Lionel Windsor, 2001

Contents

• Purpose
• Date
• Importance
• Themes
• Quotations
• Structure
• Summary of themes
  • Opposition / suffering
  • The Holy Spirit
  • The message

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Purpose

• Second part of Luke’s two-volume work
• Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”
• Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth
• ie it is the confirmation of the gospel
• ie to show how this gospel was proclaimed and confirmed
• It is also an historical account and a defence of the events of the early church (Luke 1:1-4)
• Against the Jewish world
• Against the Greek world
• Against persecution
  • e.g. Jesus (in Luke) and many Christians, especially Paul (in Acts) are often pronounced not guilty
• Luke is about what Jesus began to do and teach. Acts is about what Jesus continues to do and teach, by his Spirit.

Date

• Not conclusive – could be any time from 60-61 (time of Paul’s imprisonment in Rome) onwards

Importance

• Provides a link/pivot between the gospels and the epistles
• Evidence for apostolic claims
  • Of Paul (especially)
  • Of others
• The message of Christianity: shows place and content of early Christian preaching
• Spread of gospel from Jew à Gentile
• Provides a link between the Jesus of the gospels and the people who had never seen Jesus
• Comfort for Christians
• Call to salvation for non-Christians – embrace this Jesus whom you have not seen

Themes

• The witnesses and their task
• The universal spread of the word
• Geographically
• To different peoples
• The Holy Spirit acting in the spread of the word (including the miraculous)
• Opposition
• The preaching and its content – the message
• Overall message: “Believe in the Lord Jesus for salvation because his resurrection means our resurrection.”
• Different for different types of people

Quotations to remember

• Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”
• Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”
• Acts 10:34-35 “Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”
• Acts 11:18 “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life”
• Luke 9:51 “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem”
• Acts 19:21 “After this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem …”
• Acts 17:18 “Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection” – a summary of the message.

Structure of Acts

Reading Acts is like watching the effects of an earthquake. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the epicentre. The earthquake happens, and the shock waves expand in ever increasing circles to cover the whole earth, driven along by the Holy Spirit. These expanding circles can be seen in various ways: the witnesses, the geography, the recipients of the message.

Overall structure

Emphasis indicates a consolidation rather than an expansion

Passage	Witnesses	Geography	Recipients
1	Introduction / preparation
2	Apostle Peter	Judea (centre Jerusalem) Jerusalem	Jews Intro: all Jews
3-5	Peter and John		Hebraic Jews
6:1-7	The Seven		Grecian Jews
6:8-7:60	Stephen
8	Philip	JudeaSamaria	SamaritansUnclean proselytes
9:1-31	(Saul’s conversion)	Mediterranean Coast (centre Antioch)	God-fearing Gentiles
9:32-42	(Peter)	Lydda and Joppa	(Jews)
10:1-11:18		Caesarea	God fearers
11:19-30	(Saul)	Antioch	Greeks
12	(Peter)	(Jerusalem)	(Jews)
13-15	Apostle Paul with Barnabas	Phrygia / Galatia – journey 1	Gentiles (Jews rejected)
16:1-17:15	with Silas and Timothy	Macedonia / Achaia / Asia (centre Ephesus) – journeys 2 & 3 Macedonia
17:16-18:17		Achaia
18:18-19:41	with Priscilla and Aquilawith Apollos	Ephesus	(John the Baptist’s believers)
20-28	(by himself)	Rome	Looking to the future – “the ends of the earth”

Detailed structure with themes

NB Can divide up rows in the table below

Passage	Witnesses	Geography	Recipients	The Holy Spirit	Opposition
1	1:8 The disciples together are commissioned to be witnesses1:12-26 Another witness must be chosen to take Judas’ place	Galilee – Jesus’ appearanceJerusalem		1:2 Jesus gave instructions through the Spirit1:5 Jesus promises baptism with the Holy Spirit 1:8 They will receive power from the Holy Spirit to be witnesses 1:16 The Holy Spirit spoke through David in the Psalms 1:24-26 God chooses Matthias to continue as witness because Judas betrayed
2	Apostle Peter2:32 Peter claims to be a witness of the resurrection	Judea (centre Jerusalem) Jerusalem	JewsJews from every nation (all directions around Jerusalem)	Jewish Pentecost2:4 The Spirit fills them and enables them to speak in other tongues 2:17-18 God had promised to pour out his Spirit on all people in Joel – this is the sign of salvation 2:33 The exalted Christ, at the right hand of the Father, pours out the Spirit 2:38 Those who repent and are baptised will also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit 2:42-47 God does miracles, strengthens and increases the church	2:13 Some make fun of the tongue speaking and attribute it to drunknness2:23 The Jews put Jesus to death with the help of wicked men
3-5	Peter and John3:15 Peter claims to be a witness of the resurrection		3:11 Worshippers in the temple	3 Miracle with lame man allows Peter to address the onlookers	3:13 Jews killed the Christ
4	4:13 Peter and John are unschooled, ordinary men.4:20 They cannot help speaking about what they have seen and heard 4:33 Apostles continue to testify Barnabas introduced		Sanhedrin (in opposition to the message)	4:8 The Holy Spirit fills Peter and enables him to speak the word of God4:25 The Holy Spirit spoke through David 4:31 After persecution, all the believers are filled with the Holy Spirit and enabled to speak the word of God boldly	4:1-4 Priests, captain of the temple guard, Sadducees put Peter and Jogn in prison4:5-22 Sanhedrin commands them not to speak in the name of Jesus 4:24-30 Opposition fulfilment of Psalm 2 – the nations against the anointed. 4:27 Jews killed Christ
5:1-16				5:3, 9 Ananias and Sapphira lie to and test the Holy Spirit, and are killed by God for it5:13 Retribution by Holy Spirit ensures that insincere people do not join the church, although many do still join 5:32 The Holy Spirit is a witness together with Peter and the apostles	5:3, 9 Ananias and Sapphira lie to Holy Spirit and die
5:17-42	5:32 The Holy Spirit is called a witness			5:39 Gamaliel realises that this cannot be stopped if it is from God	5:17-42 The Sanhedrin opposes and imprisons the apostles5:41 The apostles rejoice that they are counted worthy of suffering for the sake of the Name
6:1-7	The Seven		The Seven given the responsibility for the Grecian Jews	6:3,5 A criterion for choosing the seven is that they are full of the Holy Spirit
6:8-7:60	Stephen – killed for his witness		Grecian Jews (who oppose the message)	6:10 The synagogue of the freedmen could stand up neither against Stephen nor the Spirit by whom he spoke7:51 Stephen’s charge against the Jews is that they resist the Holy Spirit 7:55 Stephen’s vision of glory happens as he is full of the Holy Spirit	6:8-7:60 Opposition is from the “Synagogue of the Freedmen” – Grecian Jews6:12-14 False witnesses 7 The whole speech is about the rejection of God’s prophets by the people of Israel 7:54-60 Stephen killed
8:1-25	8:1 First mention of Saul (in opposition to message)Those scattered by persecution preach where they go Philip Peter and John	JudeaSamaria	Samaritans	Samaritan Pentecost8:6 Phillip does miraculous signs and the crowds pay attention 8:14-17 The Samaritans receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, subsequent to their baptism into the name of Christ 8:18-19 The Spirit is given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands; Simon tries to buy this ability	8:1-3 Saul is part of persecution8:20 Simon magus tries to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit with money
8:26-40	Philip	The south road	Unclean proselyte (Ethiopian Eunuch)	8:29, 39 The Spirit guides Philip to and form the Ethiopian Eunuch
9:1-31	Saul’s conversion – announced as chosen instrument to bring gospel to Gentiles, accepted by Barnabas and Jerusalem church	Mediterranean Coast (centre Antioch)	GentilesSaul announced as chosen instrument to bring gospel to Gentiles & Israel	9:10-16 The Lord tells Ananias to baptise Saul in a vision9:17 Saul is filled with the Holy Spirit then baptised 9:31 The Holy Spirit encouraged, grew and strengthened the church in a time of peace	9:4-5 Saul is actually persecuting Jesus9:16 The Lord predicts the suffering of Saul 9:23-25 Jews conspire to kill Saul 9:29 Grecian Jews try to kill him
9:32-42	(Peter)	Lydda and Joppa	(Jews)	9:42 Many believe in the Lord as Peter does miraculous healings
10:1-11:18	10:39-41 Peter and the apostles are chosen witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection	Caesarea	God fearers – household of Cornelius.	10:9-16 A God-given vision encourages Peter to go to the “unclean” Gentiles10:19, 11:12 The Holy Spirit guides Peter to the Gentiles 10:38 God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit Gentile Pentecost 10:44-48 The Holy Spirit comes upon the Gentile believers, enabling them to speak in tongues and praise God, so they are baptised with water 11:15-16 This is seen as a “baptism with the Holy Spirit” 11:18 God granted the Gentiles repentance
11:19-30	Those scattered by the persecutionBarnabas encourages church and brings Saul	Phonecia, Cyprus, Antioch	Greeks	11:24 Barnabas is full of the Holy Spirit11:28 The Holy Spirit works through Agabus in Antioch to predict the famine
12	(Peter, Saul, Barnabas, John Mark)	(Jerusalem)	(Jews)	12 God miraculously saves Peter and the whole church from Herod	12 Herod persecutes church to gain favour with Jews12:2 Apostle James killed 12:3 Peter arrested and imprisoned
13-14	Apostle Paulwith Barnabas and John Mark 13:31 The witnesses to the resurrection are important part of the argument to the Jews	Phrygia / Galatia – journey 1Cyprus Pisidian Antioch Iconium Lystra	Gentiles: Sergius Paulus (proconsul), God-fearers, those appointed for eternal lifeJews: some Jews believe 13:46-47 Paul deliberately turns away from the Jews and to the Gentiles	13:2-4 The Holy Spirit chooses and sends Barnabas and Saul13:9 Saul opposes Elymas the sorcerer full of the Holy Spirit 13:52 In Pisidian Antioch the disciples are full of joy and the Holy Spirit 14:3 God confirms Paul’s message by signs and wonders	13:50 Jealous Jews stir up persecution and expel Paul from the city.14:5 A plot between unbelieving Jews and Gentiles to stone Paul and company 14:11-13 The Lystran crowds think that Paul and Barnabas are Greek gods 14:19-20 Paul is stoned almost to death 14:22 Paul says to disciples “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God”
15		(Jerusalem)	Debate: do the Gentiles have to be circumcised?	15:8, 12 The giving of the Holy Spirit is evidence that God had accepted the Gentiles15:28 The Holy Spirit is at work in the letter from the council of Jerusalem	15:1 False teaching within the church: circumcision prerequisite to salvation
16:1-17:15	with Silas and Timothy	Macedonia / Achaia / Asia (centre Ephesus) – journeys 2 & 3Macedonia PhilippiThessalonicaBerea	Timothy: Half Greek, half JewLydia: worshipper of God Philippian jailer Many Gentiles Only a few Jews in Thessaolica, but many in Berea	16:6-7 The Spirit prevents them from entering Asia and Bithynia and instead directs them to Macedonia. Against Paul’s original intentions to cover old ground, the Holy Spirit wants him to break new ground	16:19 The crowds have Paul and Silas put in prison. The real reason: they exorcised a spirit and stopped a profitable business. The proffered reason: they are advocating unlawful practices.17:5 Jealous Jews stir up a mob from the marketplace and drag them before the city officials. The proffered reason: they are defying Caesar’s decrees and saying there is another king. 17:13 the Jews go from Thessalonica even to Berea 17:14 Paul stirs up more trouble than anybody else
17:16-18:17	with Priscilla and Aquila	Achaia AthensCorinth	A few AtheniansThe synagogue ruler in Ephesus 18:6 Again, Paul leaves the Jews who oppose him and goes next door into the house of a Gentile	18:9-10 The Lord encourages Paul in a vision and he stays in Corinth for 1½ years	18:6 The Jews oppose Paul and become abusive18:12 The jealous Jews make a united attack on Paul. The proffered reason: Paul is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law, thus invalidating Christianity under Roman law. The proconsul refuses to listen
18:18-19:41	with Priscilla and Aquilawith Apollos	Asia (Ephesus)	(John the Baptist’s believers)19:9 Again, Paul leaves the Jews who oppose him and goes into a Gentile lecture hall. 19:10 All the Jews and Greeks in the province of Asia	19:1-6 The Spirit comes upon those who had only been baptised with John’s baptism19:11-12 Paul does extraordinary miracles 19:21 Paul’s plan to go to Jerusalem is “in the Spirit”	19:9 Jews in the synagogue publicly malign the word19:13-16 Seven sons of Sceva try to invoke the name of Paul and Jesus but fail 19:23-41 Demetrius stirs up the crowd to get rid of Paul. The real reason: he is losing business from idol making. The proffered reason: the goddess Artemis will be discredited. But the assembly is dismissed.
20-28	22:15, 26:16 Paul identifies himself as a witness of the risen Lord Jesus	Rome	Looking to the future – “the ends of the earth”	20:22 Paul is compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem20:23 The Holy Spirit warns Paul that prisons and hardship await him 20:28 The Holy Spirit has established the overseers of the Ephesian church 21:4 The disciples urge Paul not to go to Jerusalem through the Spirit 21:11 The Holy Spirit warns Paul of his imprisonment through Agabus 28:25 The Holy Spirit spoke through Isaiah	See below under “parallels”

Summary of Themes

Opposition and suffering

Reason for the opposition

• 4:24-30 Opposition fulfilment of Psalm 2 – the nations against the anointed.
• 5:41 The apostles rejoice that they are counted worthy of suffering for the sake of the Name
• 9:4-5 Saul is actually persecuting Jesus
• 9:16 The Lord predicts the suffering of Saul
• 14:22 Paul says to disciples “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God”
• 20-28 To see the gospel go out to the ends of the earth

Opposition to Christ himself

• 9:16 The Lord predicts the suffering of Saul: “for my name”
• 2:23 The Jews put Jesus to death with the help of wicked men
• 3:13 Jews killed the Christ
• 4:27 Jews killed Christ
• 7 The whole speech is about the rejection of God’s prophets by the people of Israel

From Jealous Jews

• 2:13 Some make fun of the tongue speaking and attribute it to drunknness
• 4:1-4 Priests, captain of the temple guard, Sadducees put Peter and John in prison
• 4:5-22 Sanhedrin commands them not to speak in the name of Jesus
• 5:17-42 The Sanhedrin opposes and imprisons the apostles
• 6:8-7:60 Opposition is from the “Synagogue of the Freedmen” – Grecian Jews
• 6:12-14 False witnesses
• 7:54-60 Stephen killed
• 9:23-25 Jews conspire to kill Saul
• 9:29 Grecian Jews try to kill Saul
• 13:50 Jealous Jews stir up persecution and expel Paul from the city.
• 14:5 A plot between unbelieving Jews and Gentiles to stone Paul and company
• 14:19-20 Paul is stoned almost to death
• 17:5 Jealous Jews stir up a mob from the marketplace and drag them before the city officials. The proffered reason: they are defying Caesar’s decrees and saying there is another king.
• 17:13 the Jews go from Thessalonica even to Berea
• 18:6 The Jews oppose Paul and become abusive
• 18:12 The jealous Jews make a united attack on Paul. The proffered reason: Paul is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law, thus invalidating Christianity under Roman law. The proconsul refuses to listen
• 19:9 Jews in the synagogue publicly malign the word
• 20-28 It is Jews who are constantly behind the attacks on Paul

From Gentiles

• 14:5 A plot between unbelieving Jews and Gentiles to stone Paul and company
• 16:19 The crowds have Paul and Silas put in prison. The real reason: they exorcised a spirit and stopped a profitable business. The proffered reason: they are advocating unlawful practices.
• 19:23-41 Demetrius stirs up the crowd to get rid of Paul. The real reason: he is losing business from idol making. The proffered reason: the goddess Artemis will be discredited. But the assembly is dismissed.
• 20-28 The Gentiles are accomplices of the Jews in their attacks on Paul

From worldly authorities

• 12 Herod persecutes church to gain favour with Jews
• 17:5 Jealous Jews stir up a mob from the marketplace and drag them before the city officials. The proffered reason: they are defying Caesar’s decrees and saying there is another king.
• 18:12 The jealous Jews make a united attack on Paul. The proffered reason: Paul is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law, thus invalidating Christianity under Roman law. The proconsul refuses to listen.
• 20-28 Both Roman and Jewish authorities are involved in the trials of Paul

From “believers”

• 5:3, 9 Ananias and Sapphira lie to Holy Spirit and die
• 8:20 Simon magus tries to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit with money
• 14:11-13 The Lystran crowds think that Paul and Barnabas are Greek gods
• 15:1 False teaching within the church: circumcision prerequisite to salvation
• 19:13-16 Seven sons of Sceva try to invoke the name of Paul and Jesus but fail
• 20:29-30 Paul predicts the coming of false teachers even from within the church

Parallels between the suffering of Paul in Acts 20-28 and the suffering of Jesus in Luke

Here Paul makes a journey to Jerusalem in order to suffer. Many of the above themes reach their climax. There are many parallels between Jesus and Paul’s suffering:

Parallel	Luke	Acts
They both resolutely set out for Jerusalem	9:51	19:21
Predictions of suffering	9:22 by Jesus	20:16, 20:22-24, 21:4, 21:10-14 by Paul and the Holy Spirit
Predictions of resurrection	9:22	20:7-12 Is Eutychus being raised from the dead a clue about what will happen to Paul as a result of his sufferings? A “resurrection” clue?
Teaching followers and preparing them for the “departure”	9-19	20:13-38 To the Ephesian elders.
In front of the crowdsA crowd gathers Accused of leading a rebellion Seized by the crowd Flogging False accusations The Jews stir up people Mob rule They shout for him to die The secular ruler is not in control	22:47 – 23:2522:47 22:52 22:54 22:63 23:2 23:5 23:18 23:20 23:24	21:27 – 22:2921:28 21:38 21:30 22:24 21:28 21:28 22:22 22:22 22:29
TrialsThe Sanhedrin The Roman governor The king	22:47 – 23:2522:66-71 23:1-7 Pilate 23:8-12 Herod	22:30 – 26:3222:30-23:11 24 Felix, 25:1-12 Festus 25:13-26:32 Agrippa
Both Jesus and Paul are in complete control of their situation and are achieving their goal	23:43, 24:46-47Jesus’ goal in suffering: to die for the forgiveness of sins	27-28Paul’s goal in suffering: to get to Rome so that the gospel might go to the world

The Holy Spirit

At work in the past

Through the Old Testament prophets

• 1:16 The Holy Spirit spoke through David in the Psalms
• 4:25 The Holy Spirit spoke through David
• 28:25 The Holy Spirit spoke through Isaiah

Through Jesus

• 1:2 Jesus gave instructions through the Spirit
• 1:5 Jesus promises baptism with the Holy Spirit
• 10:38 God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit

Enabling the disciples to bear witness

• 1:8 They will receive power from the Holy Spirit to be witnesses
• 1:24-26 God chooses Matthias to continue as witness because Judas betrayed
• 4:8 The Holy Spirit fills Peter and enables him to speak the word of God
• 4:31 After persecution, all the believers are filled with the Holy Spirit and enabled to speak the word of God boldly
• 5:32 The Holy Spirit is a witness together with Peter and the apostles
• 6:3,5 A criterion for choosing the seven is that they are full of the Holy Spirit
• 7:55 Stephen’s vision of glory happens as he is full of the Holy Spirit
• 11:24 Barnabas is full of the Holy Spirit

Providing signs and wonders, further enabling the disciples to bear witness

• 1:8 They will receive power from the Holy Spirit to be witnesses
• 3 Miracle with lame man allows Peter to address the onlookers
• 8:6 Phillip does miraculous signs and the crowds pay attention
• 9:42 Many believe in the Lord as Peter does miraculous healings
• 13:9 Saul opposes Elymas the sorcerer full of the Holy Spirit
• 14:3 God confirms Paul’s message by signs and wonders
• 19:11-12 Paul does extraordinary miracles

As a sign of salvation

• 2:4 The Spirit fills them and enables them to speak in other tongues
• 2:17-18 God had promised to pour out his Spirit on all people in Joel – this is the sign of salvation
• 2:33 The exalted Christ, at the right hand of the Father, pours out the Spirit
• 2:38 Those who repent and are baptised will also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
• 8:14-17 The Samaritans receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, subsequent to their baptism into the name of Christ
• 9:17 Saul is filled with the Holy Spirit then baptised
• 10:44-48 The Holy Spirit comes upon the Gentile believers, enabling them to speak in tongues and praise God, so they are baptised with water
• 11:15-16 This is seen as a “baptism with the Holy Spirit”
• 15:8, 12 The giving of the Holy Spirit is evidence that God had accepted the Gentiles
• 19:1-6 The Spirit comes upon those who had only been baptised with John’s baptism

Directing the plan of evangelism

• 8:29, 39 The Spirit guides Philip to and form the Ethiopian Eunuch
• 9:10-16 The Lord tells Ananias to baptise Saul in a vision
• 10:9-16 A God-given vision encourages Peter to go to the “unclean” Gentiles
• 10:19, 11:12 The Holy Spirit guides Peter to the Gentiles
• 11:28 The Holy Spirit works through Agabus in Antioch to predict the famine
• 13:2-4 The Holy Spirit chooses and sends Barnabas and Saul
• 16:6-7 The Spirit prevents them from entering Asia and Bithynia and instead directs them to Macedonia. Against Paul’s original intentions to cover old ground, the Holy Spirit wants him to break new ground.
• 19:21 Paul’s plan to go to Jerusalem is “in the Spirit”
• 20:22 Paul is compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem
• 20:23 The Holy Spirit warns Paul that prisons and hardship await him
• 21:4 The disciples urge Paul not to go to Jerusalem through the Spirit
• 21:11 The Holy Spirit warns Paul of his imprisonment through Agabus

Strengthening the established churches

• 2:42-47 God does miracles, strengthens and increases the church
• 5:13 Retribution by Holy Spirit ensures that insincere people do not join the church, although many do still join
• 9:31 The Holy Spirit encouraged, grew and strengthened the church in a time of peace
• 12 God miraculously saves Peter and the whole church from Herod
• 13:52 In Pisidian Antioch the disciples are full of joy and the Holy Spirit
• 15:28 The Holy Spirit is at work in the letter from the council of Jerusalem
• 18:9-10 The Lord encourages Paul in a vision and he stays in Corinth for 1½ years
• 20:28 The Holy Spirit has established the overseers of the Ephesian church

Opposed

• 5:3, 9 Ananias and Sapphira lie to and test the Holy Spirit, and are killed by God for it
• 6:10 The synagogue of the freedmen could stand up neither against Stephen nor the Spirit by whom he spoke
• 7:51 Stephen’s charge against the Jews is that they resist the Holy Spirit
• 8:18-19 The Spirit is given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands; Simon tries to buy this ability

The message

Passage	Preacher	Location	Recipients	Creation	Sin	Death of Jesus	Resur-rection (esp. of Jesus)	Witnesses to resurrection	Lordship of Jesus	Holy Spirit	Fulfillment of OT	Salvation	All nations	The future	Call for Response	Result of response
2:14-40	Peter	Jerusalem	Jews from all nations		Jews killed Christ	b/c of God’s purposeb/c of people’s sin	Shows that he is descendant of David, Messiah	Y	Both Lord and Christ	Jesus now pouring Spirit outSpirit promised to penitent	Joel	From this corrupt generation			RepentBe baptised	Forgiveness
3:12-26	Peter	Jerusalem temple	Temple worshippers		Jews killed Christ	b/c Jews killed him (in ignorance)b/c prophets said Christ would suffer	Glorified by GodGod raised him from the dead	Y	Jesus is the Christ – with God in heaven		Prophets predicted suffering of ChristMoses predicted coming of a prophet All prophets have foretold this	Lame man healed through faith in JesusChrist will return from heaven to restore everything		Christ will return from heaven to restore everything – times of refreshing	RepentTurn to God	Sins wiped outTimes of refreshing Sending of the Christ
4:2	Apostles	Jerusalem	Jews				“In Jesus the resurrection of the dead”		“In Jesus the resurrection of the dead”			“In Jesus the resurrection of the dead”		“In Jesus the resurrection of the dead”
4:8-12	Peter	Jerusalem	Sanhedrin		Jews killed ChristRejected the “capstone”	Jews crucified	God raised from dead		“Jesus Christ of Nazareth”Stone has become the capstone		Psalm 118 – Jesus is the rejected stone become the capstone	Lame man healed in Christ’s nameSalvation only found in name of Jesus
5:29-32			Sanhedrin		Jews killed Christ	Jews killed	God raised from dead	YHoly Spirit is witness also	Jesus exalted to right hand of God as Prince	Witness of resurrectionGiven to those who obey Jesus		Jesus exalted to right hand of God as saviour			Jesus to give repentance to IsraelObedience	Jesus to give forgiveness of sins to IsraelHoly Spirit given
7	Stephen	Jerusalem	Synagogue of Freedmen		Rejecting prophets. Killed Christ	Betrayed and murdered by Jews			Jesus standing at right hand of God	People always resist the Holy Spirit	Holy Spirit always resisted by Israel
8:35	Phillip	Southern Judah	Ethiopian Eunuch		Jesus died for sin of people	Predicted in Isaiah – for the sin of the peopl					Jesus fulfills Isaiah				Baptism
9:19-22	Saul	Damascus	Jews						Jesus is Son of God, Christ
10:34-48	Peter	Caesarea	Household of Cornelius			Jews killed Jesus	God raised him from the dead	God caused Jesus to be seenApostles are special witnesses	Jesus Christ is Lord of allJesus appointed as judge	God anointed Jesus with Holy Spirit and power		Jesus healed those under power of devilPeace through Jesus	God accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right	Jesus appointed as judge of living and dead	Believe in Jesus	Forgiveness of sins
13:16-41	Paul	Pisidian Antioch synagogue	Jews and god-fearing Gentiles		Forgiveness of sins and justification is proclaimed through Jesus	Done by JewsFulfillment of prophets	God raised himProves he is the son of David	Those who had travelled with him	Jesus greater than John the Baptist		Brief OT history:Jesus is son of David, promised saviour Jesus’ death fulfils prophets Jesus’ resurrection fulfils Psalms	Jesus is saviourSalvation is for us. Forgiveness of sins proclaimed through Jesus Justification where law is impotent	Preached to both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles	If you scoff you will perish	BelieveDo not scoff	Forgiveness, justification where law of Moses is impotent
14:15-17	Paul	Lystra	Crowds who think Paul is a god	The Living God made heaven, earth, sea, creatures	Pagan idolatryIn the past, God overlooked sin							God gave some testimony in the past – e.g. rain, food, etc	In the past, God overlooked gentile idolatry, but now they should turn to him		Turn to living God
16:31	Paul	Philippi	Jailer									Contingent on belief			Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ	You will be saved
17:2-4	Paul	Thessalonica	Jews in synagogue			Scriptures show that christ had to suffer	Scriptures show that christ had to suffer		Jesus is the Christ		Paul reasons and explains from the Scriptures
17:18	Paul	Athens	Philosophers				“The good news about Jesus and the resurrection”					“The good news about Jesus and the resurrection”		“The good news about Jesus and the resurrection”
17:22-31	Paul	Athens	Philosophers	God made the worldLord of heaven and earth Sustains all men	God is not an idol or statue. This is ignorance (God overlooked in the past)		Proof that Jesus is the eschatological judge		Resurrection is proof that Jesus is the eschatological judge			God set up nations so that men would seek for him	God set up nations so that men would seek for him, but he is not far from us. All people commanded to repent	A day is set when God will judge the world by the man he has appointed	Repent	Implied: escape from judgment to come
19:4	Paul	Ephesus	Believers in John the Baptist						Jesus was the one who came after John						Believe in the one coming after John – Jesus

Summary of the message

Passage	Preacher	Location	Recipients	Creation	All nations	Sin	Resurrection of Jesus	Witnesses to resurrection	Lordship of Jesus	Salvation	The future	Call for Response	Result of response	Holy Spirit	Death of Jesus	Fulfillment of OT
One-sentence summaries
4:2	Apostles	Jerusalem	Jews				X		X	X	X
16:31	Paul	Philippi	Jailer							X		X	X
17:18	Paul	Athens	Philosophers				X			X	X
19:4	Paul	Ephesus	Believers in John the Baptist						X			X
To Jews
2:14-40	Peter	Jerusalem	Jews from all nations			X	X	X	X	X		X	X	X	X	X
3:12-26	Peter	Jerusalem temple	Temple worshippers			X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X		X	X
4:8-12	Peter	Jerusalem	Sanhedrin			X	X		X	X					X	X
5:29-32			Sanhedrin			X	X	X	X	X		X	X	X	X
7	Stephen	Jerusalem	Synagogue of Freedmen			X			X					X	X	X
9:19-22	Saul	Damascus	Jews						X
17:2-4	Paul	Thessalonica	Jews in synagogue				X		X						X	X
To God-fearing Gentiles
8:35	Phillip	Southern Judah	Ethiopian Eunuch			X						X			X	X
10:34-48	Peter	Caesarea	Household of Cornelius		X		X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
13:16-41	Paul	Pisidian Antioch synagogue	Jews and god-fearing Gentiles		X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X		X	X
To pagan Gentiles
14:15-17	Paul	Lystra	Crowds who think Paul is a god	X	X	X				X		X
17:22-31	Paul	Athens	Philosophers	X	X	X	X		X	X	X	X	X

Overall message

Believe in the Lord Jesus for salvation because his resurrection means our resurrection.

To Jews

• Lordship of Jesus is most prominent
• “Sin” described as rejecting Jesus or his prophets
• Themes of creation and all nations absent

To God-fearing Gentiles

• Theme of “all nations” added

To Pagan Gentiles

• Theme of “creation” added (in addition to “all nations”)
• “Sin” described as idolatry
• Themes of Old Testament fulfilment and Jesus’ death are absent