A Christ Centered Survey

Christ in the New Testament Cannon

Acts

Who is Luke?

Companion of Paul

Philemon 24, "and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers."

Physician

Colossians 4:14, "Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas."

Gentile

Colossians 4:10-11, "Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me."

Author of Gospel of Luke

When was Acts written?

Before AD 70 - temple was still standing

Before Paul was martyred - AD 68

No indication of Jewish war (AD 66) or Nero's persecution (AD 64)

James, brother of Jesus still alive (AD 62)

After gentiles started coming the faith (AD 54)

Paul came to Rome AD 60

Acts mentions he was there 2 years (Acts 28:30)

AD 61 - 62 is likely date, while Paul was in prison at Rome.

To whom was Acts written?

Theophilus - lover of God

Likely a greek and person of rank (most excellent)

Possibly any greek who loved God.

Perhaps legal brief in defense of Paul.

To us.

Why was Acts written?

History - records the first 30 years of the Christian church.

Spiritual - confirms the faith of Theophilus

Legal - explains Paul's journeys, not a traitor to Rome

Polemical - Paul not an apostate from Judaism.

Ecclesiastical - unity of Church in doctrine of Apostles.

Missional - provides an accurate account of the early church

Apologetical - God authenticated early church through miracles

What is Acts about?

John 14:12

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

Matthew 16 :18

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

What is Acts about?

Palm 110:1

The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”

We see this start in Acts 1:9

This verse is quoted in Acts 2:34-36

We see Jesus beginning to make his enemies his footstool

Footstool

Part of Solomon's throne - 2 Chronicles 9:18

Temple - 1 Chronicles 28:2, Psalm 99:5, Psalm 132:7

Earth - Isaiah 66:1

Israel - Lamentations 2:1

Key Verse

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you (2:1-4), and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea (2:5-8:3) and Samaria (8:4-25), and to the end of the earth. (8:26-28:31)
  1. Preparation for Witness (1:1-2:13)
    1. Jesus prepares the disciples (1:1-5)
      1. Introduction (1:1)
      2. Jesus gives them commands through the Holy Spirit (1:2)
      3. Jesus appears to them for 40 days (1:3)
      4. Waiting for the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem (1:4-5)
    2. Jesus ascends (1:6-11)
      1. Disciples ask about the restoration of Israel (1:6-7)
      2. Jesus tells them to be Holy Spirit empowered witnesses to the world (1:8)
      3. Jesus Ascension (1:9-11)
    3. Matthias replaces Judas (1:12-26)
      1. Disciples and other believers in the upper room (1:12-14)
      2. Peter speaks about Judas (1:15-20)
      3. Substitute Apostle Matthias chosen (1:21-26)
    4. The Spirit descends at Pentecost (2:1-13)
      1. The Holy Spirit Comes (2:1-4)
      2. Believers proclaiming the mighty works of God in many languages (2:5-13)
  2. The Witness in Jerusalem (2:14-5:42)
    1. Peter preaches at Pentecost (2:14-41)
      1. Peter explains what is happening (2:14-21)
      2. Jesus was crucified and raised according to God’s plan (2:22-24)
      3. David prophesied this (2:25-31)
      4. We are witnesses of this (2:32-33)
      5. Jesus is Lord and Christ (2:34-36)
      6. Repent, believe, and receive the Holy Spirit (2:37-41)
    2. The Christian community shares a life in common (2:42-47)
    3. Peter heals a lame begger (3:1-10)
    4. Peter’s Sermon at Solomon’s Portico (3:11-26)
      1. This healing happened by the power of the crucified and risen Jesus (3:11-16)
      2. Repent and believe, that your sins may be forgiven (3:17-26)
    5. Peter and John witness before the Jewish council (4:1–22)
      1. Arrested (4:1-4)
      2. By what authority do you do this? (4:5-7)
      3. By the name of Jesus whom you crucified (4:8-12)
      4. The Jewish leaders silenced (4:13-14)
      5. Silence commanded (4:15-18)
      6. We must obey God, not man (4:19-21)
      7. Empty threats (4:21-22)
    1. The Christian community prays for boldness in witness (4:23-31)
    2. The community shares together (4:32-5:16)
      1. Gospel fellowship (4:32-37)
      2. Ananias and Sapphira lie to the Holy Spirit and die (5:1-11)
      3. Many miracles including new believers (5:12-16)
    3. The apostles appear before the council (5:17-42)
      1. The Apostles arrested and miraculously released (5:17-21)
      2. The Jewish leaders discover their prisoners are missing (5:21-26)
      3. Peter answers the Jewish leaders charge (5:27-32)
      4. The Jewish leaders take Gamaliel’s advice (5:33-42)
  1. The Witness beyond Jerusalem (6:1-12:25)
    1. Seven chosen to serve the Hellenist widows (6:1-7)
      1. Dispute about neglect of Hellenists widows (6:1-2)
      2. Seven leaders chosen to serve believers (6:3-7)
    2. Stephen bears the ultimate witness (6:8-8:3)
      1. The arrest of Stephen (6:8-15)
      2. Stephen’s address before the Sanhedrin (7:1-53)
        1. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (7:1-8)
        2. Joseph (7:9-16)
        3. Israel’s oppression and Moses’ birth (7:17-22)
        4. Moses’ exile (7:23-29)
        5. Moses’ calling (7:30-34)
        6. Deliverance, rebellion, and judgment (7:35-43)
        7. God’s dwelling (7:44-50)
        8. Stephen’s accusation (7:51-53)
      3. The martyrdom of Stephen (7:54-8:3)
        1. Stephen’s murder by the Jewish leaders including Saul (7:54-60)
        2. Saul persecutes, the church is scattered (8:1-3)
    3. Philip witnesses beyond Jerusalem (8:4-40)
      1. Witness to the Samaritans (8:4-25)
        1. Philip preaches in Samaria (8:4-8)
        2. Many believe including Simon the Magician (8:9-13)
        3. Peter and John come, Samarian believers receive the Holy Spirit (8:4-17)
        4. Simon tried to buy the Holy Spirit from Peter and John (8:18-24)
        5. Peter and John preach throughout Samaria (8:25)
      2. Witness to an Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-40)
        1. Philip is sent to an Ethiopian Eunuch (8:26-29)
        2. Philip teaches the Ethiopian Eunuch the Gospel (8:30-35)
        1. The Ethiopian Eunuch believes and is baptized (8:36-38)
        2. Philip is taken to preach in other cities (8:39-40)
    1. The conversion of Saul (9:1-31)
      1. Saul’s encounter with Christ (9:1-9)
        1. Saul goes to Damascus to persecute the church (9:1-2)
        2. The conversion and call of Saul (9:3-9)
      2. Saul’s encounter with Ananias (9:10-19)
        1. Ananias commanded to welcome Saul (9:10-16)
        2. Saul receives the Holy Spirit (9:17-19)
      3. Saul’s witness in Damascus and Jerusalem (9:20-31)
        1. Saul proves Jesus is the Christ in Damascus (9:20-22)
        2. Saul escapes plot to kill him in Damascus (9:23-25)
        3. Saul is welcomed by Barnabus in Jerusalem (9:26-27)
        4. Another plan to kill Saul (9:28-30)
        5. A time of rest for the Church (9:31)
    2. Peter preaches in the coastal towns (9:32-11:18)
      1. Healing of Aeneas and Dorcas (9:32-43)
        1. Peter heals paralyzed Aeneas (9:32-35)
        2. Dorcas is raised to life by Peter (9:36-43)
      2. Conversion of Cornelius (10:1-48)
        1. Cornelius told in a vision to send for Peter (10:1-8)
        2. Peter’s vision of unclean animals (10:9-16)
        3. Peter welcomes Cornelius’ representatives (10:17-23)
        4. Peter goes to Cornelius (10:23-29)
        5. Cornelius tells Peter why he sent for him (10:30-33)
        6. Peter proclaims to gospel to Cornelius and his guests (10:34-43)
        7. The gentiles receive the Holy Spirit and are baptized (10:44-48)
      3. Peter’s testimony in Jerusalem (11:1-18)
        1. Peter criticized by the circumcision party (11:1-3)
        2. Peter explains vision and gentiles filled with Holy Spirit (11:4-17)
        3. Jewish Christians fell silent and glorified God (11:18)
    3. The Antioch church witnesses to Gentiles (11:19-26)
      1. Gospel preached to the Jews as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (11:19)
      2. Church established among gentiles in Antioch (11:20-21)
      3. Barnabas and Saul in Antioch (11:22-26)
    4. The offering for Jerusalem (11:27-30)
      1. Agabus predicts famine (11:27-28)
      2. Antioch church plan to send relief to Jerusalem Church (11:29-30)
    1. The Jerusalem church is persecuted (12:1-25)
      1. The death of James (12:1-5)
        1. James Killed by Herod (12:1-2)
        2. Peter arrested by Herod (12:3-5)
      2. Peter’s deliverance from prison (12:6-19)
        1. Peter delivered from prison (12:6-11)
        2. Peter at Mary’s house (John Mark’s mother) (12:12-17)
        3. Herod kills those who guarded Peter (12:18-19)
      3. The death of Herod Agrippa I (12:20-25)
        1. God judges Herod for accepting worship (12:20-23)
        2. Word of God increased and multiplied (12:24)
        3. Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark return to Antioch (12:25)
  1. The Witness in Cyprus and Southern Galatia (13:1-14:28)
    1. The Antioch church commissions Paul and Barnabas (13:1-3)
    2. Paul and Barnabas witness on Cyprus (13:4-12)
    3. Paul preaches in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch (13:13-41)
      1. Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia (13:13-16)
      2. Paul’s sermon at Antioch in Pisidia (13:17-41)
    4. Paul turns to the Gentiles (13:42-52)
      1. The people beg Paul to preach next sabbath (13:42-43)
      2. The jealousy of the Jews (13:44-47)
      3. The Joy of the Gentiles (13:48-49)
      4. The Jews incite persecution (13:50-52)
    5. Paul and Barnabas are rejected at Iconium (14:1-7)
      1. Paul and Barnabas preach at Iconium (14:1-3)
      2. Jews tried to stone Paul and Barnabas (14:4-5)
      3. Paul and Barnabas flee to Lystra and continue to preach (14:6-7)
    6. The two missionaries witness in Lystra (14:8-23)
      1. Paul heals a lame man (14:8-10)
      2. The Lystrians try to worship them as Gods (14:11-13)
      3. Paul and Barnabas restrain them (14:14-18)
      4. The Jews have Paul stoned and left for dead (14:19)
      5. Paul and Barnabas continue their work in Derbe (14:20-21)
      6. Paul and Barnabas go back to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch (14:21-23)
        1. Strengthening disciples
        2. Appointing elders
    7. Paul and Barnabas return home and tell of God’s work (14:24-28)
  2. The Jerusalem Council (15:1-35)
    1. The circumcision party criticizes the Gentile mission (15:1-5)
      1. The circumcision party comes and causes trouble for the Antioch church (15:1-2)
      2. Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem (15:3-5)
    2. Peter defends Paul (15:6-11)
    3. James proposes a solution (15:12-21)
    4. A letter is sent to Antioch (15:22-35)
      1. The Jerusalem council’s letter based on James council (15:22-29)
      2. Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas deliver the council’s letter to Antioch (15:30-35)
  1. The Witness in Greece (15:36-18:22)
    1. Paul and Barnabas differ over Mark (15:36-41)
      1. Disagreement (15:37-39)
      2. Barnabas takes John Mark (15:39)
      3. Paul takes Silas (15:40-41)
    2. Timothy joins Paul and is circumcised (16:1-5)
    3. Paul is called to Macedonia (16:6-10)
    4. Paul witnesses in Philippi (16:11-40)
      1. Conversion of Lydia and her household (16:11-15)
      2. Imprisonment of Paul and Silas (16:16-24)
        1. Paul drives demon out of slave girl (16:16-18)
        2. Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned (16:19-24)
      3. Conversion of the jailer (16:25-34)
        1. Paul and Silas freed from the stocks (16:25-26)
        2. The Philippian Jailer and his family saved (16:27-34)
      4. Paul confronts the civil magistrates about beating them (16:35-40)
    5. Paul witnesses in Thessalonica (17:1-9)
      1. Paul and Silas preach in Thessalonica (17:1-4)
      2. Jews become jealous and attack Jason (17:5-9)
    6. Paul witnesses in Berea (17:10-15)
      1. Paul and Silas preach in Berea (17:10-12)
      2. Jews from Thessalonica come to stir up trouble (17:13-15)
    7. Paul witnesses in Athens (17:16-34)
      1. Paul, provoked by idols, preaches in Athens (17:16-21)
      2. Witness before the Areopagus (17:22-34)
        1. Paul preaches before the Areopagus (17:22-31)
        2. Some believe, some are undecided, some mock (17:32-34)
    8. Paul witnesses in Corinth (18:1-23)
      1. Paul works with Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth (18:1-3)
      2. Paul reasons in the synagogue (18:4)
      1. The Jews reject the gospel (18:5-6)
      2. Paul goes to the gentiles (18:7-8)
      3. Paul's vision, stay in Corinth (18:9-11)
      4. Jews make a united attack, rulers do not care (18:12-16)
      5. Paul travels with Priscilla and Aquila to Ephesus (18:18-21)
      6. Paul goes to Antioch (18:22-23)
  1. The Witness in Ephesus (18:24-21:16)
    1. Priscilla and Aquila instruct Apollos (18:24-28)
    2. Paul encounters disciples of John (19:1-10)
      1. Paul proclaims the full Gospel to some disciples of John (19:1-7)
      2. Paul ministers in Ephesus for years (19:8-10)
    3. Paul encounters false religion at Ephesus (19:11-22)
      1. God does many miracles through Paul (19:11-12)
      2. Jewish exorcists use the name of Jesus (19:13-16)
      3. Righteous book burning (19:17-20)
      4. Paul plans to return to Jerusalem (19:21-22)
    4. Paul experiences violent opposition at Ephesus (19:23–41)
      1. Idol makers are losing money because of Paul (19:23-27)
      2. A riot in Ephesus (19:28-34)
      3. The town clerk calms the crowd (19:35-41)
    5. Paul completes his ministry in Greece (20:1-6)
    6. Paul travels to Miletus (20:7-16)
      1. Paul teaches in Troas (20:7-12)
        1. Paul teaches until midnight (20:7-8)
        2. Eutychus falls to his death (20:9)
        3. Eutychus is raised (20:10-12)
      2. Paul bypasses Ephesus (20:13-16)
    7. Paul addresses the Ephesian elders at Miletus (20:17-35)
      1. Paul sends for the elders to come to Miletus (20:17-18)
      2. They witnessed Paul’s way of life (20:18-21)
      3. Paul’s plan to go to Jerusalem (20:22-23)
      4. Paul’s priority - ministry (20:24)
      5. Care for the church of God (20:25-28)
      6. Wolves will arise (20:29-30)
      7. Be alert (20:31)
      8. I commend you to the grace of God (20:32)
      9. Serve and give (20:33-35)
    8. Paul journeys to Jerusalem (20:36-21:16)
      1. Prayer and sorrowful parting (20:36-38)
      2. From Miletus to Tyre (21:1-3)
      3. Believers warn Paul not to go to Jerusalem (21:4-6)
      4. From Tyre to Caesarea (21:7-8)
      5. In Philip’s household (21:8-9)
      6. Agabus prophecies Paul’s capture (21:10-14)
      7. In Mnason’s household (21:15-16)
  1. The Arrest in Jerusalem (21:17-23:35)
    1. Paul participates in a Nazirite ceremony (21:17-26)
      1. Meeting with James and the elders (21:17-20)
      2. Paul’s vow (21:21-26)
    2. An angry mob attacks Paul (21:27-40)
      1. Paul’s arrest (21:27-36)
      2. Paul prepares to speak (21:37-40)
    3. Paul addresses the Jewish crowd (22:1-22:21)
      1. A persecutor of the church (22:1-5)
      2. Paul’s conversion (22:6-16)
      3. Paul’s calling to the Gentiles (22:17-21)
    4. Paul reveals his Roman citizenship (22:22-29)
      1. Condemnation by the Jews (22:22-23)
      2. Paul spared flogging by his Roman citizenship (22:24-29)
    5. Paul appears before the Sanhedrin (22:30-23:11)
      1. Paul before the Jewish council (22:30)
      2. Paul confronts the high priest (23:1-5)
      3. Paul divides the Jewish council (23:6-10)
      4. Jesus reveals Paul will testify in Rome (23:11)
    6. Zealous Jews plot against Paul (23:12-22)
      1. 40+ Jews vow to kill Paul (23:12-15)
      2. Paul’s nephew warns the tribune of the plot (23:16-22)
    7. Paul is delivered to the governor Felix (23:23–35)
      1. Paul sent to Felix (23:23-25)
      2. The tribune’s letter to Felix (23:26-30)
      3. Felix receives Paul (23:31-35)
  2. The Witness in Caesarea (24:1-26:32)
    1. Paul appears before Felix (24:1-27)
      1. The Jewish leaders present their case against Paul before Felix (24:1-9)
      2. Paul defends his innocence (24:10-21)
      3. Paul kept in prison 2 years (24:22-27)
    1. Paul appeals to Caesar (25:1-12)
      1. The Jewish leaders plot to kill Paul again (25:1-5)
      2. The Jewish leaders present their case against Paul before Festus (25:6-7)
      3. Paul appeals to Caesar (25:8-12)
    2. Festus presents the case to King Agrippa II (25:13-22)
    3. Paul witnesses to Agrippa II (25:23-26:32)
      1. Paul is brought before Agrippa (25:23-27)
      2. Paul’s message to king Agrippa (26:1-23)
        1. Paul’s life as a Pharisee (26:1-8)
        2. Paul as a persecutor of the Church(26:9-11)
        3. Paul’s conversion (26:12-18)
        4. Paul's ministry (26:19-23)
      3. Paul attempting to persuade king Agrippa to believe (26:24-29)
      4. King Agrippa believes in Paul’s innocence (26:30-32)
  1. The Witness in Rome (27:1-28:31)
    1. Paul journeys to Rome by sea (27:1-44)
      1. Setting sail for Rome - smooth sailing (27:1-8)
      2. Paul’s advice to wait ignored (27:9-12)
      3. Violent storm (27:13-20)
      4. Paul’s encouragement - not one will be lost (27:21-26)
      5. Sailors attempt to abandon ship and passengers (27:27-32)
      6. Paul encourages the men on the ship (27:33-38)
      7. Shipwreck - but all were saved (27:39-44)
    2. Paul witnesses on Malta (28:1-10)
      1. Welcomed on the island of Malta (28:1-2)
      2. Paul and the viper (28:3-6)
      3. Paul healed the father of Publius and many others (28:7-10)
    3. Final trip to Rome, meeting with believers on the way (28:11-16)
    4. Paul witnesses to the Jews in Rome (28:17-31)
      1. Paul’s initial meeting with Jewish leaders from Rome (28:17-22)
      2. Paul’s second meeting with Jewish leaders from Rome (28:23-28)
        1. Paul tries to convince the Jews of the kingdom of God (28:23)
        2. Some believe, Some disbelieve (28:24-25)
        3. Paul says he will go the the gentiles (28:25-28)
      3. Paul stays in Rome 2 years proclaiming the kingdom (28:30-31)

Judea

Samaria

End of Earth

Jerusalem to Antioch

Antioch to Rome

Jews

Samaritans

The World

Peter

Paul

Established with the Jews

Expanding to the Gentiles

Going to the World

Sermons

Miracles

Visions & Angels

New Believers

Persecution

Prayer

Old Testament Quotes

The Holy Spirit

Paul's First Missionary Journey

Paul's Second Missionary Journey

Paul's Third Missionary Journey

Apologetics

A Christ Centered Survey

Christ in the New Testament Cannon

Acts

Gospel vs Epistle

Gospels Epistles
deeds doctrine
information interpretation
evangelization edification
pattern of the church policy for the church

Nature of an Epistle

A letter written by an apostle or a close associate of an apostle.

Missiological

Missionary letters - written to encourage church growth.

Encourage the church to continue in the faith.

Intended for a wide audience.

Literary

Author

Secretary

Carrier

Recipient

Salutation & Greeting

Nature of an Epistle

Canonical

While epistles are unique to the New Testament, like other Biblical writings they were inspired by God and intended for the edification of his church.

Peter had letters of Paul that he considered scripture

2 Peter 3:15-16

And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

Paul considered all scripture inspired by God

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness...

Nature of an Epistle

Doctrinal/Practical

The epistles will generally address both doctrinal issues and pratical application of God's work to all of life. Often they will start with doctrine and conclude with application. Some epistles are almost divided in the middle with doctrine vs application.

Geographical

The epistles were addressed to real churches in real cities that the apostles or others believers had reached with the gospel.

The Theme of Paul's Epistles

"In Christ"

Romans (3:24) - Redemption in Christ

1 Corinthians (1:2) - Sanctification in Christ

2 Corinthians (2:14) - Jubilation in Christ

Galatians (2:4) - Emancipation in Christ

Ephesians (1:3) - Exaltation in Christ

Philippians (1:26) - Exultation in Christ

Colossians (1:28) - Completion in Christ

1 Thessalonians (1:3) - Expectation in Christ

2 Thessalonians (1:12) - Glorification in Christ

1 Timothy (1:14) - Faithfulness in Christ

2 Timothy (1:13) - Steadfastness in Christ

Titus (1:9) - Soundness in Christ

Philemon (6) - Benefaction in Christ

The Classification of Paul's Epistles

Eschatological

1 & 2 Thessalonians - second missionary journey

Soteriological

Galatians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans - third missionary journey

Ecclesiological

Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians - first imprisonment

Pastoral

1 Timothy, Titus (between imprisonments), 2 Timothy (second imprisonment)

The Order & Dates of Paul's Epistles

Decade Book Place Date
AD 40s Galatians Antioch 48 (or 55)
AD 50s 1 Thessalonians Corinth 50-51
2 Thessalonians Corinth 50-51
1 Corinthians Ephesus 55-56
Galatians Ephesus 55 (or 48)
2 Corinthians Macedonia 55-56
Romans Corinth 57
Decade Book Place Date
AD 60s Ephesians Rome 60
Colossians Rome 60
Philemon Rome 60
Philippians Rome 61-62
1 Timothy Macedonia? 64-66
Titus Macedonia? 64-66
2 Timothy Macedonia? 67