UNION GROVE CHURCH OF CHRIST, CLEVELAND TN.  

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ACTS

 

I. CONTENTS of the book

1.      The earliest history of the church. The recorded events cover the period from about A.D. 30-63.

2.      From the ascension of Jesus (ch. 1) to Paul's imprisonment in Rome (ch. 28).

3.      It is called "Acts of the Apostles" because it records some of the activities and preaching of the apostles after Jesus ascended to heaven.

1)      The word "apostle" or some form of it is used at least 30 times in Acts.

2)      In fact, in this book the activities and work of two apostles is emphasized: Peter and Paul.

 

II. WRITER

1.      It is generally believed that Luke wrote it. Why?

2.      It was written to Theophilus (1:1). So was the book of Luke (Lk. 1:3,4). In Acts 1:1 the writer mentions the "former treatise" which he had written to Theophilus.

3.      The writer was often a companion of Paul in his travels and labors. Note the plural pronouns ("we") used in 16:10-17;  20:5-21:18;  27:1-28:16.

 

III. WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN

1.      As the book closes, Paul is in bonds in Rome for two years. That would be about A.D. 61-63.

2.      Because the book writes a continuous history of Paul's work, then it seems to quickly stop with Paul's imprisonment, it seems probable that Luke wrote it just after the end of Paul's imprisonment.

 

IV. PURPOSE--How did this book benefit the church of the first century? What about us?

1.      To record an accurate/true history of the church of the first century.

2.      To record what Jesus continued to do and teach after He ascended (1:1)--what He did through His apostles.

3.      To show that the church of the Lord is universal in nature:  for those of all nations, Jews and Gentiles, those of all backgrounds.

4.      To give a background history for the epistles that Paul wrote.

 

V. OUTLINE

1.      Before the church was established, Jesus ascended and Matthias was chosen as an apostle.  (1)

2.      The beginning of the church and the preaching of the gospel in Jerusalem. (2-7)

3.      The preaching of the gospel in Judaea and Samaria. (8-12)

4.      The preaching of the gospel throughout the Roman empire. (13-28)

1)      Three preaching trips of Paul. (13-21)

2)      Paul's arrest, questionings, and imprisonment. (22-28)

 

VI. COMPARISON OF THE TWO MAIN PARTS OF THE BOOK

Chapters 1-12                                                             

 


 

1.      Emphasizes the activities of Peter.            

2.      Jerusalem as the center of activity            

3.      Preaching in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria     

 

Chapters 13-28           

1.      Emphasizes the activities of Paul.

2.      Antioch of Syria as center of activity

3.      Preaching throughout the Roman empire, even to Rome itself

 

VII. CONVERSIONS RECORDED

1.      Jews on Pentecost (2:1-41)

2.      Samaritans (8:5-13)

3.      Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-39)

4.      Saul of Tarsus (9:1-18; 22:3-16; 26:9-19)

5.      Household of Cornelius (10:1-48)

6.      Household of Lydia (16:13-15)

7.      Household of Philippian jailer (16:25-34)

8.      Corinthians (18:5-8)

9.      About 12 men in Ephesus (19:1-7)

 

VIII. GENERAL FACTS TO NOTE

1.      A key verse is Acts 1:8, as it shows the geographical areas in which we will see the gospel preached.

2.      The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is a main theme of the preaching in Acts:

1:22; 2:24,31,32; 3:15; 4:2,10,33; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30,34; 17:18,31,32

3.      There are four main geographical areas:  Jerusalem, Antioch (Syria), Ephesus, Rome.

4.      The growth of the church: 2:41;  4:4;  5:14;  6:1,7;  9:31;  11:21,24;  16:5--how do we explain?

5.      The suffering done by the early disciples:

1)      Examples--4:1-3,17,21;  5:18,28,40;  7:54-58;  8:1-3;  9:1,2,23-25;  12:1-5;  13:50;  14:2-6,19,20;  16:19-24;  17:5-9,13,14;  18:12-17;  19:23-41;  21:27-34.

2)      Their reaction to it:  did not stop preaching (5:29); rejoiced (5:41,42); 14:3 (preached with boldness); 21:13 (ready to die for the Lord).

6.      How the followers of Jesus are described in this book:

1)      The church--5:11;  8:1,3.

2)      Believers--4:4;  5:14.

3)      Disciples--6:1,7.

4)      Those who call on the name of the Lord--9:14.

5)      Saints--9:13.

6)      Christians--11:26;  26:28.

7.      Problems that the church faced in the first century:

1)      From outside the church--5:18.

2)      Disciples lied to the Lord--5:1-11.

3)      Disciples murmured against other disciples--6:1-6.

4)      Because of persecution, disciples had to scatter--8:1-4.

5)      False teachers--15:1-5; 20:29-31.

6)      Opinions not the same, so temporarily did not work together--15:36-40.

7)      Ignorance--8:18-23; 24:25-27; 26:24.

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