Survey of Acts 15-28

The establishment of the church & the spread of the gospel into

all the world

•I. General information

• See previous lesson for background information

•II. Survey of the book

5

Acts 15

• Discussion at Jerusalem concerning Gentiles and circumcision, Paul and Barnabas separate

Acts 15:9 – Jerusalem meeting about circumcision

• [9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

7

Acts 16

• Macedonian call, Philippi, Lydia, jailer

Acts 16:30 – Conversion of the Philippian Jailer

• [30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

9

Acts 17

• Thessalonica, Berea, Athens

Acts 17:23 – The philosophers in Athens

• 23 For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you.

• Philosopher = “one who studies the nature of life, truth, knowledge, and other important human matters.” www.wordsmyth.ne• Too often philosophy leaves God

out of the picture

12

Acts 18

• Paul in Corinth, Aquila and Priscilla, Apollos

Acts 18:1-3 – Apollos, Aquilla, & Priscilla

• [1] After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;[2] And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

• [3] And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

Acts 18:24-26• [24] And a certain Jew named Apollos,

born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.• [25] This man was instructed in the way of

the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

• [26] And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

17

Acts 19

• Twelve baptized, Paul in Ephesus, opposition of Demetrius

Acts 19:28 – Riot at Ephesus

• [28] And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

19

Acts 20

• Lord’s Supper in Troas, Paul’s talk with the Ephesian elders

Acts 20:28 – Encouraging the Ephesian Elders

• [28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

21

Acts 21

• Agabus foretells of Paul’s trials, Paul in Jerusalem, anger of Jews

Acts 21:31-33 – Paul arrested in Jerusalem

• [31] And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.• [32] Who immediately took soldiers

and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief

• [33] Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

24

Acts 22

• Paul’s defense before the Jews, Paul claims Roman citizenship

Acts 22:16 – Paul recounts his conversion

• [16] And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

26

Acts 23

• Paul before the council, 40 men vow to kill Paul, Claudius Lysias sends Paul away to Caesarea by night

Acts 23:1 - Paul before the Sanhedrin (Council – KJV)

• [1] And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

Sanhedrin

• The supreme judicial and administrative council of the Jews• Said to have 71 members• In the KJV it is referred to as “council”• The high priest was always president

of the council

Some who belonged to the Sanhedrin in the N.T. were:

• Joseph of Arimathea• Gamaliel• Nicodemus• High priests Anna, Caiaphas and

Ananias

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Acts 24

• Ananias ands Tertullus testify against Paul before Felix, Felix gives Paul easy imprisonment until Festus arrives, Felix hears Paul and it causes him to tremble

Acts 24:24-25 – Paul before Felix

• [24] And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

• [25] And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

32

Acts 25

• Paul before Festus, Paul appeals to Caesar, Agrippa arrives in Caesarea

Acts 25:9 – Paul before Festus

• [9] But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

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Acts 26

• Paul’s masterful speech before Agrippa, Agrippa’s reaction

Acts 26:28 - Paul before Agrippa

• 28] Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

• Felix and Festus – they were Roman governors of Judea; The KJV calls them “Procurator” • King Agrippa (II) – was the last of

the family of Herod. He ruled an area assigned to him by Rome

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Acts 27

• Trip by ship to Rome, dangerous voyage, 276 passengers

Acts 27:23-25 – Paul shipwrecked on the voyage to Rome

• [23] For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,• [24] Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou

must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

• [25] Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

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Acts 28

• Island of Melita, viper does not harm Paul, Paul heals Publius’ father, Paul in Rome, preaching the gospel

Acts 28:30-31 – Paul’s arrival at Rome

• [30] And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,• [31] Preaching the kingdom of God,

and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Conclusion

• Acts 1:8• …ye shall be witnesses unto me

both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.