Acts 1:1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach …

Acts Author Date Reader Portrait Purpose Luke the doctor AD 60s Theophilus Head of church Four-fold objective

Purposes of Acts Historical As a master historian, Luke set out to write an orderly and authoritative account of the early church.

Purposes of Acts Apologetic Historical Luke wants to calm Roman persecution by showing Chris- tians as law- biding citizens.

Purposes of Acts Theological Historical Apologetic Luke uses history to teach doctrine about Christ, the church and the Spirit.

Purposes of Acts Missionary Historical Apologetic Theological Jesus carries out his mission to redeem the world by the Holy Spirit working thru the church.

Key Verse: Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

The FORM of Acts Peter Paul Acts can be divided according to its two main characters Peter Paul 1:1 13:1 28:31

The FORM of Acts Acts can be divided on the basis of its three mission fields Jerusalem Ends of Earth Judea & Samaria 1:1 7:1 10:1 28:31

The FORM of Acts The best way to divide Acts is on the basis of five summaries Luke includes: Sum: 6:7 Sum: 9:31 Sum: 12:24 Sum: 16:5 Sum 19:20

Acts 6:7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. This is the summary conclusion of the Jerusalem phase of the progress of the gospel. The gospel has established a firm foothold in Jerusalem and is ready for the next phase. The next verse introduces Stephen, who is the bridge to the next phase of the mission of Christ, the gospel going to the Samaritans.

Acts 9:31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. Again, the next phase of the mission of Christ and the progress of the gospel is summarize. We are left with a picture of a solid, established, growing church in Judea, Galilee and Samaria. The next verse introduces Peter’s itinerant ministry and sets the scene for the Lord’s call of him to evangelize the household of Cornelius, which is the beginning point of the Gentile mission. Notice that there is great uncertainty in Peter and the other Christian leaders about whether or not Gentiles can be included in the church simply by believing in Christ. This stage is a tentative foray into unchartered waters.

Acts 12:24-25 But the word of God continued to grow and to be multiplied. The first Gentile converts have been reached and the first Gentile church have been planted. This summary sets the scene for the commencement of the first full-scale Gentile mission. This begins when the Holy Spirit commissions Paul and Barnabas to go to the nations (13:1-4)

Acts 16:5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Acts 19:20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

The FORM of Acts God-fearers Jews only Samaritans Nations Gentiles Rome! Gentiles Sum: 9:31 Sum: 6:7 Sum: 12:24 Sum: 16:5 Sum 19:20

The FEATURES of Acts The power of the Holy Spirit The persecution of the church The prayers of the saints The preaching of the gospel