The Book of Acts

“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”   
Jesus, Acts 1:8

Outline

• In Jerusalem (Acts 1-7)
• Jesus’ instructions and ascension
• Matthias selected to replace Judas
• The coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost
• Peter’s First Sermon
• Lame man healed in the temple; Peter’s Second Sermon
• Peter and John arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin
• Peter preaches to the Sanhedrin
• Sanhedrin Forbids Preaching in Jesus Name
• Ananias and Sapphira
• Apostles Miracles
• Apostles Persecuted
• Deacons Appointed
• Stephen arrested and preaches to the Sanhedrin
• Stephen killed by Sanhedrin
• Saul advances Christian persecution
• In Judea and Samaria (Acts 8-12)
•  Philip
• Philip in Samaria
• Philip and Ethiopian Treasurer
• Saul
• Persecution
• Road to Damascus
• Saul in Damascus
• Saul in Jerusalem
• Peter
• Peter in Lydda
• Peter in Joppa
• Peter in Caesarea
• Early Church
• Church growth in Antioch
• Church persecution in Jerusalem
• To the Ends of the Earth (13-28)
• Paul’s First Missionary Journey
• Jerusalem Council
• Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
• Paul’s Third Missionary Journey
• Paul’s Arrest
• Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem
• Paul in prison in Caesarea
• Paul in prison in Rome

Acts 2

Because of the day of Pentecost we know that a church began in both Cyrene and Rome.  Both these churches began without an apostle planting the church.  The churches in Rome and Cyrene grew, maintained correct doctrine and began missionary work.  Other churches would also have been started when the new converts took the gospel back to their home towns.

Acts 3 and 4
 In Acts 3 at 3:00 in the afternoon, Peter heals a lame man at the Gate Beautiful (also called Nicanor Gate) which led from the court of the Gentiles into the court of women.   The people came running out to Solomon’s Porch or Colonnade to see. (Acts 3:11) Peter began to preach about Jesus.  The priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees (Acts 4:1) came out and seized Peter and John.  They were put in jail for the night and the next day Peter and John appeared before the Sanhedrin for questioning. (Acts 4:5)  Peter preaches to the Sanhedrin but is warned not to preach in Jesus name anymore.

Acts 5 and 6
The Jerusalem church is growing in numbers and in organization.  They would meet in Solomon’s Colonnade (Solomon’s Porch).  The apostles continue to perform many signs and wonders (5:12).  People were bringing their sick from nearby towns to the temple in Jerusalem to be healed by the apostles. (5:16)  The high priest and his political party, the Sadducees, had the apostles put in jail but an angel opened the doors and told them, “Go stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life.” (5:17-20)  The next morning the Sanhedrin met to question the apostles but they could not find them in jail.  Instead they were found preaching in the temple courts. (5:21-26)  A Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel (the Apostle Paul’s teacher) suggested a policy of tolerance against the apostles until their momentum faded away. (5:33-40) The apostles were released but they continued to proclaim the good news that Jesus was the Christ in the temple courts and from house to house. (5:42)  To help the apostles maintain and organize their growing movement seven deacons where appointed to help them manage the material needs of the young church. (6:1-7) 

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