5. Acts

   

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5. ACTS

I. OUTLINE-BRIEF

1. Introduction. 1:1-26.

2. Work in Jerusalem. 2:1-8:3.

3. In Judea and Samaria. 8:4-12:24.

4. Paul's Work. 12:25-28:31.

II. OUTLINE-COMPLETE

1. Jerusalem to Antioch. 1:1-12:25.

A. Days of Expectation. 1:1-26.

B. Birth of the Church. 2:1-47.

C. Church at Jerusalem. 3:1-5:42.

D. Greek Christianity. 6:1-8:40.

E. Conversion of Saul. 9:1-31.

F. To the Gentiles. 9:32-11:30.

G. Persecution under Herod. 12:1-25.

2 Antioch to Rome. 13:1-28:31.

A. First Mission. 13:1-14:28.

B. Gentile Controversy. 15:1-41.

C. Mission to Europe. 16:1-18:17.

D. Mission to Asia. 18:18-19:41.

E. Visit to Macedonia. 20:1-4.

F. Return to Jerusalem. 20:5-21:26.

G. Paul the Prisoner. 21:27-28:31.

III. AUTHORSHIP

1. Luke wrote the book of Acts, probably at Rome, about A.D. 90. He died just before finishing Acts. (See Urantia Book (1342.3) 121:8.8.)

2. Luke was from Antioch of Pisidia.

3. He was a companion of Paul for several years-his private physician.

4. Paul refers to Luke as one of his fellow workers. Philemon v. 24.

5. The latter portion of Acts-the "we" sections-was based on Luke's diary.

6. The abrupt ending of Acts is explained by the author's death. Just how much is missing from what was planned, we will never know.

7. We have no knowledge as to when and by whose influence Luke became a Christian.

IV. LOOKING AT ACTS

1. Like the Gospel of Luke, Acts is a superb literary production.

2. Without Acts, we would know very little concerning the early days of Christianity.

3. Luke's book of Acts helps us to understand the real difference between the religion of Jesus and the religion about Jesus.

4. Like Luke, Acts shows sympathy for the poor and antipathy for the rich, along with the sanctity of "stewardship."

5. Luke is greatly interested in women's part in gospel work.

6. The fullest account of the ascension of Jesus is found in Acts.

7. As in Luke, so in Acts the author always shows special interest in all things having a health or medical aspect.

8. Luke shows great interest in Paul-as a person-but neither Luke nor Acts reflects any interest in Paul's epistles.

9. Luke was a physician and Christian historian-not a theologian.

V. SELECTED TEXTS

1. Jesus' ascension. "As they were looking on he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight...behold, two men stood by them...and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'" 1:9-11.

2. Coming of the Comforter. "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place...And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." 2:1,4.

3. Speaking with tongues. "And they were amazed and wondered, saying, 'Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?'" 2:7,8.

4. Gift of the Spirit. "'Having received from the lather the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear.'" 2:33.

5. Three thousand baptized. "Those who received his ward were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls." 2:41.

6. The message. "'Repent, therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the lord.'" 3:19.

7. Another harvest of souls. "Many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to about five thousand." 4:4.

8. The saving name. "'And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.'" 4:12.

9. All things in common. "The company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common." 4:32.

10. Falsehood of Ananias. "When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear came upon all who heard of it." 5:5.

11. Peter's healing shadow. "They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them." 5:15.

12. Angel opens the prison. "An angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out." 5:19.

13. Gamaliel's advice. "'I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan...is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You Bright even be found opposing God!'" 5:38,39.

14. Stoning Stephen. "As they were stoning Stephen* he prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'" 7:59.

15. Saul consents. "And Saul was consenting to his death." 8:1.

16. Philip and the eunuch. "They both went down into the water...and he baptized him...the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more." 8:38,39.

17. Saul' s conversion. "And he...heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'" 9:4,5.

18. Saul begins his work. "But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ." 9:22.

19. Barnabas fellowships Paul. "When he had come to Jerusalem...they were all afraid of him...But Barnabas...brought him to the apostles." 9:26,27.

20. Peter raises Dorcas. "But Peter...knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, '...rise.' And she opened her eyes." 9:40.

21. The keynote. "'How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were op-pressed by the devil, for God was with him.'" 10:38.

22. First called Christians. "In Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.'" 11:26.

23. Herod's persecutions. "Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword." 12:1,2.

24. Angel liberates Peter. "An angel of the lord...woke him, saying, 'Get up quickly.' And the chains fell off his hands," 12:7.

25. Ordination of Paul and Barnabas. "The Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'" 13:2.

26. Healing the cripple. "There was a man...who had never walked...And Paul... said...'Stand upright on your feet.' And he sprang up and walked. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying...' The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!'" 14:8-11.

27. Paul stoned. "They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead." 14:19.

28. James frees the Gentiles. "'My judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God.'" 15:19.

29. The Macedonian call. "A vision appeared to Paul...a man..saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.'" 16:9.

30. The jail opens. "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying...and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the..prison...doors were opened and every one's fetters were unfastened." 16;25,26.

31. Turning the world upside down. "'These men who have turned the world up-side down have come here also.'" 17:6.

32. Aquila and Friscilla. "He stayed with them, and they worked, for by trade they were tentmakers," 18:3.

33. The aagic "hankies." "God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his

body to the sick, and diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them." 19:11,12.

34. Converted magicians. "Those who practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver." 19:19.

35. Breaking bread. "On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them." 20:70.

36. Paul appeals to Caesar. "'I appeal to Caesar.'" 25:11.

37. Festus calls Paul mad. "Festus said...'Paul, you are mad; your great learning is turning you mad.'" 26:24.

38. Agrippa and Paul. "Agrippa said to Paul, 'In a short time you think to make me a Christian!'" 26:28.

39. Paul and the viper. "When a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand...He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm." 28:3,5.

40. Some freedom at Rome. "When we came to Borne, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him." 28:16.

41. Two years at Rome. "And he lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him." 28:30.