The Book of Acts

1. The Book of Acts Alpha & Omega Christian Worship Center Sunday School

2. Background • Written by Luke as the follow-on to the Gospel of Luke • Written to Theophilus or “Lover of God” • Date 63 A.D. • Acts is both History and theology • It is really the “Acts” of the Holy Spirit • Chronicles the spread of the Gospel • Bridges the Gospels and the Epistles • This new church grew through a pattern of conflict followed by membership

3. The Letters of Apostle Paul The Book of Acts (Luke) First Missionary Journey Galatia Second Missionary Journey Macedonia Achaia Greece Third Missionary Journey Asia First Roman Imprisonment Rome Second Roman Imprisonment and death Rome 4th missionary journey 2 Timothy Place: Rome Steadfast Christian Living 1 Corinthians Place: Ephesus Problem Solving Ephesians Place: Rome Unity in Christ 1 Thessalonians Place: Corinth The Coming of Christ 1 Timothy Place: Macedonia Addressing False Doctrine 2 Corinthians Place: Ephesus Apostleship Defended Colossians Place: Rome False Teachings Titus Place: Macedonia Proper Relationships 2 Thessalonians Place: Corinth Prepare for The Day of the Lord Philemon Place: Rome Restoration of a Slave brother Galatians Place: Antioch Freedom in Christ Romans Place: Corinth Doctrine of Salvation Philippians Place: Rome Joyous Living

5. Introduction(Ch 1) • The Ascension • The Promise of the Holy Spirit • The Apostles Commissioned or given authority and Power to be witnesses • The Upper Room • On “One Accord” – used over 11 times in the Book of Acts. • Matthias chosen to replace Judas as 12th Apostle. This was important to fulfill Matthew 19:28 and Revelations 21:14 • Marked distinction between original 12 Apostles and Church age apostles (Eph 4:11)

6. The Ministry of Peter (Ch 2:1 – 12:25) • Spread of the Gospel in Jerusalem (ch 2:1 – 8:4) • Pentecost (ch 2) • Peter’s Sermons (ch 2) • Peter & John Arrested for proclaiming the Name (ch 3 &4) • Ananias and Sapphira lying to the Holy Spirit (ch 5) • The Apostles 2nd Arrest and Gamaliel’s Counsel (ch 5) • Choosing the Seven Grecian Deacons (ch 6) • Stephen’s Arrest, Defense and Martyrdom (ch 7) • Testified how Israel had rebelled against God and resisted the Holy Spirit

7. The Ministry of Peter (Ch 2:1 – 12:25) • Spread of the Gospel to Samaria (ch 8:5 – 9:31) • Saul Persecutes the Church (ch 8) • Simon the Sorcerer’s Sin (ch 8) • Philip in Samaria and the Ethiopian Eunuch (ch 8) • Saul’s Conversion (ch 9) • Spread of the Gospel to Judea (ch 9:32 – 12:25) • Peter’s ministry in Judea and the Vision of Cornelius (ch 10) • The Gospel is Preached to the Gentiles in Caesarea (ch 10) • Contention in Jerusalem over Gentiles (ch 11) • The Church at Antioch (ch 11) • Peter’s Arrest and Deliverance (ch 12) • Herod’s violence to the Church and death (ch12)

8. Paul’s Expansion of the Church (Ch 13 – 28) • 1st missionary Journey (ch 13 – 14) • The Holy Spirit Set apart Saul and Barnabas (ch 13) • Confronted with Sorcery in Cyprus • Saul becomes known as Paul • Preaches in Synagogue in Pisidia • Paul turns to the Gentiles • Opposition and stoning in Lystra • The Jerusalem Conference (ch 15) • Circumcision and the Gentiles • James’ Ruling and letter to the Gentiles

10. Paul’s Expansion of the Church (Ch 13 – 28) • Paul and Silas – 2nd Missionary Journey (ch 15-18) • Contention with Barnabas over John Mark • Paul chooses Silas • Vision in Macedonia • Confronts spirit of divination • Paul and Silas Imprisoned and Jailer Converted • Paul in Thessalonica, Berea and Athens • Sermon on Mars Hill • Paul in Corinth

12. Paul’s Expansion of the Church (Ch 13 – 28) • Paul and Silas – 3rd Missionary Journey • Paul in Ephesus (ch 19) • Miracles and uproar in Ephesus (ch 19) • Paul in Macedonia and Greece (ch 20) • Paul

14. Paul’s Expansion of the Church (Ch 13 – 28) • Paul takes the Gospel to Rome • Arrested in Jerusalem • Speaks to the Sanhedrin • Goes to Caesarea • Speaks to Felix and imprisoned for two years • Speaks to Festus • Speaks to Agrippa and Bernice • Sails to Rome