An Outline For The Book Of Acts In The Bible

The main theme of Acts seems to be centered around:

· The relationship of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they were presented on the day of Pentecost

· The miracles performed by the apostles

· The confirmation of the truth of Christianity

· The Gentiles confirmation of admission to the Church of Christ

· Jesus Christ the anointed Messiah

The contents of Acts give reference to important Biblical figures such as:

· Philip

· Barnabas

· James

· Stephen

· Peter

· Paul

The importance of the Book of Acts lies in:

· The spreading of Christianity

· Paul's arrival in Rome to preach the Gospel

· A record of the continuation of that which Jesus began

· Great transition took place as to Jews, Gentiles joining in fellowship

· Beginnings of missionary work

· Definite patterns for church life and growth

· The Great Commission found in Acts 1:8 (but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth)

An Outline to the Book of Acts:

I. Jerusalem and Christianity 1:1-8:3

A. Jesus is risen 1:1-26

1. The Lord Confirms the Spirit, John baptized with water Christ with the Holy Spirit

2. The Lord commissions the Gospel to be preached through all the world

3. The choosing of the apostles, the drawing of lots.

B. Pentecost 2:1-47

1. The day of Pentecost came like a roaring wind

2. Peter's great sermon

3. Peter reviews the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus

4. The effects of Pentecost, repentance, a changing of one's mind leading to the Lord God, baptism and forgiveness

5. Breaking of bread, the Lord's supper

C. The lame man healed 3:1-26

1. A miracle in the ninth hour

2. The name of Jesus Christ all power and authority

3. Peter's message to the people about the miracle

D. Persecution begins 4:1-5:42

1. Persecution of the Christians

2. A prayer of thanksgiving

3. The Holy Spirit

4. The provision of the Spirit

5. Cleansing from within

6. Putting to the test

7. Cleansing from without

E. Choosing of fellow believers and the Martyring of Stephen 6:1 - 8:3

1. The people are stirred by the wonders and signs

2. False witnesses put against God's people

3. Stephen's sermon, longest recorded in book of Acts

4. Stephen is stoned

II. Spread of Christianity 8:4 - 12:25

A. The Christians are scattered 8:4 -40

1. Philip preaching in Samaria

2. Philip preached on the Gaza road

B. Paul is converted 9:1 -31

1. Paul's conversion is recounted

2. Jesus identified by Paul

3. The effects of Paul's conversion

C. Gentiles converted 9:32 - 11:30

1. Peter's preparation to come to Joppa

2. Peter's preaching

3. The falling of the Holy Spirit upon all

4. Peter pleas with the people

5. The Antioch church replaced the Jerusalem Church as the number one Christian church

D. Persecution of the Christian's by Herod 12:1 - 25

1. James' death by a sword

2. Peter's deliverance

3. The death of Herod

4. The continued spreading of the Word of God

III. Christianity spreads into all the world 13:1 - 28:31

A. The first missionary journey 13:1- 14:28

1. The affairs at Antioch (the beginnings of the Acts of Paul)

2. The affairs at Cyprus

3. The affairs at Galatian cities

4. The rejoicing and shaking off of the dust

5. The affairs in Antioch upon their return

B. The council at Jerusalem 15:1-35

1. Dissension

2. Discussion

3. Decision

4. A letter sent to Antioch

C. The second missionary journey 15:36 - 18:22

1. Choosing of those to go on the journey

2. The churches are visited again

3. A call is given to go into Europe

4. The work at Philippi

5. The works at Berea, Thessalonica and Athens

6. The work at Corinth

7. The second missionary journey completed

D. The third missionary journey 18:23 - 21:26

1. The power of God's word as shown at Ephesus

2. Baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus

3. The journey to Greece, Asia Minor, Troas and Ephesus

4. The journey from Miletus to Caesarea

5. Paul at the Jerusalem church

E. Paul's journey to Rome 21:27 - 28:31

1. Paul is arrested

2. Paul's defense

3. Paul is brought before the Sanhedrin

4. Paul is Escorted to Caesarea

5. Paul defends himself before Felix

6. Paul defends himself before Festus

7. Paul defends himself before Agrippa

8. Paul's voyage and the shipwreck

9. Paul leaves Malta for Rome

10. Paul spends time in Rome

Resources:

KJV Holy Bible, Thompson Chain

RSV Holy Bible, Study Bible

NIV Holy Bible

Study Notes, Pastor Thomas E. Miles, Sr.