From ReformedWord
| Outline of Acts | |
|---|---|
| Acts 1:1 - 28:31 | |
| Super-section | Luke-Acts |
| Contrasts | Outline of Luke |
| Form | through, 3-parts |
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Main article: Acts
Contents |
Most scholars acknowledge there is a division between the ministry of Peter/Stephen (1-12) and the ministry of Paul (13-28), but without having seeing the structure of Luke it is unlikely they would perceive the similarities between 19:20-28:31 and Luke 19:28-24:53. The text itself reveals in 1:8 what the outline of the majority of the text will be. After the Spirit has come to the aforementioned three groups, the remaining section should stand on its own.
| Event | 1-12 | 13-28 |
|---|---|---|
| Confrontation with a magician | 8:9-24 | 13:6-12 |
| Dead person raised to life | 9:26-43 | 20:9-12 |
| Spirit Given by Hands | 8:14-17 | 19:1-6 |
| Appoint Elders/Deacons | 6:1-6 | 14:23 |
| Pharisee Defends in Sanhedrin | 5:34-39 | 23:9 |
| Accusation of Anti-Moses | 6:13,14 | 21:20,21 |
| Christ's Designation | 1:21,22 | 23:11;26:16 |
The Church Before Pentecost (1:1-26)
- Summary for Theophilus 1:1-5 contrast Dedication to Theophilus
- The Ascension 6-11 contrast Luke:The Transfiguration
- Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas 12-26
- 6-11 vs Luke 9.28-36
- Jesus/disciples/mt, white clothes, two men, departure, cloud
The book opens with a connection and completion of what was begun in Luke. Theophilus is addressed again and the Ascension is expanded on. Jesus tells his disciples tha the will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea/Samaria and the Ends of the Earth. The bulk of Acts will be taken up with those three cycles (2:1-19:20).
Also, the Eleven pick Matthias to replace Judas. This selection isn't wrong (despite the confusing use of a lottery), but leaves us hanging: Matthias is never heard from again. Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles who has yet to be identified, and will take up the entire second half of the book.
You will be My Witnesses (2:1-19:20)
Paul as a Type of Christ (19:21-28:31)
The three opening sections have run in parallel for the first three-quarters of Acts. But lastly, the perfect pattern has been marred by an unexpected inclusio. The beginning of the each of the three cycles — and hence the super-section as a whole — was the "filling" by or being "full" of the Holy Spirit. The Third Person of the Trinity came on Pentecost, upon Stephen, and upon Barnabas and Saul. But then He fills Gentiles in Ephesus (19:1-20), at the end of a section. (19:20 follows the conclusory formula "the word of God...increased".)
The next verse follows not the pattern of Acts, but of Luke. The bulk of the Third Gospel (4:14-22:62) is constituted by four sections, each of which begin by narrating a drive "to Jerusalem". Acts 19:21 starts this way as well.
| Jesus' Jerusalem Ministry | Luke 19:28-24:53 | Paul as a Type of Christ | Acts 19:21-28:31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intent to Go | Luke 19:28 | Acts 19:21 | ||
| with 2 | disciples | Luke 19:29 | helpers | Acts 19:22 |
| Good Reception | Triumphal Entry | Luke 19:29-40 | Acts 21:17 | |
| To the Temple | Temple Cleansing | Acts 21:26 | ||
| Sadduccees vs. Scribes | Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection | Acts 23:6-9 | ||
| Take Bread, Break, Thanks | Luke 22:19 | Acts 27:35 | ||
| Mob Seizes | Luke 22:54 | Paul Arrested in the Temple | Acts 21:30 | |
| High Priest's Slap | Luke 22:63,64 | Acts 23:2 | ||
| Four Trials | Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod, Pilate | Sanhedrin, Felix, Festus, Herod Agrippa | ||
| Conclusion | positive note Scripture fulfilled | positive note Scripture fulfilled |
- The Outline: 19:21,22
- Ephesus 19:23-41
- Macedonia 20:1-6
- to Jerusalem 20:7-21:16
- in Jerusalem 21:17-23:30
- Caesarea 23:31-26:32
- Ocean voyage 27:1-44
- Malta 28:1-10
- Rome 28:11-31