The Acts of the Apostles Overview
Format: Transition from the Gospels to the Birth of the Church
Key Words: “Witness” “Spirit” found 60 times
Themes: Holy Spirit, salvation, faith, being a witness
The official title of the book is The Acts of the Apostles even though the shortened title is just Acts.
The book is called The Acts of the Apostles because after Jesus’ death the disciples who had been with Him for three years continued the works, deeds or acts they had been taught to do. These men are now called apostles instead of disciples because a disciple is one who sits at another’s feet to be taught. The apostles are now doing the teaching instead of being taught themselves. They are the ones who are sent.
About the Author
-- Luke was a physician.
-- He was the only Gentile writer of the entire Bible. All the other writers were Jews.
-- Luke was not a disciple or a witness to the life of Jesus. His knowledge comes from information he compiled from the other gospel writers.
-- Luke is not only the writer of Acts, but he is also part of the book. For instance, he is Paul’s companion in the latter part of Acts. Luke loved the seas and sailing. Therefore, there are long negative accounts about sailing along with Paul on the missionary journeys.
Purpose of The Acts of the Apostles
-- Acts is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke. Luke wrote it to the Gentiles just as he wrote the Gospel of Luke to the Gentiles.
-- According to Acts 1:1, the book is addressed to Theophilus whose name means “lover of God.”
-- Luke wrote the book as a historian to tell what happened after Jesus’ resurrection and how the church got started.
-- Acts is the only book in the Bible that gives the history of the birth of the church.
Divisions of Acts Based on Acts 1:8
Section 1
Chapters 1-7
Jerusalem
Jews
Peter
Power of Church
Covers 2 Years
Section 2
Chapters 8-12
Judea and Samaria
Samaritans
Philip
Expansion of Church
Covers 13 Years
Section 3
Chapters 13-28
End of the Earth
Gentiles
Paul
Paul’s 3 Missionary Journeys
Covers 14 Years
Things to Remember About Acts
-- Acts is the only book written by a Gentile writer.
-- Acts is the bridge between the ministry of Jesus and the ministry of Paul.
-- The events of Acts cover 29 years. See from the chart above the primary person was in each section of Acts.
-- Jesus’ last words recorded words are in Acts 1:8 before His ascension. His next recorded words are in the last chapter of Revelation. If you are using a red-letter Bible, you will see that He speaks in Revelation 22:7, 12-13, 16, and the very last time in Revelation 22:20, which is next to the last verse in the Bible.
-- The Book of Acts records the first sermons in the Bible. Peter preached the first sermon in Act 2 when 3,000 people were saved. These 3,000 men are paralleled to the 3,000 people in Korah’s family who died in Exodus after they complained about Moses’ leadership. (See Exodus 32:28).
-- Learn Acts 1:8 and be able to identify how the gospel evangelism should take place.
Things to Notice in the Book of Acts
Firsts in Acts
• First sermons
• First called Christians
• First martyr
• First Gentile convert
Lasts in Acts
• Last time gambling was used
• Last time Jesus spoke until Revelation 22
People to get to know in Acts
• Peter
• Philip
• Stephen
• Matthias
• Ananias and Sapphira
• Cornelius
• Barnabas
Questions Based on the Overview
1. Why is the book called The Acts of the Apostles?
2. What is the transition between Luke’s gospel and the Book of Acts?
3. Review the information about how the Book of Acts is divided and who dominates each section. Remember this as you study the chapters.
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