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Overview of Acts Lesson 1

e Book of Acts

Overview 

Lesson 1 

Acts of the Apostles: 

  • Fifth book of the New Testament; written by Luke, a companion of the Apostle Paul.
  • Acts records the activity of the early church as it expanded geographically from Jerusalem to Rome.
  • The book covers events from the ascension of Jesus (AD 30) to the early ministry of Paul in Rome (AD 62).
  • Acts bridges the canonical gap between the Gospels (the life of Christ) and the Letters (life within the Church).
  • Acts” refers to the deeds or actions of several of the leaders of the early church.
    • Peter and John, Paul and Barnabas

 

Theme: 

  • The power of the Holy Spirit
  • The missionary journeys of Paul
  • Jewish and Gentile welcome of the gospel
  • The Church and its mission.

 

A Journey through the Early Church:

  1. We will explore the birth and growth of the early Christian church.
    1. Led by the apostles.
      1. Fueled by the Holy Spirit.
    2. We will uncover some powerful lessons.
      1. Watch how God preforms miracles.
      2. See how the early believers faced challenges of this “new religion”.
      3. We discover how this “Acts” continue to inspire us today.
      4. How these lessons guide in the life of the church and in our personal walk with God.

 

How it impacts the rest of scripture: 

  • The Apostle Paul wrote 13 books of the New Testament.

1. Romans

2. 1 Corinthians

3. 2 Corinthians

4. Galatians

5. Ephesians

6. Philippians

7. Colossians

8. 1 Thessalonians

9. 2 Thessalonians

10. 1 Timothy

11. 2 Timothy

12. Titus

13. Philemon

  • Books 1-9 are cities that are part of the missionary journey Paul embarked on.
  • Books 10-13 are some his disciples he gave instructions too.

 

Outline. 

  1. The Birth of the Church (Acts 1-2)
    1. Jesus prepares the disciples.
      1. Famous Acts 1:8
      2. Jesus ascends to the heavenly throne.
    2. Pentecost.
      1. We will witness the momentous events of Pentecost.
      2. See the Holy Spirit descended and fill the church.
  2. Bold Witnesses for Christ (Acts 3-5)
    1. The Witness in Jerusalem
      1. We see the apostles' courage as they heal the lame, face persecution, and stand firm in their faith.
      2. The Christian community shares a life in common.
      3. Peter preaches.
      4. Peter and John share the gospel.
  3. The Witness beyond Jerusalem. (Acts 6-12)
    1. Deacons
    2. Stephens murder by Saul.
    3. Phillips witness to the eunuch.
    4. The Conversion of Saul.
    5. Saul encounters Christ on the road to Damascus
    6. Peter preaches in the coastal towns.
    7. Conversion of Cornelius
    8. The Antioch church witnesses to Gentiles.
    9. The offering for Jerusalem
    10. The Jerusalem church is persecuted.
      1. The death of James
      2. Peter’s deliverance from prison
  1. The Witness in Cyprus and Southern Galatia (Acts 13-14)
    1. The first missionary journeys.
  2. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)
    1. The first church split
  3. The Witness in Greece (Acts 16-18)
    1. The second missionary journey.
  4. The Witness in Ephesus (Acts 18-21)
    1. The third missionary journey.
  5. The Arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 21-23)
    1. Chaos in the streets.
  6. The Witness in Caesarea (Acts 24-26)
  7. The Witness in Rome (Acts 27-28)