THE LIVING WORD OF GOD THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE - Chennai presents:
(Affiliated to American Theological University)
LWGTC 501 : THE NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY
LESSON FIVE : THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
UNIT- II CHURCH HISTORY

1.The Book of Acts:
Jesus said: “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”( Acts 1:8).
These are the last words of Jesus on the earth. This is called Great Commission. The Book of Acts is the story of the man and women, who took this Great Commission seriously and began to spread the news of the Risen Saviour Jesus Christ to the most remote parts of the world.

This Book contains three sections:
1-7 The witness in Jerusalem
8-12 The witness in Judea and Samaria
13-28 The witness to the end of the earth

This is the second volume in two part work by Dr. Luke. The title of the Book is : “The Acts of the Apostles”. This Book really records the acts of Peter (1-12) and of Paul (13-28).

II.The Author of Acts:
‘The former Account’ in 1:1 refers to the Gospel of Luke. He was a close travelling companion of Paul. Luke had access to the eyewitness for Chapters 13-28. It is also likely that he had opportunities to interview such key witnesses in Jerusalem as Peter and John for the information in Chapters 1-12. Luke may have used written documents as well.
The two books point to common authorship by Luke, “the beloved physician” ( Col.4:14).

III. Theme:
The triumphant spread of the Gospel by means of the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.

IV. The Time of Acts:
62 of First Century.
Acts ends with Paul awaiting trial in Rome. Acts was written after this crucial event. Acts gives no hint of the persecution under Nero (A.D.64), Paul’s death (A.D. 68), or the destruction of Jerusalem (A.D.70).

V. The Christ of Acts:
The Resurrected Saviour is the central theme of the sermons and defences in Acts. The following are the witnesses that Jesus is the Christ and Jesus is Lord:

• O.T. Scriptures,
• The Resurrection of Jesus,
• The Apostolic testimony, 2:22-36;10:34-43,
• The convicting power of the Holy Spirit,

VI. Outline of Acts:
I. Introduction (1:1-11)
II. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit (1:12-2:41)

1. Preparing for the promise (1:12-26)
2. The day of Pentecost (2:1-41)

1. Characteristics of the Early Church after the outpouring of the Spirit ( 2:42-47)
2. A Remarkable miracle and its effects ( 3:1-4:31)
3. The continuing experiment in community sharing (4:32-5:11)
4. Further healings and Persecution from the Religious establishment (5:12-42)
5. The selection of seven deacons ( 6:1-7)
6. Stephen: The first-known Christian Martyr(6:8-8:1a)

1. Christians scattered throughout Judea and Samaria (8:1b-4)
2. Philip: The Ministry of an Evangelist (8:5-40)
3. Saul of Tarsus: The conversion of the Persecutor(9:32-12:25)

1. Peter’s ministry at Lydda and Joppa (9:32-43)
2. Peter’s Mission to the Gentiles at cesarea (10:1-48)
3. Peter’s report to the Jerusalem Church and His Action Approved (11:1-18)
4. Antioch : The First Gentile Church ( 11:19-30)
5. Persecution under Herod Agrippa (12:1-23)
6. Summary of the Church’s Progress(12;24-25)

1. Paul and Barnabas commissioned by the Local Church at Antioch (13:1-3)
2. The territory Evangelized (13:4-14:28)

1. Disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (15:36-40)
2. Old Territory Revisited (15:41-16:5)
3. New Territory Evangelized (16:6-18:21)
4. Return to Syrian Antioch(18:22)

1. En Route to Ephesus (18:23-21:16)
   Parenthesis: The Ministry of Apollo (18:24-28)
2. A lengthy ministry at Ephesus (19:1-41)
3. To Macedonia, Greece, and Back to Macedonia (20:1-5)
4. Return Trip to Jerusalem (20:6-21-16)

1. A. In Jerusalem (21:17-23:35)
2. B. In Caesarea (24:1-26:32)
3. En Route to Rome ( 27:1_28;15)
4. In Rome (28:16-31).

VII. Background:
The Book of Acts is addressed to a man named “Theiphilus) (1:1). The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts point to common authorship by Luke, “the beloved physician”(Col.4:14).
The Holy Spirit prompted Luke to write a full account of the beginnings of Christianity.

1. Gospel : About Jesus life
2. Acts: About outpouring of the Holy Spirit and development of the Early Church

1. The Four Gospels
2. The Letters of Paul
   • Acts is the connecting link

VIII. Purpose of Acts:
Luke has two purposes in recounting the church’s beginnings:

1. The Gospel moved triumphantly from the narrow borders of Jerusalem into the gentile world in spite of opposition and persecution.
2. The role of the Holy Spirit in the Church’s life and Mission, emphasizing the baptism of the Holy Spirit as God’s provision for empowering the church to proclaim the Gospel and continue Jesus ministry, 2:4; 10:45-46; 19:1-7 speak about the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

IX. Keys to Acts:

• Key Word: The growth of the church
• Key Verses: Acts 1:8; 2:42-47
• Key Chapter : Acts 2

X. Special Features:
The special features of the Book of Acts are:

1. The Church: Acts reveals the church’s source of power and the true nature of it’s mission, principles govern the church in every generation.
2. The Holy Ghost or “ the Spirit”: The third person of the Trinity is mentioned specifically 50 times; the baptism in and ministry of the Spirit imparts power(1:8), Prophecy (2:17-18), boldness (4:31), holy fear of God (5:3,5:11); Wisdom (6:3,10); Guidance (16:6-10) and spiritual gifts (19:6).
3. Early Church Messages: Inspired sermons by Peter, Stephen, Paul, James and others provide insight into the early church not found elsewhere in N.T.
4. Prayer: The First Church Christians devoted themselves to regular and fervent prayer, sometimes lasting all night and producing great results.
5. Signs, Wonders and Miracles: These manifestations accompanied proclamation of the Gospel in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
6. Persecution: Proclaiming the Gospel with power consistently stirred up religious and/or secular opposition and persecution.
7. Jew/Gentile Sequence: Through out Acts the gospel first goes to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. For example, Apostle Peter first preached to the Jews in Jerusalem and the Gentiles in Cornelius’ House.
8. Women: Special mention is made of women involved in the ongoing work of the church. Examples: Tabitha, Priscilla and Others.
9. Triumph: No barriers (national, religious, cultural or racial and no opposition or persecution could thwart the advance of the Gospel as it was proclaimed by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit and at times with great signs and extra- ordinary miracles.
10. Sermons: 5 Sermons by Apostle Peter, 1 sermon by Stephen and 4 Sermons by Apostle Paul. Theme of each sermon: The life, ministry, death-burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

XI. Reading the Book of Acts:
The Book of Acts should be read in 7 days, according to the following schedule: * 1-4 * 5-8 * 9-12 * 13-16 *17-20 * 21-24 * 25-28

Review Questions ( Assignment No. 5) :
(Write two pages answer for each question) 10*10=100 Marks


1. Write the following Bible verses from your memory:
   * Acts 1:8 *Acts 3:15 *Acts 4:12 *Acts 10:38 * Acts 16:31
2. 0utline (survey) the Book of Acts
3. What are the Special Features of the Book of Acts?
4. Explain the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Acts of Apostles.
5. Explain in detail the following: One Sermon by Apostle Peter, One Sermon by Apostle Paul.
6. Explain in detail: “The Prayers in the Book of Acts”.
7. The lame man was healed; he walked, leaped and praised God (Acts 3:1-12). Explain this miracle by comparing this miracle with Newton’s three laws of motion.
8. Explain Paul’s First Missionary Journey.
9. Explain Paul’s Second Missionary Journey.
10. Explain Paul’s Third Missionary Journey.