As i said, the book revolves around the apostles, peter and paul. But stephen reminded the jews that god was bigger than any temple. The following books may be helpful, but are not as essential as the previous materials. Acts syllabus and course overview ministry development. Book discussion club a group of people who meet to discuss a book or books that they have read. Luke wrote the book of acts and the gospel of luke and he dedicated his work to a man named theophilus as mentioned in the summary of the book of luke. The book of acts bible study christianity oasis ministry has provided you with the book of acts bible study on the book of acts bible study events. The new testament without acts leaves a great, yawning gap. The book of acts tells how the multiethnic, international church grew. Dec 19, 2012 if you look at acts, youll notice that the first section covers peter acts 112 and the second section covers paul acts 28. Please take all courses in order as listed on our home page the computer will ask. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. Acts concerns the very vital period in christian history between the resurrection of jesus and the death of the apostle paul, the time when christian ideas and beliefs.
May 02, 2020 the book of acts shows how god essentially took a group of fisherman and commoners and used them to turn the world upside down acts 17. Without this historical record, little would be known about the expansion of the church. It serves as a transition between the gospels and the epistles. The letters or epistles after acts tells us of the supreme care and guidance that god has for his people then, now, and in the future.
Acts 1 niv jesus taken up into heaven in my bible gateway. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. Through the book of acts, youll notice that both apostles perform miracles through the power of the spirit, see visions, suffer, preach powerfully, and were imprisoned and later miraculously set free. The acts of the apostles often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth. Acts furnishes a ladder on which to place the epistles. Acts 1 niv bible in my former book, theophilus, i wrote.
In the latter portion of acts, luke recorded three rejections of the jews to pauls overtures of salvation. There are commentaries, and there are books on preachingbut very few books that are specifically geared to the preacher or bible teacher tackling a series on a bible book or doctrinal theme. The book of acts is a vital link between the gospels and the epistles. The purpose of the book of acts is governed by the jews response to peter and paul. If the book of acts were gone, there would be nothing to replace it the last recorded fact about jesus in the gospel of matthew is the resurrection. A history of the early church gene taylor2an outline of the book i. One may divide the book as acts 112 peter and acts 28 paul. Acts 1 niv jesus taken up into heaven bible gateway. The tradition from the earliest days of the church has been that luke, a companion of the apostle paul, wrote the books of luke and acts colossians 4.
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. It provides us with a contextual reference for the letters we will read following. For assurance of our own salvation, we can compare our own conversion experience with those in acts. The main issues revolve around whether he is a man perhaps a greek official for whom luke acts is an apologetic for the gospel or a kind of generic. If the book of acts were gone, there would be nothing to replace it howson. When he does, record the verse number, what it is he seems to be saying to you and your response to him in this final step.
Luke records many examples of conversion in the book of acts e. This the book of acts bible study on the book of acts bible study verses looks at the book of acts bible study stories and asks what is the book of acts bible study about, who is in the book of acts bible study stories, why is the book. He may not speak to you through every verse, but he will speak. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. The initial question regards the identity of theophilus, the one for whom the book is written.
The book also provides a bridge between the gospels and the epistles that will come later. Luke recorded three rejections by the jews to peter and the apostles associated with him to the message of repentance and proclamation of the kingdom. Acts 1 new international version niv jesus taken up into heaven. Stephen said some words from the book by the prophet isaiah isaiah 66. Read acts prayerfully, objectively, thoughtfully, and attentively as you listen for god to speak. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. Leaf a single sheet, the lefthand page of which is the verso, and righthand page is the recto. The new testament without the book of acts leaves a great yawning gap. This course encounters the major changes in gods relationship with the world and his people in this key transitional book of the bible.
When the holy spirit overpowered the upper room with the sound like a roaring windstorm, history changed forever. This title accurately reflects the contents of the book, which is a series of vignettes chronicling the lives of key apostles especially peter and paul in. Although students are encouraged to build their own personal library by keeping their books, the crossing will develop a library of helpful texts and recommended readings for our attendees. In fact, the work is given in detail of only two of the apostles, peter and paul. The acts of the apostles, fifth book of the new testament, a valuable history of the. In volume ii acts he told the story of the words and works of christ that were done through his apostles. Peter serves as the leader of the apostles and the. Class books family creation courses indepth articles brief topics religions ebooks commentaries book of acts course a instructions. If the book was just before or after pauls release, then it was likely written around 63 a. 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. A third purpose in the writing of acts was to provide stability to the new faith. 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. The book of acts, which continues the narrative that luke began in his gospel, is especially important because it was the first written history of the christian church. Unlocking the book of acts for the bible teacher 9781845502553 by david cook.
Whether you are a preacher, a small group leader or youth worker, these books will give you the necessary tools for teaching. Timeline of the book of acts dates reference events books written historical events roman emperors c. Book of acts read, study bible verses online bible study tools. T he book of acts in the bible, written around 6263 a. Purpose of the book as indicated previously, the original purpose of both the gospel and acts may have been to assist. A basic overview of the structure for the book of acts. God took a christianhating murderer and transformed him into historys greatest christian evangelist, the author of almost half the books of the new testament. If you have not done all the lessons of previous courses, please click here to go to the beginning. The book is called acts or the acts of the apostles because it contains an account of some of the apostles.
As indicated previously, the original purpose of both the gospel and acts may have been to assist theophilus in some official capacity in learning about jesus and. The preparation of the leaders of the jerusalem church for the gentile mission 11. Paragraphbyparagraph outline for the book of acts josh. Jesus had shown himself alive by many proofs for 40 days. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt.
This summary of the book of acts provides information about the title. A second purpose in writing acts was to give a written defense of christianity. 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. The introduction of acts and the book of luke help us to determine the author of acts. The title of the book of acts comes from the greek word praxis, a word often used in early christian literature to describe the great deeds of the apostles or other significant believers. An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. Luke was a companion of paul on his missionary journeys, and in many parts of the book of acts it says we did this or that acts 16. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. 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. The book of acts tells us of some of the acts of some of the apostles, but more so it tells us history. Bibliophilia the love of books and a bibliophile is an individual who loves and frequently reads books. Acts was written in greek, presumably by the evangelist luke, whose gospel. Acts of the apostles 4 imprisonment in rome are 6062 a.
We read of the evangelistic methods and message of the early apostles and preachers 3. The life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. Acts is a bridge between the gospels and the epistles. Among its 27 books are selected recollections of the life and acts and sayings. Spirit is central to the book beginning on pentecost acts 2. People from many nations were beside themselves with wonder at hearing gods amazing acts in their own languages. Paper a material that easily absorbs ink, made from ground plant cellulose parchment a heavier alternative to paper, often made of. Intro to acts biblica the international bible society. This makes sense on an intuitive level because every story comes in three parts with a beginning, middle, and ending. It is a bridge between the gospels and the epistles. The book of acts, also called acts of the apostles, does not specifically identify its author. The book of acts is the only historical record of the birth and early days following christs establishing his church. Book collecting the collecting of books, including seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloging, displaying, storing and.
Between luke and acts, the two books make up a quarter of the new testament. Jesus followers received the holy spirit on pentecost and became filled and equipped to spread the good news that would restore gods. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. There has been much debate as to the purpose of acts. Besides linking the gospel narratives on the one hand and the apostolic letters on. 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.
Here is a summary and overview of the book of acts. Act one makes up 25% of a storyline, with act two taking up 50% and act three the final 25%. We use your linkedin profile and activity data to personalize ads and to show you more relevant ads. It also may be divided around the expansion of the gospel in acts 1. Key features of books in this series are introductory chapters, suggestions for the bible teacher working a text into sermon or talk, suggested preachingteaching outline, and a. Outline studies in the book of the acts of the apostles. If you look at acts, youll notice that the first section covers peter acts 112 and the second section covers paul acts 28. Acts begins with jesuss charge to the twelve apostles to spread the gospel throughout the world. Acts concerns the very vital period in christian history between the resurrection of jesus and the death of the apostle paul, the time when christian ideas and beliefs were. Trace the major sections of the book, consider the purpose and historical context of the book and study the major events in acts of the apostles, early church and the holy spirit. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes two.
One reason for concluding both books came from the same author is that both. Class books family creation courses indepth articles brief topics religions e books commentaries book of acts course a instructions. The book of acts is a key part of gods plan to reach the whole world. One of the earliest manuscripts, the codex sinaiticus, gives as the title the simple word acts, with no mention of the apostles. It tells of cities and dates and people that were affected by the gospel. The book of acts introduction the book of acts is a unique book in the new testament. Both the books of luke and acts are addressed to the most excellent theophilus. 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. Acts agrees with pauls letters on the major outline of pauls career.
An analysis of professor walkers 2001 presentation. The authorship of acts is ascribed to luke for these reasons. Commentary on the book of acts bible study notes and comments by david e. Carefully, paragraph by paragraph, the book of acts has been evaluated in the following pages. Page one side of a leaf of paper ink a type of pigment used to write letters upon the pages of a book. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy english.
Acts of the apostles executable outline study resources. The temple in this book called acts was the third temple. Author although the author does not name himself, evidence outside the scriptures and inferences from the book itself lead to the conclusion that the. Each paragraph in the esv translation of acts has been evaluated and a factual statement about its content was recorded in one sentence. Nothing is known about this individual but an individual he is.