Everything you need to kick start your study of the Book of Acts: maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study.
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Basics
- Author: Luke, the physician
- Date written: c 62 AD (many arguing for 75-85 AD)
- Time period of events: 30-62 AD. The book begins in the year of Christ’s death/resurrection and ends with Paul’s imprisonment in Rome.
- Genre: historical narrative
- Audience: Believers
- Chapters 1-12 – main character is Peter. Chapters 13-28 – Main character is Paul.
Purpose:
Many have been proposed, including:
- Evangelistic: to awaken faith (especially through the speeches recorded)
- Political: to show Roman citizens that Christianity should be tolerated; Luke shows many Roman officials refusing to stand in the way of the new movement
- Edification of believers: seeks the confirmation of what they have been taught (Luke 1:1-4)
- Defense of Paul: Luke intended to defend Paul against rumors and false charges about his authenticity
- Reconciliation between Jewish and Gentile believers by showing Peter and Paul in agreement over the basics of the faith
- Historical-theological: to explain the movement of the church from Jerusalem-based, Judiasm-oriented to worldwide, Gentile-dominated.
Simple Outline
- Chapters 1-12: Peter and the beginnings of the church in Palestine; 1:1-9:31 – Judea, Galilee and Samaria; 9:32-12:25 – as far as Phoenicia, Cyrus and Antioch.
- Chapters 13-28: Paul and the expansion of the church from Antioch to Rome; 13:1-15:35 – throughout Phyrgia and Galatia; 15:36-21:16 – over to Macedonia; 21:17028:31 – to Rome.
Structure
6 sections marked by summary statements
- 1:1-6-7 – The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. – Acts 6:7
- 6:8-9:31 – So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. – Acts 9:31
- 9:31-12:24 – But the word of God increased and multiplied. – Acts 12:24
- 12:25-16:5 – So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. – Acts 16:5
- 16:6-19:20 – So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. – Acts 19:20
- 19:21-28:31 – He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. – Acts 28:30-31
Themes
- The Holy Spirit‘s power guides the church’s growth (Acts 1:8; Acts 4:8; Acts 8:28; Acts 8:39; Acts 10:19; Acts 13:2; Acts 15:28; Acts 16:6; Acts 20:22).
- 5 separate accounts of an outpouring of the Holy Spirits (Acts 2:1-4; Acts4:28-31; Acts 8:15-17; Acts 10:44; Acts 19:6).
- Leading characters are each “filled with the Holy Spirit” (e.g. Acts 2:4; Acts 4:8; Acts 6:3; Acts 7:55; Acts 11:24; Acts 13:9; Acts 13:52).
- Prayer (e.g. Acts 1:14; Acts 2:42; Acts 4:23-31; Acts 6:4; Acts 7:59; Acts 9:40; Acts 10:9; Acts 10:30; Acts 12:12; Acts 13:3; Acts 14:23; Acts 16:16; Acts 16:25; Acts 20:36; Acts 21:5).
- Joy (e.g. Acts 8:8; Acts 13:52; Acts 14:17; Acts15:3; Acts 16:34).
- Suffering and persecution to advance the church (e.g. Acts 4:7; Acts 5:18; Acts 5:40-41; Acts 8:1; Acts 8:3; Acts 9:16; Acts 9:23; Acts 12:1-2; Acts 13:50; Acts 14:5; Acts 14:19; Acts 14:22; Acts 16:22-23; Acts 17:5; Acts 18:12; Acts 20:3; Acts 20:23; Acts 21:30; Acts 23:12; Acts 28:20).
Genre: Understanding Narrative
Background, Outlines & Timelines
- Acts NASB Study Text
- Paul’s journeys in 1 chart (WitW)
- Chronology of Paul (WitW)
- Bible Atlas: Nazareth
- Bible Atlas: Galilee
- Chronology of Acts/Epistles (Blue Letter Bible)
- Blue Letter Bible Chronology of Paul
- Introduction to New Testament Jewish Groups
Introductions
- Acts Overview (Blue Letter Bible)
- NIV: Introduction to Acts
- ESV: Introduction to Acts
- ESV: The Global Message of Acts
- Ray Stedman: Overview of each Book
- John MacArthur: Author, Date, Background
- J Vernon McGee Notes on Acts
- Charles Swindoll – Acts – View a list of Bible maps
- James Van Dine: Analysis of Acts
- David Malick (Bible.org): An Introduction To The Book Of Acts
- David Malick: An Argument Of The Book Of Acts
- Daniel Wallace: Acts: Introduction, Outline, and Argument
- Bob Utley: Introduction to Acts
Timelines
- Acts Timeline (Biblehub)
- Parallels in the Ministries of Jesus, Peter, and Paul in Luke–Acts
- Major Sermons in Acts
- God’s Sovereignty in Salvation as Seen in Acts
- Itinerary of Paul’s First Journey – see discussion and map
- Itinerary of Paul’s Second Journey – see discussion and map
- God’s Sovereignty in Salvation in Acts
- Book of Acts Story and Structure
- Major Events in the Life of Paul
- BlueLetterBible Timeline
- Ben Witherington Timeline
Maps from Bible-History.com
- Paul’s 1st Journey – Acts 13:4-14:28
- Paul’s 2nd Journey – Acts 15:36-18:22
- Paul’s 3rd Journey – Acts 18:23-21:26
- Apostles’ Journeys
- Paul’s 3 Journeys on 1 map
- New Testament World
- Israel in NT Times
- Kingdom of Herod the Great
- Herod’s Kingdom Divided
- Christ’s Early Ministry
- Nazareth
- Galilee
- New Testament Jerusalem
- New Testament Cities – Once there click on specific area
Maps from Studylight.org
- Early Rome
- Roman Expansion in the 3rd & 2nd centuries BCE
- Civil Wars amidst Roman Expansion in 1st century BCE
- Roman Empire in the Age of Augustus
- Roman Rule in Palestine 63-40 BCE
- The Kingdom of Herod the Great
- Herod’s Building Program
- The Division of Herod’s Kingdom
- Palestine under the Herods
- Palestine in the Time of Jesus (1)
- Palestine in the Time of Jesus (2)
- Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls
The Life and Ministry of Jesus
- Jesus’ Birth and Early Childhood
- The Birth, Childhood, and Baptism of Jesus
- John the Baptist
- Galilee in the Time of Jesus
- Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee and Journey to Jerusalem
- The Ministry of Jesus around the Sea of Galilee
- The Ministry of Jesus beyond Galilee
- Jesus’ Ministry according to John
- Jesus’ Journeys from Galilee to Judea
- Jesus in Judea and Jerusalem
- Jerusalem in the New Testament Period
- The Passion Week in Jerusalem
Key Words in Acts
Occurrences are based on New American Standard Text. “4x/3v” means the word appears 4 times in 3 verses. “3x” means the word appears 3 times in 3 verses.
- Lord (101x) – Strong’s G2962
- Jesus (71x); Christ (26X)
- Spirit (64x) – Strong’s G4151
- word (39x) Strong’s G3056 in Act 2:41; Act 4:29; Act 4:31; Act 6:2; Act 6:4; Act 6:7; Act 7:14; Act 8:4; Act 8:14; Act 8:25; Act 10:36; Act 11:1; Act 11:16; Act 11:19; Act 12:24; Act 13:5; Act 13:7; Act 13:15; Act 13:44; Act 13:46; Act 13:48; Act 13:49; Act 14:3; Act 14:25; Act 15:7; Act 15:27; Act 15:35; Act 15:36; Act 16:6; Act 16:32; Act 17:11; Act 17:13; Act 18:5; Act 18:11; Act 19:10; Act 19:20; Act 20:32; Act 20:38; Act 28:25.
- baptized (19X) – Strong’s G907 in Act 1:5; Act 2:38; Act 2:41; Act 8:12; Act 8:13; Act 8:16; Act 8:36; Act 8:38; Act 9:18; Act 10:47; Act 10:48; Act 11:16; Act 16:15; Act 16:33; Act 18:8; Act 19:3; Act 19:4; Act 19:5; Act 22:16; baptism (6x) – Strong’s G908 in Act 1:22; Act 10:37; Act 13:24; Act 18:25; Act 19:3; Act 19:4.
- church (17x) Strong’s G1577 in Act 5:11; Act 8:1; Act 8:3; Act 9:31; Act 11:22; Act 11:26; Act 12:1; Act 12:5; Act 13:1; Act 14:23; Act 14:27; Act 15:3; Act 15:4; Act 15:22; Act 18:22; Act 20:17; Act 20:28.
- faith (14X/13V) – Strong’s G4102 in Act 3:16; Act 6:5; Act 6:7; Act 11:24; Act 13:8; Act 14:9; Act 14:22; Act 14:27; Act 15:9; Act 16:5; Act 20:21; Act 24:24; Act 26:18.
- believe (10x/9v) Strong’s 64100 in Act 8:37; Act 13:41; Act 15:7; Act 15:11; Act 16:31; Act 19:4; Act 26:27; Act 27:25; Act 28:24; believing (4x) Strong’s G4100 in Act 9:26; Act 11:17; Act 18:8; Act 24:14.
- saved (12x) Strong’s G4982 in Act 2:21; Act 2:40; Act 2:47; Act 4:12; Act 11:14; Act 15:1; Act 15:11; Act 16:30; Act 16:31; Act 27:20; Act 27:31; Act 28:4.
- witnesses (9x) – Strong’s G3144 in Act 1:8; Act 2:32; Act 3:15; Act 5:32; Act 6:13; Act 7:58; Act 10:39; Act 10:41; Act 13:31.
- witness (7x) – Strong’s G3144 in Act 1:22; Act 22:15; Act 22:20; Act 26:16; Strong’s G3140 in Act 10:43; Act 23:11; Strong’s G267 in Act 14:17.
Commentaries & Study Bibles
- Top 5 Commentaries on Acts by Keith Mathison – Ligonier.org
- Best Commentaries on Acts – Tim Challies
- Commentary Reviews: Acts
- Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: Acts
- Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible: Acts
- Alfords Exegetical Commentary: Acts
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible: Acts
- Geneva Study Bible: Acts
- Reformation Study Bible Notes: Acts
- The Biblical Illustrator: Acts
- Paul Apple: Acts Commentary
- Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: Acts
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
- Luke-Acts, Theology of – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- American Tract Soceity: Acts of the Apostles
- Charles Buck Dictionary: Acts of the Apostles
- Easton Bible Dictionary: Acts of the Apostles
- Fausset Bible Dictionary: Acts of the Apostles
- Hastings’ Bible Dictionary: Acts of the Apostles
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the NT Acts of the Apostles Acts of the Apostles (2)
- Holman Bible Dictionary: Acts
- Morrish Bible Dictionary Acts of the Apostles
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Acts of the Apostles
- Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Acts of the apostles
- People’s Dictionary of the Bible Acts of the apostles
- Watson’s Theological Dictionary Acts of the Apostles
- 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica Acts of the Apostles
- McClintock and Strong’s Bible Encyclopedia Acts of the Apostles
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia Acts of the Apostles
- Assorted articles-mostly theological journals – Acts
- Assorted articles UK – Acts
Luke, author
- Luke – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Luke – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Luke – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Luke – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Luke, the Evangelist – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Luke, means “luminous, white” – Hitchcock’s Bible Names
Paul
- Paul, the Apostle – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- Paul – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Paul, the Apostle – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Paul – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Paul, the Apostle – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Paul- Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
Barnabas
- Barnabas – Understanding God’s Will in the World
- Barnabas – The High Calling of Playing Second Fiddle
- Barnabas – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Barnabas – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Barnabas – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Barnabas – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Barnabas – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Barnabas in Acts: 4:26; 9:27; 11:22, 30; 12:25; Chapters 13-15;
- Barnabas in NT: Galatians 2:9-13; Colossians 4:10
Timothy
- Timothy – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Timothy – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Timothy – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Timothy – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Timothy in Acts: Acts 16:1-3; Acts 17:14-15; Acts 18:5; Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4
Silas, Silvanus
- Silas – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Silas – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Silas – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Silas – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Silas in Acts: Acts 15:22-41; Acts 16; Acts 17; Acts 18:5
Pharisees
- Pharisees – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Pharisees
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Pharisees
- Fausset Bible Dictionary: Pharisees
- Holman Bible Dictionary: Jewish Parties in the New Testament
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Pharisees
- Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Pharisees
- Morrish Bible Dictionary: Pharisees
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Pharisees
- McClintock and Strong: Pharisee
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Pharisees
- The Jewish Encyclopedia: Pharisees
Sadducees
- Sadducees – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Sadducees
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Sadducees
- Fausset Bible Dictionary: Sadducees
- Holman Bible Dictionary: Jewish Parties in the New Testament
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Sadducees
- Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Sadducees
- Morrish Bible Dictionary: Sadducees
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Sadducees
- McClintock and Strong: Sadducee
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Sadducees
- The Jewish Encyclopedia: Sadducees
Scribes
- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Scribes
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Scribes
- Fausset Bible Dictionary: Scribes
- Holman Bible Dictionary: Scribe
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Scribes
- Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Scribes
- Morrish Bible Dictionary: Scribes
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Scribes
- McClintock and Strong: Scribes, Jewish
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Scribes, The
- The Jewish Encyclopedia: Scribes
Alfred Edersheim
- Sketches of Jewish Social Life
- The Temple —Its Ministry and Services
- The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
- Old Testament History
Whyte’s Dictionary of Bible Characters
- Ananias and Sapphira
- Barnabas
- Herod That Fox
- James the Lord’s Brother
- John
- John the Baptist
- Lois and Eunice
- Luke, the Beloved Physician
- Mary Magdalene
- Matthias the Successor to Judas Iscariot
- Peter
- Timothy As a Child
- Timothy As a Young Minister
Articles
- E Earle Ellis – The End of the Earth (Acts 1:8) – Bulletin for Biblical Research 1991,123-32
- Paul House – Suffering and the Purpose of Acts – JETS 33: 1990 (317-330)
- Bruce – Luke’s Presentation of the Spirit in Acts
- Allen- Acts Studies in the 1990’s Unity and Diversity
- deSilva- Paul’s Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia
- Dockery- The Theology of Acts
- Gasque – The Historical Value of the Book of Acts
- Gasque – The Historical Value of the Book of Acts – separate article
- Goetz – Acts 17:6 Flipping the World on Its Head (Acts 17-6; I Pet. 2-91)
- Hemer, The Speeches of Acts: Pt 1: The Ephesian Elders; Pt 2: Areopagus
- Kistemaker- The Speeches in Acts
- Koivisto – Stephen’s Speech: A Theology of Errors?
- McIntyre- Baptism and Forgiveness in Acts 2-38
- McRay- Archaeology and the Book of Acts
- Moore – To the End of the Earth…
- Murray- Paul’s Corporate Evangelism in the Book of Acts
- Palmer – Acts and the Historical Monograph
- Poythress – Modern Spiritual Gifts as Analogous to Apostolic Gifts
- Rainer- Church Growth and Evangelism in the Book of Acts
- Schnabel-Fads &Common Sense-Reading Acts in 1st Century & Reading Today
- Vines- Evangelistic Preaching and the Book of Acts
- Walton, “The Acts – of God? What is the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ all about?”
- Wiarda – The Jerusalem Council and the Theological Task
- Biblical Studies – Acts – multiple journal articles (UK)
- Bible.org Acts – Multiple Resources
- Fruchtenbaum: Rabbinic Quotations of the Old Testament and how it Relates to Joel 2 and Acts 2
- Bob Deffinbaugh – The Unique Contribution of the Book of Acts
- Myer Pearlman – Through the Bible – Acts
- James Gray – Acts of the Apostles
- William W. Orr – Key to Acts
- Daniel B. Wallace: Did Priscilla “Teach” Apollos? An Examination of the Meaning of ἐκτίθημι in Acts 18:26
- Greg Herrick: A Study Outline of Acts
GotQuestions.org
Treat like any commentary: read carefully and thoughtfully.
- Book of Acts – Bible Survey
- Who was Theophilus at the beginning of Luke and Acts?
- Was Matthias or Paul God’s choice to replace Judas as the 12th apostle?
- What are cloven tongues?
- What is the gift of speaking in tongues? Is it for today?
- Is speaking in tongues evidence for having the Holy Spirit?
- Should we be baptized in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:38), or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)?
- Does Acts 2:38 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? (See also Is baptism necessary for salvation?)
- What does the Bible mean when it speaks of the breaking of bread?
- What was early Christianity like?
- Why did God kill Ananias and Sapphira for lying?
- What was in the shadow of Peter that healed people (Acts 5:15-16)?
- Who were the Hellenistic Jews in the Bible?
- What can we learn from the life of Stephen?
- Who was Simon the Sorcerer?
- Why had the believers in Samaria not received the Holy Spirit?
- What can we learn from the life of Paul?
- What happened on the road to Damascus? What is a road to Damascus experience?
- Why does Acts 9:7 say that those traveling with Paul heard a voice, but Acts 22:9 says that they heard no voice?
- Who was Cornelius in the Bible?
- When and why was Saul’s name changed to Paul?
- What were the different missionary journeys of Paul?
- What happened on Paul’s first missionary journey?
- What happened on Paul’s second missionary journey?
- What happened on Paul’s third missionary journey?
- What happened between Paul’s third and fourth missionary journeys?
- What happened on Paul’s fourth missionary journey?
- What is “the Way” in the Bible?
- What can we learn from the life of Barnabas?
- What was the meaning and importance of the Jerusalem Council?
- What does the Bible say about household salvation?
- What is the Macedonian Call?
- Who were the Bereans in the Bible?
- What is Epicureanism? What did Epicurus teach?
- What happened at Mars Hill in the Bible?
- Who is the unknown god in Acts 17:23?
- Why had the disciples in Ephesus not received the Holy Spirit?
- Who were the seven sons of Sceva?
- Who is the Artemis mentioned in the Bible?
- Who was Gaius in the Bible?
- Who was Tychicus in the Bible?
- What is the whole counsel of God?
- Does Acts 22:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
- What does it mean to kick against the pricks?
- What can we learn from the life of James, the brother of Jesus?
- What can we learn from the life of Luke?
- What should we learn from the account of Paul and Barnabas?
- What should we learn from the account of Paul and Silas?
Bible Study Help
- Bible Study 101
- Interpreting Narratives
- Study Software & websites
- More Maps & Charts
- Greek Word Studies by Precepts Austin
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