter introduces Gospel to GentilesSaul is converted; Peter introduces Gospel to Gentiles Herod steps up persecution, but the church continues to Herod steps up persecution, but the church continues to

growgrow Witness to the Uttermost Part of the World (13:1 – Witness to the Uttermost Part of the World (13:1 –

28:31)28:31) Paul’s three missionary journeysPaul’s three missionary journeys Paul’s witness to the crowd in Jerusalem, trip to CaesareaPaul’s witness to the crowd in Jerusalem, trip to Caesarea Paul’s trials before the Sanhedrin, Felix and Festus Paul’s trials before the Sanhedrin, Felix and Festus

(Governors of Judea), and King Agrippa(Governors of Judea), and King Agrippa Paul’s trip to Rome and imprisonment therePaul’s trip to Rome and imprisonment there

Acts: A Series of Progress Acts: A Series of Progress Reports on the Spread of the Reports on the Spread of the

GospelGospel And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith (6:7, after the appointment of deacons).(6:7, after the appointment of deacons).

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and, going on in the fear of the enjoyed peace, being built up; and, going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase (9:31, when Saul was in Jerusalem after his increase (9:31, when Saul was in Jerusalem after his conversion).conversion).

But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied (12:24, after the death of Herod).(12:24, after the death of Herod).

So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily (16:5, after Timothy joins Paul and increasing in number daily (16:5, after Timothy joins Paul and Silas on the second journey).Silas on the second journey).

So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing (19:20, after Paul’s miraculous works at Ephesus on his third (19:20, after Paul’s miraculous works at Ephesus on his third journey).journey).

And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered (28:30-31, the end of the book).openness, unhindered (28:30-31, the end of the book).

Major Themes in ActsMajor Themes in Acts The Ministry of the Holy Spirit and The Ministry of the Holy Spirit and

Accompanying Works of PowerAccompanying Works of Power The Apostolic Preaching of the Death, The Apostolic Preaching of the Death,

Resurrection, and Exaltation of ChristResurrection, and Exaltation of Christ The Rejection of Jesus as the Christ by The Rejection of Jesus as the Christ by

IsraelIsrael The Acceptance of Jesus by the GentilesThe Acceptance of Jesus by the Gentiles The Controversy over Gentile SalvationThe Controversy over Gentile Salvation The Transition from Israel to the ChurchThe Transition from Israel to the Church The Establishment and Growth of the The Establishment and Growth of the

ChurchChurch

Purpose Statement for ActsPurpose Statement for Acts

Luke writes to provide an Luke writes to provide an authoritative account of the early authoritative account of the early history of the Church and the history of the Church and the expansion of the Gospel across the expansion of the Gospel across the Roman Empire by the power of the Roman Empire by the power of the Holy Spirit.Holy Spirit.

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