Timeline of the book of acts dates reference events books written historical events roman emperors c. Acts of the apostles bible study notes, commentary, and comments. The consensus of scholars puts the date of acts between 6580 ad. One of the earliest manuscripts, the codex sinaiticus, gives as the title the simple word acts, with no mention of the apostles. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. He shows us how god is working and speaking in this story and our own stories. The genre of the book of acts is narrative history with several sermons. The book of acts is focused on gods mission, as god draws people into his orbit and brings. Acts of the apostles 3 acts of the apostles introduction author commonly called the acts of the apostles, it is simply titled acts in some of the oldest manuscripts.
The waiting period introduction the gospel story has a sequel. If luke, pauls companion wrote the book, then we are looking at a fairly early date around 65 ad. The preparation of the leaders of the jerusalem church for the gentile mission 11. John chrysostom found it repletewith christian wisdom and sound doctrine to guide believers. Introduction to the book of acts acts study guide medium. He departs from a careful analysis of apostles experiences in jerusalem. The other text in the series is the pauline letters 20 also by daniel j. The book of acts covers approximately 33 years from the ascension of jesus to the time when paul had been in prison in rome for two years see chart on the chronology of the book of acts. The book of acts is an important book for understanding the actions of the apostles, mostly paul and peter, after jesuss ascension into heaven. T he book of acts in the bible, written around 6263 a.
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. We read of the evangelistic methods and message of the early apostles and preachers 3. Luke acts makes up 28% of the new testamentmore than that written by either paul or john. Without this historical record, little would be known about the expansion of the church. We will after the first of the year actually begin a verse by verse study of the book of acts. This sermon series was prepared back in the late 1980s. A simple outline of the book can be formulated on the basis of jesus statement at acts 1. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can hardly be overestimated, for without it we would have no record of the beginnings and development of the early church. Drane, introducing the bible, 2nd edition fortress press, 2011, sample syllabus syllabus for introduction to the bible for a 14week semester n. Since the book of acts is the continuation of the gospel account of all jesus began to do and teach, it catalogs. Paragraphbyparagraph outline for the book of acts josh.
It is the longest gospel if one goes by content rather than chapters. A chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 5 first ten years. Bible book outlines here you can find outlines for every book of the bible, including an extra, more detailed outline for 2 chronicles. Both were written by luke, a physician who traveled with the apostle paul. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. The gospel of luke the gospel of luke holds a number of distinctions. Acts of the apostles executable outline study resources. Luke is the writer, as he states in his introduction v. It shows how the holy spirit worked through the apostles of jesus in the life of the early church.
The gospel of luke records what jesus began both to do and teach in his human body, and the book of acts tells us what jesus continued to do and teach through his spiritual body, the church. The authorship of acts is ascribed to luke for these reasons. One reason for concluding both books came from the. Study of acts discussion notes chapter 9 introduction in chapter 9 of acts, luke begins to give a broader view of what is taking place in the new testament church. The preaching of the gospel of jesus and his kingdom b. It has also been shown to be a book that is accurate historically. Introduction to the book the promise of the spirit act 1. From his chapter on baptism in acts, beasleymurray wrote. The books of acts is often called the book of the holy spirit or the book of the apostles. Well try to put the book of acts in context to prepare us to take on the text. 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. It is titled acts to emphasize that this book records the acts of. One reason for concluding both books came from the same author is that both.
Our contributors explore the book of acts as a theological treasure that can engage and shape our discipleship today. We compiled this curriculum with several objectives in mind. 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. The book begins with the ascension of jesus and goes on through pauls jail time in rome, which opens his ministry to the church at rome. This is, in effect, an outline of the book of acts see page 8 plan and outline. This study guide was developed in preparation for teaching adult bible classes. The book of acts is a vital link between the gospels and the epistles. Each paragraph in the esv translation of acts has been evaluated and a factual statement about its content was recorded in one sentence.
The outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Here is a summary and overview of the book of acts. There are different ways to divide the book of acts. It would be an enriching experience to read them together, as acts gives the history of the founding of. Many have pointed out apparent discrepancies between pauls biographical notes in his hauptbriefe and other secure epistles with the. The book of acts was written within the lifetime of most of the eyewitnesses of the life, death and resurrection of jesus christ. Many scholars assume acts was written then because it does not record pauls defense, release, and further gospel preaching. Chapterbychapter bible studies acts kathleendalton. Kruschwitz the acts of the apostles is a hidden treasure in the new testament.
Title as the second book luke addressed to theophilus see luke 1. It is intended to help you better understand some of the background and issues in lukes second volume. The book of acts is also the account of the work of the holy spirit in and through the church. Intro to acts biblica the international bible society. Syllabus for introduction to the bible for a 14week semester. Luke, the author of the gospel of luke, was a doctor and gentile. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. Many have used lukes gospel to introduce people to jesus christ. 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. The greek manuscripts title it acts, and many add of the apostles.
Here are some of the key themes that luke highlights for. Authorship of actsluke is the author of the book acts. Luke is uniformly identified as the author acts by the second century a. The dating of acts is largely determined by the author. As far as looking at an introduction to acts, i have found that the niv study bible, if any of you have a copy, has excellent notes on the introduction to acts. It contains the largest amount of unique material among the synoptic gospels. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons.
The new testament without acts leaves a great, yawning gap. The book of acts ends with paul in prison in rome, so luke. Im not sure exactly which sunday marching into january, but we will do that. Jesus in the gospels and acts is clearly written and will.
Luke had written to him before and had told him about the things that jesus did and taught. Pastors and students alike will find this survey of christian theology and doctrine a practical and accessible resource with both breadth and substance. Bible book as a foundation for further study, teaching, or preaching. Introduction welcome to the book of acts, an excerpt from foundations 2. May 15, 2005 introduction to the book of acts the book we know as the acts of the apostles has also been, probably more accurately called the acts of the holy spirit through the apostles. Acts forms an indispensable link between the accounts of jesus life gospels and his disciples interpretation, preaching, and application of his acts and words in the letters of the new testament. For assurance of our own salvation, we can compare our own conversion experience with those in acts. In what acts did the early church continue steadfastly in. The book of acts furnishes a ladder on which to place the epistles. One cannot read this book and deny the power of it. Acts is a bridge between the gospels and the epistles. Introducing christian doctrine is an abridged, less technical version of millard j. Also the great missionary commission, which appears in all four gospels, is confirmed in the book of acts.
Although the author does not identify himself by name, scholars have ascribed the authorship of gospel of luke and the book of acts to luke, the companion of paul. Rapid evangelism resulting in the establishment of local churches. There is a conjunction between three elements as the gospel goes forth. Mantey, a manual grammar of the greek new testament, new york. He was also the author of its companion work, the gospel of luke.
The lord jesus christ at work by the holy spirit through the apostles in jerusalem, chapters 1 7 a. The book of acts provides a detailed, orderly, eyewitness account of the birth and growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel immediately after the resurrection of jesus christ. Acts continues from there on starting with christs resurrection. Spirit is central to the book beginning on pentecost acts 2. Since the first three verses of this chapter give an excellent summary of the points. The signs and preaching at samaria which resulted in the conversion of the samaritans and simon.
The book is called acts or the acts of the apostles because it contains an account of some of the apostles. The book of acts is unique because it is the only book of church history in the new testament. In the gospels we have the newly established church of the lord in the epistles we have many firmly grounded churches. The outlines convey the content of the book with great detail and full thoughts so that one sees clearly how the biblical text both flows and divides. The lord jesus christ at work by the holy spirit through the apostles human instrumentalities. Throughout the syllabus, material appearing in blue are suggestions for instructors. 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 everyman since the name means lover of god. This would indicate it was matthew, mark, luke, or john. In acts, jesus sends the holy spirit to empower his disciples as they carry. This is the story of christianitys beginnings and how evangelism played. It might appropriately be called some of the acts of some of the apostles since it does not try to describe all of the acts of all the apostles.
Pdf versions of past issue contents, and encourage them to request. Besides linking the gospel narratives on the one hand and the apostolic letters on the. If the book of acts is a transition from the kingdom to the church, the book of revelation is a transition from the church back to the kingdom. It is the greatest sequel ever written, the sequel of sequelsthe sequel to the story of christ see 1. We have been praying that this study of gods word will draw you closer to him and give your children the spiritual foundations they need for life. The objectives for each section are usually things. Like the first edition of jesus in the gospels and acts, this edi tion does not supplant the gospels and acts but complements them.
In this book we see the first mention of the dispensation of the holy spirit and jesus command to take his gospel to all the world. Acts furnishes a ladder on which to place the epistles. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. As john would have seen these heresies first hand, he determined to write an account of the life of christ that illustrated proof that jesus was the son of god and that he was god in the flesh, deity. Outline studies in the book of the acts of the apostles. It is an important book in understanding how we can be directed by the holy spirit and the role of jesus lessons in our lives. While acts is a record of history, luke weaves many theological themes into these stories to teach us about god and his mission. As it is expected, the book of acts has a similar literary style as the gospel of luke because it is the second volume of lukes account. Luke described to theophilus in his first letter about jesus life up to the resurrection. This commentary is based upon my personal devotional notes and reflections on the book of acts. Today begins a study of the book of acts in this daily bible study series. Commonly called the acts of the apostles, it is simply titled acts in some of the oldest manuscripts. It is the only gospel that is linked to another book, i. In fact, the work is given in detail of only two of the apostles, peter and paul.
The book of acts is the only historical record of the birth and early days following christs establishing his church. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. Doughty southside christian church january 2014 introduction. The acts of the apostles church leadership resources. Paul came in contact with twelve of these individuals in acts 19. Acts ends with paul under house arrest, awaiting trial before caesar, c. Archeological research has greatly strengthened the historical credibility of. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. In the absence of overwhelming evidence, we will refer to author of acts as luke, pauls companion.
Preparation for the coming of the spirit, chapter 1 1. Acts of the apostles introduction title commonly called the acts of the apostles, it is simply titled acts in some of the oldest manuscripts. A commentary on the acts of the apostles by pastor galen l. Luke records many examples of conversion in the book of acts e. The events described in acts occurred over a period of about 30 years about a.
Luke was with paul when he reached rome, and there paul wrote the prison epistles. Acts of the apostles, written by the author of the third gospel luke, begins after jesus death and describes the spread of the christianity throughout the roman empire, primarily through the missionary activity of the apostle paul. Its narrative supplies a bridge connecting the life and ministry of jesus to the life of the church and the witness of the earliest believers. Without the book of acts, our knowledge of the early history of the church would be limited to the small amount provided by the new testament epistles. Bradd words in boldboldbold and underlined are the answers to the blanks on the acts study guides acts 1 the book of acts was written by luke to a man named theophilus. Get unlimited access to the best stories on medium and support. Clearly, the author ofthe book of luke is also the one who penned the book of acts. The book of acts sermon outlines this material is from, a web site containing sermon outlines and bible studies by mark a. The power of the holy spirit to perform signs and wonders to confirm the preaching of the word c. The book of acts, sometimes called the fifth gospel, is a continuation of the gospel of luke.