1. Berachah Bible Institute NT Survey I
Book of Acts

2. Introductory Matters for Acts
Author: Luke, a Gentile and close associate of the Apostle Paul and eyewitness of the events of Acts 16:11 ff. and 20 – 28. This is volume II of the work that he began with his gospel.
Date: About 62 or 63 AD.
Audience: “Theophilus,” the same man to whom wrote his gospel (Acts 1:1).
Character:
Acts picks up where Luke’s gospel left off.
It is a history of the first 30 years of the church and the work of the Holy Spirit during this time as the Gospel spreads across the Roman Empire.
It serves as a transitional book and a bridge between the Gospels and the Epistles.
The Church’s history is our history, for we stand in the ongoing stream of these first believers in Christ and His gospel.

3. Geography of Acts
Acts 1:8 but you shall 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."
8-12
1-7

4. Geography of Acts
13-28

5. Geography of Acts

6. Structure of Acts
Acts 1:8 outlines the book

7. Structure of Acts
(Saul and Peter)

8. Structure of Acts
(Saul and Peter)

9. Survey of Acts Witness in Jerusalem (1:1 – 8:3)
Christ’s ascension from Mount Olivet
Pentecost
Peter, John, and other apostles minister in Jerusalem
Stephen
Witness in Judea and Samaria (8:4 – 12:25)
Philip goes to Samaria, preaches the Gospel; his work is followed up by Peter and John, who impart the Holy Spirit
Philip continues to preach throughout Samaria
Saul is converted; Peter introduces Gospel to Gentiles
Herod steps up persecution, but the church continues to grow
Witness to the Uttermost Part of the World (13:1 – 28:31)
Paul’s three missionary journeys
Paul’s witness to the crowd in Jerusalem, trip to Caesarea
Paul’s trials before the Sanhedrin, Felix and Festus (Governors of Judea), and King Agrippa
Paul’s trip to Rome and imprisonment there

10. Acts: A Series of Progress Reports on the Spread of the Gospel
And 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 (6:7, after the appointment of deacons).
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 (9:31, when Saul was in Jerusalem after his conversion).
But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied (12:24, after the death of Herod).
So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily (16:5, after Timothy joins Paul and Silas on the second journey).
So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing (19:20, after Paul’s miraculous works at Ephesus on his third journey).
And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered (28:30-31, the end of the book).

11. Major Themes in Acts
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit and Accompanying Works of Power
The Apostolic Preaching of the Death, Resurrection, and Exaltation of Christ
The Rejection of Jesus as the Christ by Israel
The Acceptance of Jesus by the Gentiles
The Controversy over Gentile Salvation
The Transition from Israel to the Church
The Establishment and Growth of the Church

12. Purpose Statement for Acts
Luke writes to provide an authoritative account of the early history of the Church and the expansion of the Gospel across the Roman Empire by the power of the Holy Spirit.

13. Next 2 Weeks: Life of Christ