Luke, the author of the gospel of luke, was a doctor and gentile. T he book of acts in the bible, written around 6263 a. Author internal and external evidence point to luke as the spiritinspired author of acts. Acts 1 kjv the former treatise have i made, o bible. Each paragraph in the esv translation of acts has been evaluated and a factual statement about its content was recorded in one sentence. The opening of the acts of the apostles outlines the entire book while also showing that. Luke even began to speak in the first person plural in the latter portion of acts, as he traveled the roman empire alongside. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. Outline studies in the book of the acts of the apostles. The rest of the apostles drop out of sight and are only mentioned in a corporate way. Mar 31, 2011 the illustrated acts of the apostles for children kieffer, jeanfrancois, ponsard, christine on. Both books are most easily tied to the geography of the book. Acts overview abbots illustrated new testament bible.
The introductions are similar in other ways as well. Sssh the book of acts how can we learn to keep the reality, and promise, of the second coming always before us. The first 12 chapters of the book of acts deal with peter, and the remainder of the book, the last 16 chapters is devoted to the apostle paul. One story in two parts reformed theological college. The acts of apostles gives us a unique insight into how the church began. Internal evidence is found largely in the we sections of the book. The structure of the books of luke and acts are closely tied. I invite you to take out your bibles and turn to acts chapter 3. It is titled acts to emphasize that this book records the acts of. We are going to zoom in to the city of jerusalem and witness the very first act of the apostles after the day of pentecost.
The illustrated acts of the apostles for children hardcover march 31, 2011 by jeanfrancois kieffer author, christine ponsard author 4. The major areas of history with which the author has dealt are. Both the gospel of luke and the book of acts are addressed to theophilus. The healing touch an illustrated sermon from acts 3. Apr 12, 2016 this picture shows how the whole book can be divided into those three regions. The disciples being empowered by the holy spirit to be missionary witnesses 3.
How god moves people sermon by gordon curley, acts. The traditional title of acts is the acts of the apostles. When you finish your outline, you can double check your work by comparing it to these sources. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. You will have approximately 20 minutes to complete this homework assignment. The first chapter of the book of acts from the watchword bible cev new testament.
As his gospel ends, luke introduces the themes reiterated here in acts 1. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. While there are some areas of great detail of the acts of the apostles, many times you must use cross references to the gospels of matthew, mark, luke and john as well as some other epistles in the new testament to get the full picture of what was. These proofs include his resurrection, his conference with the disciples, and the instructions that he left for them before he ascended into heaven. It traces christianity from its beginnings in jerusalem, following jesus resurrection, to the arrest of the apostle paul in rome, the heart of the empire. The equipment of the early disciples for their task acts 1. Acts of the apostles chapter nine objectives in studying this chapter 1 to study the conversion of saul, comparing lukes account in this chapter with sauls own words recorded later on in chapters 22 and 26 2 to note two miracles by peter, and the affect they had on many people who heard about them summary not content with persecuting. This is a geographical outline of the book based largely on what appears to be the organizing verse in acts. Jesus followers received the holy spirit on pentecost and became filled and equipped to spread the good news that would restore gods kingdom over the world. Now the second volume, acts, will detail jesus continuing work through his apostles that he had chosen and the work of the holy spirit who would be. The book of acts is unique because it is the only book of church history in the new testament. Exploring the book of acts chapter 1 gci archive grace.
Through what authority did jesus give commandments unto the apostles. A plan the book of acts is one of the few bible books, that first gives us the outline and then gives us the content. An ancient prologue to lukes gospel indicates that luke was first a follower of the apostles and then became close with paul. The allusion to a former treatise, and to theophilus, contained in the acts 1. Before jesus was taken into heaven where he was enthroned to share gods rule over the world, he instructed his followers to be a witness for him. However, after mentioning the eleven in chapter 1, and a brief mention of james the brother of john, plus some mention of james, the brother of jesus, the apostles luke focuses on are peter and paul. Our story starts off where the gospel of luke left offjesus is back now that hes resurrected, jesus decides to hang out and chat with his disciples whom luke calls apostles for forty days.
To illustrate the nature and function of these summary statements, well look at just. As i said, the book revolves around the apostles, peter and paul. It also may be divided around the expansion of the gospel in acts 1. The gospel being preached to all nations beginning at jerusalem 2. The connection between the work of the apostles and that of jesus acts 1. The book of acts tells how the multiethnic, international. In chapter 1, we saw that the early church believed that jesus was risen, ruling, and retuning. Present trials and future blessing chapter 1 christs trials chapter 2.
The prologue is a literary recapitulation of the last paragraphs of the book of luke. Luke began his book, which we call the acts of the apostles or simply acts. One branch of gnosticism, docetism dokein, to seem, taught that jesus only seemed to be physical contrast that with johna s statement in 1jo 1. In the book of the acts we see how the church of christ was formed and settled. Acts of the apostles 1, new living translation nlt the. Intro to acts biblica the international bible society.
When you read a chapter in a textbook from beginning to end, its easy to get swept away in a sea of details and overlook the main ideas. We should also understand that what peter said here was only a summary. While there are some areas of great detail of the acts of the apostles, many times you must use cross references to. An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in. In the prologue to his gospel in luke chapter 1 verses 1 through 3, luke. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. To about 120 disciples, of the need to replace judas a. Jesus sends the holy spirit to empower his disciples as they carry the good news of his kingdom to the nations of the world. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. Besides linking the gospel narratives on the one hand and the apostolic letters on the.
If youre short on time, you might not even be able to make it through the entire chapter. This would indicate it was matthew, mark, luke, or john. The most significant help in discovering the author of acts is simply recognizing this books relationship to the gospel of luke. Paragraphbyparagraph outline for the book of acts josh. When jesus showed himself alive to the disciples, how many days was he with. At that time there was great persecution against the church their adversaries having tasted blood, were the more eager.
The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. The main issues revolve around whether he is a man perhaps a greek official for whom luke acts is an apologetic for the gospel or a kind of generic. In fact, the first chapters of acts contain more that 40 references to the holy. The transition is best illustrated by peters vision in which he heard a voice. These last few weeks, weve explored the stories of the early church as told in the first few chapters of acts. Image from act one setup the first act is used to introduce the reader to the world your characters live in and to set up the coming conflict. The title of the book of acts comes from the greek word praxis, a word often. Carefully, paragraph by paragraph, the book of acts has been evaluated in the following pages. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. There is no single chapter that does not exhibit gods power and wisdom in operation.
Luke begins with a global perspective, dating the birth of jesus to the reign of the roman emperors in luke 2. The first volume, the gospel of luke, shows as luke says, all that jesus began to do and teach. How to plan your novel using the threeact structure writer. The gospel of luke is the only record that meets this condition. After the thirteenth chapter, the pronoun we indicates that the writer was a traveling companion of paul.
Chapter 10 of the book of acts covers a kaleidoscope of christian teaching in the story of the. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. A little further into this gospel, however, a very different picture begins to. There has been much debate as to the purpose of acts. See notes on 1 corinthians for a penpicture of corinth. His betrayal prophesied by the spirit through david 1 he became a guide to those who arrested jesus 2 though he was numbered with the apostles and had a part in their ministry b. This picture shows how the whole book can be divided into those three regions.
They continued to preach, and the church at antioch. Outline here is an outline of the book, from the holman illustrated bible dictionary. Choice of gentiles in the scriptural prophecies of god, vv. It is the greatest sequel ever written, the sequel of sequelsthe sequel to the story of christ see 1. Jesus had given them a mission, just as he had done twice before luke 9. The genre of the book of acts is narrative history with several sermons. The main issues revolve around whether he is a man perhaps a greek official for whom lukeacts is an apologetic for the gospel or a kind of generic. Any christian wouldve understood babylon is a symbol for rome. Oct 04, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. One may divide the book as acts 1 12 peter and acts 28 paul. Youll be able to make sure your outline isnt missing any of the major points highlighted by the author.
The book of acts is the first history of the christian church. Name from the time of the septuagint, this book has been called the acts of the apostles. Fifth book of the new testament tracing growth of early church. It is titled acts to emphasize that this book records the acts of the apostles through the work of the holy spirit. By chapter 3, they taught us to share the work, see the wound, and serve the weak. You will be my witnesses in jerusalem, and in all judea and samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Choice of israel in the sovereign purpose of god, vv. An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. A chapter bychapter bible study of the book of acts 2 acts the beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church table of contents scripture passage page 1. The portion of scripture by reading that very chapter, the fifty third of isaiah, many jews, yea, and atheists, have been converted. Watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. A chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 2 acts the beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church table of contents scripture passage page 1. Acts of the apostles, outline definition and meaning.
Mar 14, 2012 these last few weeks, weve explored the stories of the early church as told in the first few chapters of acts. To make the picture abundantly clear, god has given us a hand picked record of the activities of the early church. From there we see jesus ministry move from galilee 49, through samaria and judea 1019. The dates of the commencement and the end of the book are tolerably certain. The waiting period introduction the gospel story has a sequel.
I told you, theophilus, about everything jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the holy spirit. The initial question regards the identity of theophilus, the one for whom the book is written. Therefore, it is reasonable to include lukes purpose for acts as falling under his purpose for the book of luke. Luke began his book, which we call the acts of the apostles or simply acts, by. As was stated, acts is the second part of what was originally a twopart, single volume i. Luke had written to him before and had told him about the things that jesus did and taught. By creating an outline, youll be sifting through the. One may divide the book as acts 112 peter and acts 28 paul.
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