1. Overview of the Book of Acts

2. Overview of the Book of Acts
Author: Luke the physician
Place written: Likely written from Rome
When: 63 A.D. based on the fact that Acts ends abruptly with Paul under house arrest awaiting trial in Rome.
Written to: Your Excellency Theophilus, who is thought to be a high ranking government official and believer. The name means “God lover”.
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

3. Overview of the Book of Acts
Purpose
To record the establishment and early growth of the church
Give examples of conversions to the gospel of Christ
Reveal the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the apostles and the early church
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

4. Overview of the Book of Acts
Theme
The book begins in Jerusalem and ends at Rome. It describes the establishment and growth of the church throughout the Mediterranean world through the work of the apostles and other Christians under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

5. Overview of the Book of Acts
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.”
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

6. Overview of the Book of Acts
What is the duty of a witness?
To state that which is true.
What does it mean to be a witness of Christ?
Confess by words or by way of life that one is a child of God and the Lord Jesus is his personal Savior
Confess that one is a member of God’s kingdom here on earth.
Confess that there is only one saving faith and that God has only one kingdom
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

7. Overview of the Book of Acts
Basic Outline
I. Witnesses in Jerusalem
II. Witnesses in Judea and Samaria
III. Witnesses unto the end of the earth
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

8. Overview of the Book of Acts
I. Witnesses in Jerusalem (1:1-8:3)
Early Happenings (1:1-26)
Introduction to the book (1:1-3)
The promise of the Spirit (1:4-8)
Jesus ascension into heaven (1:9-11)
Awaiting the Spirit (1:12-14)
The selection of Mathias (1:16-26)
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

9. Overview of the Book of Acts
Establishment of the church(2:1-47)
Outpouring of the Spirit
Reaction of the crowd
Explanation by Peter
First gospel sermon (Peter)
Conversion of 3000 souls
Establishing the early New Testament church
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

10. Overview of the Book of Acts
The church in Jerusalem (3:1-8:3)
Healing of the lame man; Peter’s second sermon
Persecution and church freedom
Battling within the church; increasing persecution without
Matters resolved within; persecution intensifies
Stephens confession of faith and martyrdom
Saul persecutes the church
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

11. Witnesses in Judea and Samaria
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

12. Overview of the Book of Acts
II. Witnesses in Judea and Samaria (8:4-12:25)
The preaching of Philip (8:4-40)
Conversion of the Samaritans
Conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch
The conversion of Saul (9:1-31)
Saul blinded on the road to Damascus; hears the voice of Jesus
Conversion and baptism of Saul by Ananias
Saul becomes Paul and begins the work of the Spirt
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

13. Overview of the Book of Acts
Miracles performed through Peter (9:32-43)
Healing of Aeneas
Raising of Dorcas from the dead
The conversion of Cornelius (10:1-11:19)
As recorded by Luke
As told by Peter
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

14. Overview of the Book of Acts
The ministry of Barnabas, Saul and Peter (11:19-12:25)
Barnabas and Paul at Antioch
Barnabas and Paul in Judea
Persecution by Herod; James is beheaded, Peter is arrested
Peter freed from prison by an angel; Herod dies
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

15. Paul’s First Missionary Trip
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

16. Paul’s First Missionary Trip
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

17. Overview of the Book of Acts
III. Witnesses unto the end of the earth (13:1-28:31)
The first missionary journey of Paul (13:1-14:28)
Departure from Antioch of Syria
Mission work on island of Cyprus
Mission work in Antioch of Pisidia
Mission work and persecution in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe
Confirmation of churches and appointment of elders
Return trip to Antioch
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

18. Overview of the Book of Acts
The issue of circumcision and the law (15:1-35)
A problem surfaces in Antioch
Resolution of problem in Jerusalem
Letter delivered to Antioch
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

19. Paul’s Second Missionary Trip
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

20. Paul’s Second Missionary Trip
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

21. Overview of the Book of Acts
The second missionary journey of Paul (15:36-18:22)
Paul and Barnabas separate
Timothy joins Paul
Paul’s dream of a Macedonia man calling him
Conversion of Lydia in Phillippi
Conversion of the Philippian jailor
Mission work in Thessalonica, Berea, Athens
Paul spends a year and a half in Corinth
Paul travels back to Antioch
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

22. Paul’s Third Missionary Trip
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

23. Paul’s Third Missionary Trip
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

24. Overview of the Book of Acts
The third missionary journey of Paul (18:23-21:17)
Strengthening the disciples in Galatia and Phrygia
Apollos converted through Aquila and Priscilla
Three years in Ephesus, ending in riot
Trip through Macedonia, three months in Greece, return through Macedonia
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

25. Overview of the Book of Acts
Third missionary trip continued
Breaking of bread and miracle at Troas; heading back to Jerusalem
Meeting with the Ephesian elders at Miletus
Warnings about going to Jerusalem; brief stay in Tyre and Caesarea
Arrival in Jerusalem
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

26. Overview of the Book of Acts
The arrest of Paul and journey to Rome (21:18-28:31)
Arrest of Paul in the temple
Defense by Paul to the Jewish mob
Defense by Paul before the Sanhedrin council
Plot against Paul and deliverance to Felix
Appearance before Festus and appeal to Caesar
Defense before Festus and King Agrippa
Journey to Rome; shipwreck along the way
Explanation of Paul to the leaders of the Jews in Rome
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

27. Overview of the Book of Acts
Review questions
Who wrote the book of Acts?
What is it’s theme?
What does it mean to be a witness of Christ?
How is the gospel spread?
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004

28. Overview of the Book of Acts
Other topics from the book of Acts to be covered in later lessons
Ascension Day
Pentecost Day
Martyrdom of Stephen and Persecution
Conversion of Ethiopian Eunuch
Apostles Peter and John
Conversion of Cornelius
Conversion of Saul
Paul’s missionary trips
ILLC Adult Bible Class September 2004