The Book of Acts: The Acts of the Holy Spirit
The book of Acts, a historical-theological-narrative-record, was written to give an accurate & orderly account of the development & spread of the first thirty years of
Christianity by means of the ministry of the risen Jesus Christ through the Person & Work of the Holy Spirit. Twenty-eight chapters with a total of 1,007 verses, Acts
forms an inseparable link between the Gospels & the Epistles. Probably written after 59 AD but prior to July 19, 64 AD to Theophilus by Luke, the Greek physician &
fellow companion to the Apostle Paul. Acts 1:8 is the critical verse to know in understanding how this book unfolds. As of Acts 2: The new content of faith for
salvation: (1) Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God, died on the cross for our sins; (2) buried, the evidence of His death; (3) Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead on the
third day (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-7). The condition for salvation is faith alone in Christ alone for salvation. Dr. Paul R. Shockley, 27 February 2012 prshockley.org
Church est.; Gospel given to Jews Gospel extended to Judeans & Samaritans Gospel extended to Gentiles of all Races
Introduction: The Witness in The Witness in The Witness to Early Christianity:
1:1:6:7
1:1-2:4 Jerusalem: 2:5-8:3 Judea & Samaria: the Uttermost
Day of Pentecost; Peter’s Sermon; Ministry of Peter & John;
Prologue: At Pentecost: 8:4-12:25 Parts of the Early Persecution & Controversies in the Church (Ananaias &
1:1-5 2:5-47 Of Philip: Earth: 13:1-28:31 Sapphira; Neglect of Widow):
Acts 6:7
Ascension of Christ: Of Peter & John: 8:4-40 The First
Church Spreads:
1:6-11 3:1-4:31 Of Saul [Paul]: Missionary Journey:
6:8-9:31
9:32-11:18 13:1-14:28 Throughout Holy Land; Martyrdom of Stephen; Struggle with
Preparation for the Of the Apostles: [47/48 AD] the Jews
Witness: 4:32-5:42 Of the Church:
The Jerusalem Church Spreads to Gentiles:
1:12-2:4 4:32-5:42
Of Stephen: Council: 15:1-35 9:32-12:24
------------ 6:1-8:3 ------------- Spread of Church to Antioch; Conversion of Cornelius of
Crucifixion, Resurrection, & The Church grows in Judea & The Second
Ascension of Jesus Christ & ------------ Caesarea; More Struggle with Jews: Acts 12:24
Samaria: 37-41 AD
Church established about Stephen Martyred & Death of Herod Agrippa I Missionary Journey:
33 AD Paul’s conversion approx. Church Spreads to Asia Minor:
44 AD 15:36-18:22
33-35 AD 12:25-16:5
[52-56 AD] Paul’s First Missionary Trip :
Transitions in Acts: The Journey to
Acts 16:5
Historical: From the Gospels to Epistolary Literature Rome: 21:17-28:31 Church Spreads to Europe:
Religious: From Synagogue to Church (s) -------------- 16:6-28:31:
Theological: From Christ being present to the Holy Spirit being present. Council at Jerusalem & Jews Paul’s 2nd & 3rd missionary trip; resolve to go to Rome; arrest
expelled from Rome in 49 & hearings in Jerusalem & Caesarea; Voyage & stay in
Pneumatological: From the Spirit being with believers to the Spirit being in believers.
AD; Paul & Peter martyred Rome:
National: From Jews to Gentiles in 67/68 AD. Acts 19:20
Dispensational: From law to grace (though faith is always the condition of salvation).
THEOLOGICAL THEMES: (1) The Acts of the Holy Spirit: 1:2; 1:5; 1:8; 1:16; 2:17; 7:51; 8:18; 8:39; 9:31; 10:19; 11:15; 11:28; 13:52; 16:6; 19:6; 20:23; 20:28
Authentication of the New Faith by the Holy Spirit: 1:5-8; 2:1-47; 5:1-11; 6:5; 8:14-17; 10:44-47; 12:1-4; 19:1-7.
Distinction of Israel from the Church: 1:6b; 2;22; 2:36; 3:12; 4:10; 4:27; 5:21; 5:31; 5;35; 7;23, 37, 42; 9:15; 10:36; 13:16; 13:17; 13:23; 21:28; 28:20;
Gospel extended to the Jews First: 13:5, 14; 14:1; 16:11-13; 17:1-2, 10, 16-17; 18:1, 4, 19; 19:1, 8; 28:17;
Initial Fulfillment of Great Commission: 1:15; 2:41; 2:47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 13:49; 16:5; 19:20; 28:31.
Israel underDivine Judgment: 2:22-23, 36; 3:13-18; 4:10-11
Opposition to the Spread of the Gospel: Pentecost (2:1-47); Peter & John (5:1-42); Ananias & Sapphira (5:1-11); Peter (4:3; 5:18; 12:3); Stephen’s Death (7:54-8:1a); Saul’s persecution (8:1-3; 9:1-5; Paul (9:29; 16:23-
24; 21:27-36; 22:22-23:11; 24:1-27; 25:1-12; 25: 13-27; 28:17-31).
Suffering Messiah: 3:18; 4:11 cf. Psalm 118:22; 8:32-35; 17:2-3; 26:22-23.
Uniting Jews & Gentiles into One Body: 1:5, 8; 2:9, 14, 38; 8:1, 4-25; 9:1-19; 9:31, 36-43; 10:2, 37; 19:1-7; 26:20; 28:31
Authority of the Apostles & Jerusalem Church: 1:15-26; 2:14-41; 2:47; 3:11-26; 4:1-22; 4:23-31; 5:1-11; 5:12-16; 5:27-32; 6:1-7; 7:1-53; 11:1-18; 12:6-11; 15:1-35; 21:37-22:31; 24:1-27; 25:1-12; 25:13-27; 26:1-32 .
