An overview of the book of acts, which provides an introduction to the apostles and gives a brief summary of the leaders, peter and paul, as well as the other apostles. This book of acts bible study pamphlet shows that god is active. 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. In acts, jesus sends the holy spirit to empower his disciples as they carry. Introduction, background, and outline to philippians. Focusing too much on background details so that it obscures the meaning of the text. Bible study of acts join us for an inspiring study on the.
The book of acts mentions about 100 individuals by name. It is stamped with his style and contains more autobiographical material than. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way. The outline is based on the theme verse of the book of acts. Was christianity attractive to the socially disenfranchised.
The book of acts ends abruptly with pauls imprisonment in rome. This fantastic bible study pamphlet provides loads of information at a glance. Over the centuries it has been called simply acts, or the acts eusebius. Acts 2 background information with maps and images picture. Outline romans esv study bible author and title as the opening words of the letter indicate, the apostle paul wrote the book of romans. It is worth noting that in this history of the early christian church, luke. In the book of acts, we discover how gods multiethnic, international church grew through persecution and missionary journeys throughout the world. This summary of the book of acts provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of acts. Intro to acts biblica the international bible society. The authorship of acts is ascribed to luke for these reasons. When we study an epistle, such as the book of james, we can usually find more background information about the audience and sometimes about the authors interaction with the audience in the book of acts. Author although the author does not name himself, evidence outside the scriptures and inferences from the book itself lead to the conclusion that the. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for.
A simple outline of the book can be formulated on the basis of jesus statement at acts 1. And corresponding to this, the book of acts reaches its conclusion with the apostle pauls journey toward rome, beginning with his arrest, trial and suffering, and concluding with his victorious proclamation of the gospel of christ in the capital city of the worlds imperial power. The book certainly does not tell all the acts of all the apostles. Acts of the apostles a study of new testament history overview introduction. This summary of the book of 2 corinthians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 2 corinthians. It makes reference to about 100 geographical places including regions, provinces, cities, and islands around or near the mediterranean sea. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. 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. As i said, the book revolves around the apostles, peter and paul. The title of the book indicates that the letter was written to the christian churches in rome. A history of the early church gene taylor2an outline of the book i. The inscription of the acts of the apostles probably reaches back to the.
Includes lessons about the kingdom of christ, church organization and worship, examples of conversion, the nature and purpose of miracles, and the work of. Study basics about bible books, people, dates, places, and content, and take webbased selftests. The niv study bible biblica the international bible society. With the establishment of deacons, peter led the hebrew believers and stephen the greek believers. A bible study lesson series about the beginning of christianity as revealed in the book of the acts of the apostles.
The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. The book of acts tells how the multiethnic, international. Rather, the focus is clearly on some of the acts or deeds of mostly peter the key figure in the first half and paul the key figure in the second. The book is called acts or the acts of the apostles because it contains an account of some of the apostles. A background study can explain elements that are not clear. The book is most commonly called the acts of the apostles, although it is quite probable that, in its original form, it had no title at all. Where appropriate, such as in pauls letters to the churches, it describes the original recipients of a book and the city in which they lived. Acts is clearly on some of the acts or deeds of mostly peter. Read the short background information for acts below. How does the historical setting help us understand acts. Sermonarys bible background series is designed to help pastors and teachers study the setting and details behind every book in the bible. In 356 bce, however, philip ii of macedon, the father of. The purpose of lukeacts may be ecclesiastical or apologetic. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries.
A background study can help communicate the force of what is being. Although the author does not name himself, evidence outside the scriptures and inferences from the book itself lead to the conclusion that the author was luke. Several questions can be answered from the first 2 verses. Do a background study observe passage interpret meaning apply truth 25. Though sauls persecution scattered believers from jerusalem, peter, with the other apostles, remained behind. In the history of art, the most thorough set of paintings from acts are. We find this important background information on the book of james in acts 8. In these next few lessons, were are going to be diving into some background material for acts. Acts is the only biblical book that chronicles the history of the church immediately after jesuss ascension. In fact, its beginnings go back to the fourth century bce when it was occupied by the thracians. The beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church a chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 6 acts 1 50 days 1. An ancient prologue to lukes gospel indicates that luke was first a follower of the apostles and then became close with paul. Was the church being persecuted when the book of acts was written. Bible study of acts join us for an inspiring study on.
You will see how the early church grew from a tiny jewish sect after the death and resurrection of jesus into a multiethnic community that spread throughout the ancient world to the ends of the earth. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. Many scholars have proposed many different outlines for the book of acts. Navigate deeper into the acts of the apostles with rose publishings 14page bible study resource, the book of acts. Joshua jipp walks through the story of the early church as narrated in the book of acts. Outline studies in the book of the acts of the apostles. The background of acts third millennium ministries. Study guide for acts 14 by david guzik blue letter bible.
Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. Hopefully, youve had a chance to complete the suggested assignments in our bible study of acts orientation. 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. Acts ends abruptly with paul imprisoned in rome, waiting to bring his appeal before caesar. 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.
Introduction to the book of acts acts study guide medium. Luke described to theophilus in his first letter about jesus life up to the resurrection. While it may be tempting to skip ahead and dive right in to studying the passages in. The book of acts is a vital link between the gospels and the epistles. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Luke even began to speak in the first person plural in the latter portion of acts, as he traveled the roman empire alongside paul acts 16. Some have suggested that a better title might be the acts of the holy spirit. Jesus had shown himself alive by many proofs for 40 days. Like all scripture, the book of acts was inspired by the holy spirit. We read of the evangelistic methods and message of the early apostles and preachers 3. There has been much debate as to the purpose of acts. In fact, the work is given in detail of only two of the apostles, peter and paul. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section.
If you want to know what the book of acts is about, it is acts 1. A small investment in your personal study library will yield rich dividends as you seek to know gods word. As it is expected, the book of acts has a similar literary style as the gospel of luke because it is the second volume of lukes account. The city was already ancient by the time paul arrived there around 49 ce acts 16. Each packet in this series contains important background information on a specific biblical booksuch as authorship, date, setting, and book outlines gleamed from sources that are both rich and tested. Acts and historical narrative, at luther seminarys bible tutor. Nov 08, 2012 an overview of the book of acts, which provides an introduction to the apostles and gives a brief summary of the leaders, peter and paul, as well as the other apostles. Archaeological findings support the accuracy of lukes account. The initial question regards the identity of theophilus, the one for whom the book is written. Only a few scholars in history have doubted his authorship, and their doubts have been shown to be groundless. This versebyverse bible study and commentary of the acts of the apostles the book of acts or simply acts is indepth but uses plain language that everyone can understand, as well as a format that will engage you.
Acts 1 background information with maps and images picture. Keep a notebook handy with pencil to jot down questions, ideas and applications as you study acts. A third purpose in the writing of acts was to provide stability to the new faith. 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. The life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. There are different ways to divide the book of acts.
The significance of acts as a historical account of christian origins cannot be overestimated. Acts is designed to trace the spread of the gospel from jerusalem to antioch to rome. One may divide the book as acts 112 peter and acts 28 paul. A short threelecture survey of the background and contents of the book of acts in partnership with third millennium ministries the gospel coalition exists to equip the next generation of believers, pastors, and church leaders to shape life and ministry around the gospel. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Acts syllabus and course overview ministry development. As such, it provides us with a valuable account of how the church was able to grow and spread out from jerusalem into the rest of the roman empire. Includes lessons about the kingdom of christ, church organization and worship, examples of conversion, the nature and purpose of miracles, and the work of the holy spirit. In volume ii acts he told the story of the words and works of christ that were done through his apostles. He was active in the book of acts, and he is active in our lives today. As we approach the book of acts, we must always keep in mind that luke wrote out of his background in the old testament and first century beliefs about the kingdom of god in christ.
In only three decades, a small group of frightened believers in jerusalem transformed. Watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The books of acts is often called the book of the holy spirit or the book of the apostles. Acts was read as a reliable history of the early church well into the postreformation era. Read an introduction to the book of acts in a study bible, bible dictionary or onevolume commentary you can check out my bible study tools page for some of my best recommendations. A second purpose in writing acts was to give a written defense of christianity. Introduction to the book of acts study resources blue letter bible. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. For assurance of our own salvation, we can compare our own conversion experience with those in acts. Share with a person who will keep you accountable and pray for you. It details the books background and purpose, explores themes and theological significance, and points out special problems and distinctive literary features. For ecclesiastical purpose, it may have been written in order to edify the church, serving as a history. It also may be divided around the expansion of the gospel in acts 1.
The book of acts ends just as it begins, emphasizing the apostles role as those who expanded gods kingdom on earth, through their proclamation. The city of philippi, as one can see from the map, is located in north eastern greece macedonia. It might also be called the acts of the holy spirit, as that person of the godhead is very much an active participant throughout the book. It tells of the founding of the church, the spread of the gospel, the beginnings of congregations, and evangelistic efforts in the apostolic pattern. Acts intro to acts biblica the international bible society.