Survey of Acts 1-14 The establishment of the church & the spread of the gospel into all the world

I. General information

Book of History The book of Acts gives the historical background for the rest of the N.T.

Author Luke A companion of Paul and a physician Acts is a continuation of the gospel of Luke

To whom written For all men everywhere

Why it was written “The book of Acts begins where the gospel left off at the resurrection and ascension of Jesus into heaven. It takes up the story there and shows the establishment of the Kingdom (the church) and its growth.

It is often called ‘the book of conversions’ because it shows how people in the first century became Christians”. – Windell Gann

Outstanding features of the book “The last recorded words of Jesus prior to His ascension back to Heaven are recorded in the Book of Acts. Through the first 12 chapters the major character is Peter. Through the final 16 chapters the major character is Paul.” (Donnie Barnes)

“The two main topics of Acts are: (1) the establishment of the church, and (2) how to become a Christian (Frank J. Dunn)

Acts is “an instruction manual providing us with the necessary details of the work, worship and government of the church”

Brief outline Acts 1:8 I.Beginning in Jerusalem 1-7 II.Into Judea and Samaria 8-12 III.To the ends of the earth 13-28

II. Survey of the book

Acts 1 Ascension of Christ, Selection of Matthias 13

Acts 1:9 - The ascension of Christ [9] And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Acts 2 Holy Spirit came, establishment of the church on Pentecost Day 15

Acts 2:47 – the birth of the church [47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 3 Healing of the lame man, Peter’s speech on Solomon’s porch 17

Acts 3:6 – The lame man healed by the power of God [6] Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Acts 4 Peter and John put in prison, liberality of Barnabas 19

Acts 4:3 – Peter & John arrested for preaching the gospel 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. (NKJV)

Acts 5 Ananias and Sapphira, boldness of Peter 21

Acts 5:2 – Ananias & Sapphira lie and die – all things are known to God 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 6 Selection of 7 to serve, Jews accuse Stephen of blasphemy 23

Acts 6:3 – Seven servants selected – all Christians are servants [3] Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Acts 7 Stephen’s speech, Saul of Tarsus leads in killing Stephen 25

Acts 7:59 – Stoning of Stephen [59] And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

2 Tim. 3:12 [12] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Acts 8 Persecution causes the church to spread, Philip in Samaria, the Eunuch 28

Acts 8:36 – The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch - men need to follow his example of obedience [36] And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

Acts 9 Conversion of Saul, Peter raises Dorcas from the dead 30

Acts 9:16 – Conversion of Saul – from persecutor to persecuted [16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Acts 10 Conversion of Cornelius, Gentiles equal (Rom. 2:11) 32

Acts 10:1-2 – Conversion of Cornelius – he was eager to hear the word of God [1] There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, [2] A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

Acts 11 Peter defends his preaching to Gentiles (Acts 10), famine in Judea 34

Acts 11:26 – They were first called Christians in Antioch [26] And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Christian – one who belongs to Christ God gave this name to the disciples

Acts 12 James killed by Herod, Peter put in prison, miraculous escape from prison 37

Acts 12:2-3 – Death of James [2] And he (Herod Agrippa I) killed James the brother of John with the sword. [3] And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

Gal. 1:10 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Acts 13 Paul and Barnabas on first journey, Elymas the Sorcerer, speech in Antioch of Pisidia 40

Acts 13:2 – The first missionary journey – they leave from Antioch [2] As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Acts 1:8 [8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 14 Preaching the gospel in Lystra and Derbe, healing the lame man, Paul stoned 43

Acts 14:26-27 – First Missionary journey – they return to Antioch [26] And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. [27] And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

Conclusion Acts 2:40 40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. (ASV)