The title given to this book is usually ‘The Acts of the Apostles’, however from the opening verses we should call it ‘The continuing Acts of Jesus From Heaven’
Author & Date
From the opening verses we see that Acts was written by the same person who wrote the third gospel. This is accepted as being Luke the beloved physician ( Lk.1-4; Col.4:14; II Tim.4:11) Luke finishes his account when Paul was at Rome and had spent two years there. Luke never mentions Paul’s first appearance before Nero (II Tim.4:16), as Paul did in his letter to Timothy, let alone his martyrdom. So we can conclude that Acts was written c. AD 62.
Outline
Witnesses unto Jesus
A. In Jerusalem Ch.1-7
- Preparation Ch.1
- Pentecost Ch.2
- Power Ch.3
- Prison Ch. 4
- Perception Ch.5
- Problems Ch.6
- Price of true faith Ch.7
B. In Judea & Samaria Ch.8:1-25
- The Gospel going North Ch.8:1-25
C. To the uttermost parts of the earth Ch.8:26-24:31
- The Gospel going South (Ethiopia) Ch.8:26-40
- The Gospel going East (Damascus)Ch. 9
- The Gospel going West (Cornelius) Ch. 10-12
- Paul’s journeyings Ch. 13-28
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- 1st JourneyCh.13-14
- 2nd. Journey Ch. 15-18:22
- 3rd. Journey Ch. 18:23-21:17
- Arrest and to Rome Ch.21:18 – 28
Notes
a. Key verse
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1: