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The Book of Acts

Acts 1:8
Jerusalem - chapters 1-7
Judea / Samaria - chapters 8, 9
Outer most parts - chapters10-28

Outline of Acts

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Session 4 Division II. History, Written around 61ad
Introduction: This is Luke’s second book written to someone named Theophilus which means “lover of God.” The first book was the Gospel of Luke. Acts records the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Rome Acts 1:8, and so it is divided; Jerusalem - chapters 1-7, Judea / Samaria - chapters 8, 9, Outer most parts – chapters 10-28.

Chapter 1 After 40 days of Jesus teaching pertaining to the Kingdom of God after His resurrection they gather on the Mount of Olives where Jesus gives instructions before He ascends into heaven. They are told to wait for the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit”, which will be in 10 days during the Feast of Pentecost / Shavuot. While 120 of the disciples are gathered in the upper room during Pentecost they choose who will replace Judas Iscariot and Matthias is chosen. The requirements for apostleship are written in 1:21, 22.

Chapter 2 ** Begin to write down or underline in what way and how the “Holy Spirit” is referred to from chapter 2 and following.
When the Feast of Pentecost had come they were “filled with the Spirit” and began to speak other languages which were unknown to the ones speaking but know to those who were hearing them speak concerning the “wonderful works of God”. The very first Pentecost is recorded in Exodus chapter 19, 20. It has been said that the original Israelites heard God speak to them in their own languages.
Peter speaks about how prophecy has been fulfilled in Jesus and he quotes (Joel 2:28-32) and he also speaks of King David’s prophecy (Ps.16:8-11, Ps.110). After Peter’s message 3,000 souls are baptized. An interesting side note is that it is recorded in (Exodus 32:28) that after the first Day of Pentecost 3,000 were killed.
Some of the early messianic community begin to meet from house to house and some live communally (koinos) for those who needed the financial assistance due to a loss of income and property because of increased persecution (see also Acts 4:32-37).

Chapter 3 The early believers still continued temple worship; specifically prayer. Peter and John continue the healings at the temple as Jesus did, and make a bold statement about temple worship and salvation in Jesus’ name, which causes their 1st arrest.

Chapter 4 Peter and John are arrested and held in captivity until the next day, because meetings where not supposed to be held at night (the obvious exception was Jesus’ mock trial during Passover). The Sadducees were the political and religious appointees that were the High Priests and in charge of Temple worship. Ironically they taught; against an afterlife and the resurrection of the body, only taught from the Torah (1st 5 books of the Bible), and they didn’t believe in angels or miracles.
After the temple miracle 5,000 more believed. Peter and John are brought before the High Priest and his family where they present their case. After Peter’s speech they are warned and let go. After hearing the Apostles report the disciples were “filled with the Spirit” and spoke the Word of God with Boldness. Barnabus a Levite is chosen as one of the disciples.

Chapter 5 Many of the believers were selling their property to help those in need. One such couple was Ananias and his wife Sapphira. Unfortunately they “lied to the Holy Spirit” concerning the money that was earned and miraculously they were both struck dead. Many miracles were performed at the hands of the Apostles. The Apostles are arrested a 2nd time by the High Priest, but and angel of the Lord released them. Again they are brought before the High Priest for speaking in Jesus’ Name. Gamaliel who was a Pharisee and Paul’s teacher warned the council not to judge them too severely or they might find themselves “fighting against God!” They were beaten and then released.

Chapter 6 The body of believers was growing too large for the Apostles to handle themselves so 7 men “full of the Spirit and wisdom” were chosen; most notably is a man named Stephen. Stephen begins to defend the faith in public and is brought before the council as the Apostles were. He begins to review Israel’s history in Chapter 7 of disobedience and God’s promise of salvation and is killed.

Chapter 8 A Pharisee named Saul is introduced, who later comes to be known as the Apostle Paul.
Saul consents to the stoning of Stephen and receives permission to go from synagogue to synagogue arresting those who believe in Jesus. As a result, believers begin leaving Jerusalem.
The Apostle Philip begins his ministry in Samaria many are baptized and receive the Holy Spirit through the Apostles hands. Philip is led to an Ethiopian Eunuch who is reading from Isaiah and he is later baptized.

Chapter 9 Saul is on his way to Damascus to arrest believers when Jesus appears before him and he is struck blind. God reveals his plan for Saul and directs a disciple named Ananias to go to Paul to lay hands on him for him to be healed and receive the Holy Spirit. Immediately Paul begins to preach the Gospel in the local synagogues. After the Jewish council hears of his actions they seek out how to have him killed. He is smuggled out and Paul goes to Jerusalem to meet with the Apostles. He meets with Barnabas who presents Paul and reports how he defended the Gospel.
Peter goes to Lydda to heal a man named Aeneas. As a result many in that town and in Sharon turned to the Lord. Peter then travels to Joppa where he encounters a woman named Tabitha / Dorcas who had died. Peter prays for her and she comes back to life. As a result many in Joppa believe. Peter stays in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.

Chapter 10 The chapter introduces a soldier named Cornelius who was a convert to Judaism who lived in Caesarea. After he had been fasting and praying for 4 days , he received a vision where he was told to send for Peter. At the same time Peter while in prayer saw a vision about bringing the Gospel to the gentiles “the unclean”. The Spirit then told Peter that 3 men were coming to bring him to Cornelius. While presenting the Gospel to Cornelius the Holy Spirit came upon them in the same manner as He had with the Apostles.

Chapter 11 Peter reports to the other Apostles about salvation being brought to the Gentiles. The Gospel begins to be preached to other gentiles in Antioch, where the term “Christian” was first coined. A man by the name of Agabus is introduced as being a prophet and predicts a famine.

Chapter 12 Herod Agrippa had James the brother of John killed and was looking for other disciples to make an example of during the Passover. Peter is found and put in prison again. While Peter is in prison, an angel comes and releases him and passes through the guards unnoticed. He goes to the house of John Mark where the disciples are gathered in prayer and has to knock on the door several times before they would let him in. Later Herod Agrippa is killed by God because of his arrogance.

Chapter 13 Saul and Barnabas are anointed for ministry. They begin their ministry in Cyprus and later in Paphos where they meet a sorcerer named Bar-jesus / Elymus. Saul commands him to be blind. Saul is first called Paul here. Paul enters a synagogue and presents the Gospel starting with Moses and ends with David and the promise of a messiah, which was Jesus whom God raised from the dead. As a result many Jews and gentiles believe. Paul later declares that they must now go to the Gentiles with the Gospel.

Chapter 14 Paul and Barnabas travel to Iconium and Lystra and are met with hostile Jewish opposition. Paul heals a lame man in Lystra and the citizens attempt to label them as the deities (Zeus and Hermes). Paul is stoned by hostile Jews but miraculously saved.

Chapter 15 (chapters 15-18 Paul’s 2nd missionary journey) A decision is made in Jerusalem among the Apostles that only a few requirements are to be made of gentile believers and not certain laws such as circumcision vs.20. Barnabas and John Mark part ways with Paul and Silas.

Chapter 16 Timothy joins Paul in Lystra. Paul receives a vision of a Macedonian pleading for him to come there. Paul arrives in Philippi where he meets Lydia. Paul and Silas are arrested and imprisoned for casting out a demon of a slave woman. At midnight there is an earthquake and their chains are broken. The prison guard is baptized. As a Roman citizen Paul should not have been beaten and imprisoned without a trial. He is asked to leave.

Chapter 17 Paul visits Thessalonica and Berea. Paul debates Greek philosophers at Mars Hill in Athens.

Chapter 18 (chapters 18-21 Paul’s 3rd missionary journey.) Paul enters Corinth where he meets Aquila and Priscilla fellow tent makers. He stays 1 ½ years and many become believers. Paul travels to Syria and Ephesus where he meets and apologist named Apollos.

Chapter 19 Paul meets fellow believers in Ephesus who have only been baptized with John’s baptism and are unaware of the “Holy Spirit”. Paul stays 2 years so that all those in Asia hear the Gospel.
Paul encounters Jewish exorcists 7 sons of Sceva who failed to cast out a demon and are beaten.
The temple of Diana / Artemis he threatened because of the loss of sales of idols in Ephesus and a riot begins.

Chapter 20 After the riot Paul departs to Macedonia. Eutychus is raised alive after falling out of a window at night after falling asleep in a window while Paul taught. Paul intends to go to Jerusalem for Pentecost.

Chapter 21 (chapters 21-28 Paul’s 4th and final missionary journey). Paul sails for Jerusalem. Paul stays in Tyre and is warned by Agabus that bonds await Paul in Jerusalem. Paul arrives in Jerusalem and meets with the Apostles. To clear up Paul’s Jewish identity he enters into a vow and goes to the Temple. Paul is arrested.

Chapter 22 Paul offers a defense before his accusers and informs them about his visions and conversion. They interrupt his defense and are about to scourge him when Paul informs them that he is a Roman citizen.

Chapter 23 Paul presents his case before the Sanhedrin where he defends his hope of the resurrection and starts an argument between the Sadducees and the Pharisees. A plot is devised to kill Paul but the soldiers are warned by Paul’s nephew and Paul is escorted to Felix the governor in Caesarea. Paul is kept in prison until his accusers arrive.

Chapter 24 Ananias and Tertullus arrive with their accusations and Paul defends himself concerning his hope of the resurrection. Paul speaks before Felix and his wife Drusilla. Paul remains in prison for 2 years.

Chapter 25 Paul appeals before Festus to go to Rome for trial.

Chapter 26 Paul pleads his case before King Agrippa and is sent to Rome for trial.

Chapter 27 Paul sails to Rome where he encounters a storm and is shipwrecked at Malta

Chapter 28 Paul is saved in Malta and they board another ship to Rome after 3 months.
Paul arrives in Rome and for 2 years is under house arrest while he preaches the Gospel to Rome.

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