Book of Acts: Overview

Book of Acts: Overview

Hymn 517: 1, 4, 7, 11, 12, 13,15, 19, 21, 26, 27, 3

Author: St. Luke – the first church “historian”. It is the second volume of his work for Theophilus (1:1). Following the methodology of careful investigation, he composes the story that picks up at the same place where the Gospel of Luke ended up – Ascension.

Timeline: from Ascension of Jesus to Paul’s first two years in Rome.

Main characters:

Jesus, Holy Spirit, Peter, James, Paul, John Mark (gospel writer), Barnabas, Luke, Stephan, Dorcas, Lydia, Felix, Agrippa etc.  

Main themes: The reign of Ascended Christ reaching the ends of the earth: 

·       Who is the real rule – question to Sanhedrin, and the rulers.

·       The leadership of the church, Peter and Paul.

·       Fellowship of Jews and Gentiles.

Structure: Based on the 1:8 there can be set a geographical structure of Acts

Jerusalem: ch. 1 – 7

“Judea”: 8 – 15 (coming back to Jerusalem)

“Samaria”: 16 – 22:29 (coming back to Jerusalem)

Ends of the earth: 22:30 – 28 (toward Rome)

The Book of Acts as the New conquest of Joshua

Joshua	Action	Acts
1 – 2	Preparation	1
3 – 5	Conquering the city	2 – 4
7	Hiding gifts of God	5
9	Introduction of a new ministry	6
10	Attack on the new ministry	7
10:29-43	Conquering the South	8
11	Conquering the North	10 – 11

 

Overall chiastic structure of the Book of Acts (source is here):  

1. A. 1:1-11, Ascension of Jesus, [1:3, the Kingdom of God]

2.  B. 1:12-26, Mathias chosen to replace Judas, [1:18, Punishments against sinners]

3.   C. 2:1-13, The coming of the Holy Spirit, [27:14, Fierce wind]

4.    D. 2:14-39, Peter addresses the crowd, [Preaching]

5.     E. 2:40-47, Life among the believers, [righteousness of the believers]

6.      F. 3:1-4:4, Peter heals a crippled beggar, [3:14, accusation of innocent]

7.       G. 4:5-22, Peter and John before the council, [Apology]

8.        H. 4:23-31, The believers pray for boldness, [4:26, Conspiracy]

9.         I. 4:32-37, Believers share their possessions, [4:33, witness to the resurrection]

10.        J. 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira, [5:2, donation]

11.         K. 5:12-42, The apostles are persecuted, [5:18, arrest of apostles]

12.          L. 6:1-7, Seven are chosen to serve, [6:3, selection of ministers]

13.           M. 6:8-7:60, Stephen’s speech to the council, [7:60, death]

14.            N. 8:1-3, Saul persecutes the church, [8:1, the church expands to Israel]

15.             O. 8:4-25, Philip preaches in Samaria, [Simon’s conversion, the end of magic]

16.              P. 8:26-40, Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, [8:29, Instruction of mission]

17.               Q. 9:1-22, The conversion of Saul, [Conversion/Repentance]

18.                R. 9:23-31, Saul in Jerusalem, [9:25, Saul escapes]

19.                 S. 9:32-43, Peter in Lydda and Joppa, [9:34, Miracles of apostles]

20.                  T. 10:1-23, A vision of Cornelius, [10:3, calling through vision]

21.                   U. 10:24-48, Peter goes to the house of Cornelius, [10:45, Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit]

22.                    V. 11:1-18, Peter’s report to the church at Jerusalem, [11:4, reports of gentile mission]

23.                     W. 11:19-24, Barnabas goes to Antioch, [11:20, mission to the Gentiles]

24.                      X. 11:25-30, The church in Antioch, [11:30, Barnabas and Saul are sent]

25.                       Y. 12:1-24, Peter is delivered from prison

26.                      X’. 12:25-13:13, Barnabas and Saul are commissioned, [13:2, Barnabas and Saul are sent]

27.                     W’. 13:14-49, Paul and Barnabas in Antioch and Pisidia, [13:46, mission to the Gentiles]

28.                    V’. 13:50-14:28, Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe, [14:27, reports of gentile mission]

29.                   U’. 15:1-16:5, Council at Jerusalem, [15:8, Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit]

30.                  T’. 16:6-10, Paul’s vision of the man of Macedonia, [16:9, calling through vision]

31.                 S’. 16:11-40, Paul and Silas in Prison, [16:18, Miracles of apostles]

32.                R’. 17:1-15, The uproar in Thessalonica, [17:10, Saul escapes]

33.               Q’. 17:16-34, Paul in Athens, [17:30, Conversion/Repentance]

34.              P’. 18:1-23, Paul in Corinth, [18:9, Instruction of mission]

35.             O’. 18:24-19:20, Paul in Ephesus, [19:19, the end of magic]

36.            N’. 19:21-20:2, The riot in Ephesus [19:26, the church expands to Asia]

37.           M’. 20:3-14, Paul’s farewell visit to Troas, [20:9, death]

38.          L’. 20:15-38, The voyage from Troas to Miletus, [20:28, selection of ministers]

39.         K’. 21:1-17, Paul goes to Jerusalem, [21:11, arrest of apostles]

40.        J’. 21:18-26, Paul visits James in Jerusalem, [21:24, donation]

41.        I’. 22:27-23:10 Paul tells of his conversion, [23:6, witness to the resurrection]

42.       H’. 23:11-35, The plot to kill Paul, [23:12, Conspiracy]

43.      G’. 24:1-26, Paul before Felix at Caesarea, [Apology]

44.      F’. 24:27-25:12, Paul appeals to the emperor, [25:7, accusation of innocent]

45.     E’. 25:13-22, Festus consults king Agrippa, [25:18, righteousness of the believers]

46.    D’. 25:23-26:32, Paul defends himself before Agrippa, [Preaching]

47.   C’. 27:1-44, The storm at sea [27:14, Fierce wind]

48.  B’. 28:1-15, Paul on the island of Malta, [28:4, Punishments against sinners]

49. A’. 28:16-31, Paul preaches in Rome, [28:31, the Kingdom of God]