Acts · A Logion Press Commentary by Horton, Stanley M. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Title Page Copyright Contents Foreword Preface Introduction to Acts

1. Title and Content 2. Genre, Authorship, and Date

Genre Authorship Date

3. Luke as a Theologian 4. Text Study Questions

Acts Outline I. The Church Established 1:1–2:47

A. The Promise of the Father 1:1–8

1. What Jesus Continued to Do and Teach 1:1 2. Jesus Gives Final Instructions 1:2–3 3. Jesus Promises Baptism in the Holy Spirit 1:4–5 4. Jesus Promises Power for Witness 1:6–8 Study Questions

B. Jesus Ascends to Heaven 1:9–11

1. Disciples See Him Taken Up 1:9 2. Angels Promise His Return 1:10–11 Study Questions

C. The Witness of the Apostles 1:12–26

1. Prayer in the Upper Room 1:12–14 2. Matthias Chosen as an Apostolic Witness 1:15–26 Study Questions

D. The Church Recognized and Empowered 2:1–40

1. The Day of Pentecost 2:1 2. The Signs of Wind and Fire 2:2–3 3. All Filled with the Spirit 2:4 4. The Crowd Amazed and Confused 2:5–13 5. Peter Manifests the Gift of Prophecy 2:14–40

a. Joel’s Prophecy Fulfilled 2:14–21 b. Jesus Exalted 2:22–36 c. Peter Calls for Repentance 2:37–40

Study Questions

E. The Church Growing and Loving 2:41–47

1. Three Thousand Added 2:41 2. Continuing as Disciples 2:42 3. Apostolic Miracles 2:43 4. Fellowship and Worship 2:44–46 5. Continued Growth 2:47 Study Questions

II. Ministry in Jerusalem 3:1–8:4

A. The Lame Man Healed 3:1–4:31

1. A Gift of Healing 3:1–10 2. Peter Exalts Jesus 3:11–26

a. The Prince of Life 3:11–21 b. A Prophet like Moses 3:22–26

3. Peter and John Arrested 4:1–4 4. Peter and John Brought to Trial 4:5–12 5. Peter and John Speak Boldly 4:13–22 6. Peter and John Return to Assembled Believers 4:23–31

a. Praying for Boldness and Miracles 4:23–30 b. A Fresh Filling with the Holy Spirit 4:31

Study Questions

B. Apostles Tested and Triumphant 4:32–5:42

1. A United, Caring Church 4:32–37 2. A Purified, Growing Church 5:1–16

a. Judgment on Ananias and Sapphira 5:1–10 b. Fear and Continued Growth 5:11–16

3. The Twelve Apostles Arrested 5:17–26 4. The Verdict to Kill the Apostles 5:27–33 5. Gamaliel’s Advice Not to Kill the Apostles 5:34–39 6. The Apostles Disobey the Sanhedrin’s Command 5:40–42 Study Questions

C. Seven Chosen to Serve 6:1–7

1. A Conflict Resolved 6:1–6 2. Continued Growth in Jerusalem 6:7 Study Questions

D. Stephen Martyred 6:8–8:4

1. Stephen’s Ministry Stirs Opposition 6:8–11 2. Stephen Brought before the Sanhedrin 6:12–7:1 3. Stephen’s Defense 7:2–53

a. Joseph Rejected 7:2–16 b. Moses Rejected 7:17–37 c. God Rejected 7:38–43 d. The Temple Insufficient 7:44–50 e. The Holy Spirit Rejected 7:51–53

4. Stephen Stoned 7:54–60 5. Resulting Persecution Spreads the Gospel 8:1–4 Study Questions

III. Ministry in Samaria and Judea 8:5–11:18

A. Philip’s Ministry 8:5–40

1. Philip’s Preaching and Miracles in Samaria 8:5–13 2. Peter and John Minister in Samaria 8:14–25

a. Samaritans Receive the Holy Spirit 8:14–17 b. Simon Offers to Buy the Gift 8:18–24 c. Peter and John Preach in Samaria 8:25

3. The Ethiopian Eunuch 8:26–40 Study Questions

B. Saul’s Conversion 9:1–31

1. Saul Threatens the Disciples 9:1–2 2. Jesus Appears to Saul in Blinding Light 9:3–9 3. Jesus Sends Ananias to Saul 9:10–19 4. Saul Preaches in Damascus 9:20–25 5. Barnabas Befriends Saul 9:26–31 Study Questions

C. Peter’s Ministry in Judea 9:32–11:18

1. Peter Ministers in Lydda 9:32–35 2. Peter Brought to Joppa 9:36–43 3. Cornelius Sends for Peter 10:1–8 4. Peter’s Visions 10:9–22 5. Peter Meets Cornelius 10:23–33 6. Peter Announces Good News for Gentiles 10:34–43 7. Gentiles Baptized in the Holy Spirit 10:44–48 8. Peter Explains to the Apostles and the Church in Jerusalem 11:1–18 Study Questions

IV. Antioch: A New Center 11:19–18:22

A. The Gospel Reaches Antioch 11:19–30

1. Gentiles Believe in Antioch 11:19–21 2. Barnabas Sent to Antioch 11:22–26 3. Agabus Prophesies a Famine 11:27–30 Study Questions

B. Peter’s Deliverance 12:1–24

1. Herod Kills the Apostle James 12:1–2 2. Herod Arrests Peter 12:3–6 3. An Angel Rescues Peter 12:7–19 4. Herod’s Death 12:20–24 Study Questions

C. Paul’s First Missionary Journey 12:25–14:28

1. Barnabas and Saul Return to Antioch 12:25 2. Sent out by the Spirit and the Church 13:1–3 3. Evangelizing in Cyprus 13:4–13 4. Ministering in Pisidian Antioch 13:14–52

a. Preaching Effectively 13:14–41 b. Turning to the Gentiles 13:42–49 c. Paul and Barnabas Expelled 13:50–52

5. Ministering in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe 14:1–25

a. Preaching, Miracles, and Opposition 14:1–7 b. A Cripple Healed 14:8–18 c. Paul Stoned 14:19–20 d. Confirming Believers 14:21–25

6. Reporting Back to Syrian Antioch 14:26–28 Study Questions

D. The Jerusalem Council 15:1–35

1. Believing Pharisees Demand Circumcision 15:1–5

a. Opposition Comes from Judea 15:1 b. Paul and Barnabas Sent to Jerusalem 15:2–4 c. Believing Pharisees Rise Up 15:5

2. The Question of Circumcision Considered 15:6–12 3. James Gives a Word of Wisdom 15:13–21 4. A Letter Sent 15:22–29 5. The Letter Causes Rejoicing at Antioch 15:30–35 Study Questions

E. Paul’s Second Missionary Journey 15:36–18:22

1. Paul and Barnabas Separate 15:36–39 2. Paul Chooses Silas 15:40–41 3. Paul Takes Timothy with Him 16:1–5 4. The Macedonian Call 16:6–10 5. Ministry in Philippi 16:11–40

a. An Open Door 16:11–15 b. A Demon Cast Out 16:16–18 c. Paul and Barnabas in Prison 16:19–26 d. The Jailer Converted 16:27–34 e. Paul and Silas Released 16:35–40

6. Ministry in Thessalonica 17:1–9 7. Noble Bereans 17:10–15 8. Ministry in Athens 17:16–34

a. Encountered by Philosophers 17:16–21 b. Message to the Council of Mars’ Hill 17:22–34

9. Ministry in Corinth 18:1–17

a. Working with Priscilla and Aquila 18:1–4 b. Turning to the Gentiles 18:5–11 c. Brought before Gallio 18:12–17

10. Returning to Antioch 18:18–22 Study Questions

V. Ephesus: A New Center 18:23–20:38

A. Paul’s Third Missionary Journey Begins 18:23

Study Questions

B. A Better Baptism 18:24–19:7

1. Apollos Helped by Aquila and Priscilla 18:24–28 2. Twelve Disciples at Ephesus 19:1–7 Study Questions

C. Revival and Riot in Ephesus 19:8–20:1

1. Two Years of Teaching 19:8–10 2. Special Miracles 19:11–16 3. Many Believe 19:17–20 4. Paul’s Purpose to Visit Rome 19:21–22 5. Silversmiths Stir a Riot 19:23–20:1

a. Silversmiths’ Wrath Affects the City 19:23–29 b. Total Confusion 19:30–34 c. The Crowd Quieted 19:35–41 d. Paul Leaves for Macedonia 20:1

Study Questions

D. Paul’s Third Journey Concludes 20:2–38

1. Macedonia and Greece Revisited 20:2–5 2. Eutychus Raised from the Dead at Troas 20:6–12 3. Sailing by Ephesus 20:13–16 4. Farewell to the Ephesian Elders 20:17–38

a. Paul’s Faithful Service 20:17–21 b. Willing to Die 20:22–24 c. Challenging by Example 20:25–35 d. A Sad Farewell 20:36–38

Study Questions

VI. The Road to Rome 21:1–28:31

A. Paul Goes to Jerusalem 21:1–26

1. Prophecy at Tyre 21:1–6 2. Prophecy at Caesarea 21:7–14 3. Welcomed at Jerusalem 21:15–19 4. Encouraging Jewish Believers 21:20–26 Study Questions

B. Paul’s Arrest 21:27–23:35

1. Asian Jews Cause a Riot 21:27–30 2. Paul Rescued by the Romans 21:31–40 3. A Witness for Christ 22:1–21 4. Saved from Scourging 22:22–29 5. Facing the Sanhedrin 22:30–23:10 6. Encouraged by the Lord 23:11 7. A Jewish Plot Discovered 23:12–22 8. Paul Taken to Caesarea 23:23–35 Study Questions

C. Paul’s Appeal to Caesar 24:1–26:32

1. Paul Accused by the Jews 24:1–27

a. Tertullus Presents Their Case 24:1–9 b. Paul Answers 24:10–21 c. Felix Postpones Making a Decision 24:22–27

2. Trial before Festus 25:1–8 3. Festus Agrees to Send Paul to Caesar 25:9–12 4. Festus Presents Paul’s Cause to Agrippa 25:13–22 5. Paul before Agrippa 25:23–26:32

a. Festus Presents His Case 25:23–27 b. Paul Answers 26:1–23

(1) Paul the Pharisee 26:1–11 (2) Paul Converted and Commissioned 26:12–18 (3) Paul’s Faithful Witness 26:19–23

c. Festus and Agrippa Reject the Gospel 26:24–29 d. Agrippa Recognizes Paul’s Innocence 26:30–32

Study Questions

D. Paul’s Voyage to Rome 27:1–28:15

1. Contrary Winds 27:1–8 2. Caught in a Storm 27:9–20 3. Paul’s Vision and Courage 27:21–37 4. The Shipwreck 27:38–44 5. Miracles at Malta 28:1–10 6. From Malta to Rome 28:11–15 Study Questions

E. Paul a Prisoner, Yet Free 28:16–31

1. Paul under House Arrest 28:16 2. Paul Meets Rome’s Jewish Leaders 28:17–22 3. Paul Preaches to Jews in Rome 28:23–29 4. Two Years of Opportunity 28:30–31 Study Questions

Appendix: Maps Selected Bibliography Scripture Index

Old Testament New Testament

Subject Index

← Prev
Back
Next →

← Prev
Back
Next →