Acts of the Apostles Acts of the Holy

• Acts of the Apostles • Acts of the Holy Spirit • Acts of Jesus • Acts of the Church • Acts of the Sent Ones

An Overview � Several ways to outline/divide the Book � 2 Major Divisions – By Central Personality � Peter’s Mission � Paul’s Mission � Chapters 1 -12 Chapters 13 -28 3 Divisions – By Great Commission Geography � Jerusalem � Judea, Samaria, Galilee � Uttermost parts of World Chapters 1 - 7 Chapters 8 - 10 Chapters 11 - 28

Acts 1: 8 But you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Luke’s Natural Divisions � Summary Statements given at the end of each of six sections � Acts 6: 7 � Acts 9: 31 � Acts 12: 24 � Acts 16: 4 � Acts 19: 20 � Acts 28: 28

Acts 1: 1 – 6: 7 The Jewish Church � � � The primitive church in Jerusalem Early preaching – Markets, synagogue, temple Common life – House churches Rapid growth Opposition – from Jewish leaders Section ends with dispute between “Hellenists” and “Hebrews” leading to appointment of 7 deacons The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. Acts 6: 7

Acts 6: 8 – 9: 31 Expansion into Judea and Samaria � � � The “Hellenists” were Greek speaking, Jewish, Christians Stephen, one of the Seven is martyred, beginning the great persecution and “diaspora” or scattering out of believers from the city of Jerusalem The persecution led by Saul, who is converted and is called by Jesus to lead the Gentile expansion of the Church So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria 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 increase. Acts 9: 31

Acts 9: 32 – 12: 24 The Gentiles Receive Salvation � The Conversion of Cornelius A sovereign work of God through Peter (The leader of the Jewish believers) � Keys of the Kingdom “Binding & Loosing” Matt 16: 19 � Household (Oikos) Evangelism � � The Church at Antioch � � � Began preaching to the Greeks Barnabas sent from Jerusalem “witnessed the Grace of God” Peter’s Miraculous deliverance from Prison But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied. Acts 12: 24

Acts 12: 25 – 16: 5 The Holy Spirit said… � The Antioch church moves in gifts of the Spirit � � Prophets and Teachers Multicultural – Jews, Greeks, Africans � Paul and Barnabas sent out 1 st Missionary journey � Jewish opposition to Gentile conversion � � Attempt to place Levitical law as requirement Jerusalem council Paul and Barnabas separate, Paul takes Silas on 2 nd Journey Paul takes Timothy as protoge So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily. Acts 16: 5

� � � � Acts 16: 6 – 19: 20 The Gospel to Asia Minor and Europe Continued rejection by the Jews Rapid acceptance among Gentiles The Holy Spirit of Jesus leads them The Macedonian Call Paul & Silas Imprisoned – Miraculous deliverance Conversion of Philippian Jailer – 2 nd occurance of “Oikos” evangelism Paul’s great sermon at Mars Hill – Athens The Churches of Asia Minor So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing. Acts 19: 20

Acts 19: 21 – 28: 30 Paul’s Destiny at Rome � � Paul seems driven to make it to Rome First he must return to Jerusalem His journey takes many twists and turns He is tried 3 times and found innocent of any wrongdoing: Imprisoned 2 years by Governor Felix � Re-tried by new Governor Festus � Before King Agrippa – Appeals to Caesar � � Shipwrecked on the way to Rome “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen. ” … And he stayed two full years…preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered. Acts 28: 28, 30 -31