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Themes of Acts
''To the Jew First''
Luke wraps up his book with Paul preaching under house arrest in Rome, but there is more to be discussed in Acts, particularly the important themes that underlie the book. The first of these is whom the gospel is taken to. The message of Acts is that, because Jesus was a Jew, the gospel should be presented first to Jews, then to Gentiles. Acts carries this theme throughout.
When Paul arrives in a new city, he goes to the synagogue, or Jewish house of worship, first and preaches there. The disciples also debate about whether Gentiles must convert to Judaism before becoming Christians or not. Did they have to follow Jewish laws, like eating kosher and circumcising males? This subject was the focus of the Jerusalem Council, a meeting of the apostles which - despite some disagreement - resulted in Gentiles being able to convert straight to Christianity and not follow Jewish law.
BIBLEHUB
2. SUMMARY OF THE ACTS OF APOSTLES BY CHAPTERS
Acts
Acts1: Jesus said, "You will receive the Spirit and be my witnesses." He was taken up in a cloud. The believers cast lots to replace Judas.
Acts2: At Pentecost they were filled with the Spirit. Peter told the crowd, "You crucified Jesus but God has made him Lord." 3,000 believed.
Acts3: Peter and John healed a lame man at the temple. Peter told the people, "Faith in Jesus has healed this man. Repent of your sins."
Acts4: They were taken before the rulers. Peter and John said, "We cannot stop speaking about Jesus." The believers prayed for boldness.
Acts5: Ananias and Sapphira told a lie and fell dead. An angel released the apostles from prison. Gamaliel advised, "Leave these men alone."
Acts6: The disciples chose seven men to distribute food. Some from the synagogue disputed with Stephen. They took him before the council.
Acts7: Stephen said, "Brothers, God called Abraham and appeared to Moses. You killed the Righteous One." They were enraged and stoned him.
Acts8: Philip proclaimed Christ in Samaria. A magician offered money for the gift of the Spirit. Philip baptised an Ethiopian official.
Acts9: Saul went to arrest the believers. Jesus said, "Why do you persecute me?" Saul was baptised and began preaching. Peter raised Dorcas.
Acts10: Cornelius sent for Peter. The Lord said to Peter, "Do not call them unclean." Peter preached to the Gentiles and the Spirit fell.
Acts11: Some in Jerusalem criticised Peter. He said, "The Spirit told me to go." Many in Antioch believed. Barnabas and Saul taught there.
Acts12: Herod killed James and arrested Peter. The church prayed earnestly. An angel led Peter out of prison. An angel struck Herod down.
Acts13: Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the word. Paul said, "God has sent a Saviour, Jesus, as he promised." The Jews stirred up persecution.
Acts14: Many believed at Iconium. The crowd at Lystra wanted to worship Paul, then they stoned him. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch.
Acts15: Some men taught circumcision for the Gentiles. Peter said, "God gave the Spirit with no distinction." Paul and Barnabas separated.
Acts16: Paul took Timothy with him. We baptised Lydia in Philippi. Paul was imprisoned and there was an earthquake. The jailer was baptised.
Acts17: They taught in Thessalonica and Berea. In Athens Paul said, "I proclaim the God who gives life to all. He will judge the world."
Acts18: Paul taught in Corinth for a year and a half. He went to Ephesus with Priscilla and Aquila. Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos.
Acts19: Paul laid his hands on the disciples at Ephesus to receive the Holy Spirit. Demetrius, a silversmith, started a riot in the city.
Acts20: We sailed to Troas. Paul raised Eutychus after he fell from the window. Paul encouraged the Ephesian elders to care for the flock.
Acts21: Paul was warned not to go to Jerusalem. He said, "I am ready to die." We went there and saw James. Paul was arrested in the temple.
Acts22: Paul said, "Jesus appeared to me and sent me to the Gentiles." The crowd threw dust. Paul told the tribune, "I am a Roman citizen."
Acts23: Paul caused a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees. The Jews plotted to kill him. The tribune sent him to governor Felix.
Acts24: Tertullus accused Paul before Felix. Paul said, "I simply went to worship in the temple." Felix kept Paul in prison for two years.
Acts25: Festus arrived and summoned Paul. Paul said, "I appeal to Caesar." Festus brought Paul before King Agrippa to decide the charges.
Acts26: Paul said, "I opposed the name of Jesus. He appeared to me and made me a witness." Agrippa said, "This man could have been freed."
Acts27: We set sail for Rome. A storm struck and all hope was lost. Paul said, "Take heart, we must run aground." Everyone reached land.
Acts28: On Malta Paul healed all who had diseases. We came to Rome. Paul lived under house arrest. He proclaimed the kingdom of God to all.
SOURCE: BIBLE SUMMARIES
3.
Summary Of Acts
A brief introduction and overview of the book of Acts
Click Here For Your Copy of The Bible Brief
The Bible Brief’s Acts Summary:
When:
Likely between A.D. 60-65.
Who:
Traditionally ascribed to Luke.
People & Places:
Jesus; Saul (Paul); Peter; Silas; John; Cornelius; Barnabas; Simeon; Herod; Agrippa; Festus
Jerusalem; Judea; Samaria; Athens; Corinth; Ephesus; Macedonia; Caesarea
Likely between A.D. 60-65.
Who:
Traditionally ascribed to Luke.
People & Places:
Jesus; Saul (Paul); Peter; Silas; John; Cornelius; Barnabas; Simeon; Herod; Agrippa; Festus
Jerusalem; Judea; Samaria; Athens; Corinth; Ephesus; Macedonia; Caesarea
Sound-Bites:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Ch.1:8)
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Ch.4:12)
They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Ch.16:31)
And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.” (Ch.26:29)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Ch.1:8)
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Ch.4:12)
They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Ch.16:31)
And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.” (Ch.26:29)
And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5. And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. (Ch.9:4-5)
The Messianic Link:
He is the Prince of Life in Acts 3:15
He is the Righteous One in Acts 7:52
The Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)
He is the Prince of Life in Acts 3:15
He is the Righteous One in Acts 7:52
The Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)
The Book:
The book of Acts gives us a history of the work of the early church and the Holy Spirit, within the theatre of the known world. From the empowering by the Holy Spirit in chapter 2, the early church made a great impact on all it encountered, the Apostles Peter and John playing a major role in this early work. The great persecutor of the Christians, Saul, had a tremendous conversion on the road to Damascus (Ch.9) after which he was known as Paul.
The book of Acts gives us a history of the work of the early church and the Holy Spirit, within the theatre of the known world. From the empowering by the Holy Spirit in chapter 2, the early church made a great impact on all it encountered, the Apostles Peter and John playing a major role in this early work. The great persecutor of the Christians, Saul, had a tremendous conversion on the road to Damascus (Ch.9) after which he was known as Paul.
Chapters 13 – 29 continue with the first of three missionary journeys as Paul and the Apostles/Church members spread the word in accordance with Acts 1:8; meeting the opposition of Jew and Gentile with stoicism and faith in God.
Notes & Thoughts:
The book of Acts is one of the most exciting and challenging of the New Testament, filled as it is with the works of the early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the ‘tongues of fire’ and rushing wind on the day of Pentecost (Ch.2), as well as ‘speaking in other tongues’, an outward sign and witness to the onlookers that The Lord was with them—a witnessed event that resulted in 3,000 conversions at a single meeting!
The book of Acts is one of the most exciting and challenging of the New Testament, filled as it is with the works of the early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the ‘tongues of fire’ and rushing wind on the day of Pentecost (Ch.2), as well as ‘speaking in other tongues’, an outward sign and witness to the onlookers that The Lord was with them—a witnessed event that resulted in 3,000 conversions at a single meeting!
Could it be that a large part of the problem with empty pews today is that there is nothing to see or hear in some churches that warrants a second look?
SOURCE: BIBLEBRIEF
4. The Book of Acts: Summary and Overview
by
The Book of Acts in the Bible, written around 62-63 A.D., may be best described as a history of the founding and growth of the early church. 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 happening at this time in history. The book was written by Luke, the same writer of the Gospel of Luke and you might want to think of it as a continuation and even a sequel to that Gospel.
Found as the 5th book in the New Testament, the Book of Acts can best be split into two parts; the first part dealing with the home church and its mission and the last concentrating on foreign missions. The book begins with the Ascension of Jesus and goes on through Paul’s jail time in Rome, which opens his ministry to the church at Rome. 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. Here is a summary and overview of the Book of Acts.
At Home in Jerusalem
Peter and his mission to the Jews is the main focus in this first part of the Book of Acts.
Key Verses at the Beginning of this Missionary Work:
The Great Commission from Jesus
Acts 1:4–8 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 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.
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
Acts 1:10–11 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Pentecost
Acts 2:1–4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Power for Boldness
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Peter steps out in faith and boldly preaches Jesus as the Christ to the Jews.
- At Pentecost (Acts 2:14-40)
- His second sermon which speaks of the Patriarchs and the fulfillment of the promise of a Deliverer through Jesus (Acts 3:12-26)
- Deacons appointed (Acts 6:1-6)
- Deacon Stephen preaches, rebuking the Jews for their unbelief and is stoned to death (Acts 7:1-60)
- Church persecution at the hand of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 8:1-3)
- Philip, Peter and John preach to the Samaritans (Acts 8:5-25)
- Philip shares the gospel with the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40)
Foreign Missions
A pivotal point in the Book of Acts is when Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul) meets Jesus on the road to Damascus and is converted. Philip, Peter and John’s ministry to the Samaritans as well as Peter’s vision at Joppa made it clear that they needed to take the gospel to the Gentiles and confirms that the Holy Spirit is leading them to broaden the mission field.
- The conversion of Paul (Acts 9:1-30)
- Peter’s vision is confirmed by the offer of salvation to the Gentiles (Acts 10:1-44)
- Barnabas is sent to Antioch by the elders at Jerusalem (Acts 11:22-24)
- Paul joins Barnabas in Antioch and they establish the church where followers of Jesus where first called Christians (Acts 11:25-26)
- The church at Jerusalem is persecuted by Herod, James is put to death and Peter is imprisoned and miraculously freed from prison (Acts 12:1-19)
- More about the first foreign missionary journeys:
- Paul’s first missionary journey, joined by Barnabas & John Mark (Acts 13:4-14:26)
- The Council at Jerusalem – Does the Law of Moses apply to the Gentiles? (Acts 15:5-30)
- Paul’s second missionary journey, Silas chosen to go with Paul (Acts 15:36-18:22)
- Paul’s third missionary journey (Acts 18:23-21:15)
- Paul returns to Jerusalem to share about his mission; he is confronted by various groups and is sent to Caesarea to escape a plan by the Jews to kill him (Acts 21:18-23:33)
- Paul defends his belief in Christ (Acts 24:1-26:29)
- Paul’s voyage to Rome as a prisoner and his ministry there (Acts 27:1-28:31)
Something more to read: Bible Verses from the Book of Luke
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, King James Version. Photo rendered from Logos Bible Software 6.0 Visual Copy.
Read more: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/the-book-of-acts-summary-and-overview/#ixzz5pUYK37lB
SOURCE:whatchristianswanttoknow
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