Acts Overview and Outline

AUTHOR: Luke

DATE: 61 AD

Luke, known as “the beloved physician” (Col 4:14; 2 Tim 4:11; Philemon 24) is clearly connected with his earlier work, as author of a “former treatise” (1:1), the Book of Luke,  addressed also to Theophilus (Lk 1: 1-4) Passages in the book, in which “we” and “us” are used (Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16), reveal the writer of this Gospel as a companion of Paul and support it being Luke.  Colossians 4:14 and Philemon 24 point affirmatively to Luke’s authorship. The frequent use of medical terms further confirms Luke as the author (Acts 1:3; 3:7ff.; 9:18, 33; 13:11; 28:1-10).

Luke answered the Macedonian call with Paul, was in charge of the work at Philippi for about six years, and later was with Paul in Rome during the time of Paul’s house arrest. The book was probably written in Rome. If it were written later it would likely have made mention of some momentous events such as the burning of Rome, the martyrdom of Paul, or the destruction of Jerusalem.

Acts is a transitional book, a “bridge” between the Gospels and the epistles.  In comparing the last chapter of each Gospel with the first chapter of Acts: Matthew refers to Resurrection, Mark to Ascension, Luke to promise of Spirit, and John to the Second Coming. All four facts are included in the introduction to Acts (1:1-11).  Each Gospel gives an account of the Great Commission and it is repeated and confirmed in Acts 1:8.  The “bridge” from Acts to the epistles is that Acts introduces the Apostles and tells of their works (the Acts of the Apostles) and the epistles tell of their doctrine.

The Book of Acts covers the time from the giving of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost to Paul’s arrival in Rome to preach the gospel in the world’s capital and the transition from the early church being primarily Jewish to the spread of the church to the Gentile nations and the increasing number of Gentile believers.  The book is sometimes called The Acts of the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s epistles define doctrines that first appeared in “seed form” in Acts (the Spirit, Acts 1:8; the kingdom, Acts 3:21; Acts 15:16; elders, Acts 11:30; Gentile salvation, Acts 15:14). The book gives principles for missionary work, patterns for church life, and many historical facts that have been confirmed through the centuries by archaeological discoveries.

The first 12 chapters of the book introduce important church leaders–Peter, Stephen, Philip, Barnabas, and James. From chapter 13 to the end, the primary person is Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, who was instrumental in the spread of the gospel, the growth of the church, and the defining of all Christian doctrines.

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B. The Council at Jerusalem, 15:1-35

1. The dissension, 15:1-5
2. The discussion, 15:6-18
3. The decision, 15:19-29
4. The letter delivered to Antioch, 15:30-35

C. The Second Missionary Journey, 15:36-18:22

1. The personnel chosen, 15:36-40
2. The churches revisited, 15:41-16:5
3. The call to Europe, 16:6-10
4. The work at Philippi, Acts 16:11-40
5. The work at Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens, 17:1-34
6. The ministry at Corinth, 18:1-17
7. The journey completed, 18:18-22

D. The Third Missionary Journey, 18:23-21:26

1. Ephesus: The power of the Word, 18:23-19:41
2. Greece, 20:1-6
3. Asia Minor: Troas and the elders of Ephesus, 20:7-38
4. From Miletus to Caesarea, 21:1-14
5. Paul with the Jerusalem church, 21:15-26

E. The Journey to Rome, 21:27-28:31

1. Paul’s arrest and defense, 21:27-22:29
2. Paul brought before the Sanhedrin, 22:30-23:10
3. Paul escorted to Caesarea, 23:11-35
4. Paul’s defense before Felix, 24:1-27
5. Paul’s defense before Festus, 25:1-27
6. Paul’s defense before Agrippa, 26:1-32
7. Paul’s voyage and shipwreck, 27:1-44
8. Paul in Malta and on to Rome, 28:1-16
9. Paul in Rome, 28:17-31

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