DEGREE CLASS

STUDENT NAME: JACOB STEPHEN OLEBOITORORI

ADMISSION NO. 0162

COURSE: GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

TRAINING CENTER KINGDOM LIFE UNIVERSITY –HOUSE OF

HOPE

LECTURER PROFESSOR BENSON KIPTOO

GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

AUTHOR
The author of the book of Acts does not name himself. The evidence
outside the scriptures and inferences from the book itself lead to the
conclusion that the author was Luke. The earliest of the external
testimonies appears in the mararian canon (C.A.D 170) where the
explicit statement is made that Luke was the author of both the third
gospel and the acts.
Luke the companion of Paul in the description of the happening in acts,
certain passages make use of the pronoun “we” At these points the
author includes himself as a companion of Paul in his travels (16:10,
20:5-15, 21:1-18). A historian as careful with details as this author
proves to be would have good reason for choosing to use “we” in some
places and ‘they’ elsewhere. The author was therefore probably present
with Paul at the particular events described in the “we” sections. These
“we” passages include the period of Paul’s two year imprisonment at
Rome. During these time Paul wrote among other letters, Philemon and
Colossians. In them he sends greetings from his companions and Luke is
included among them Philemon 23-24 Colossians 4:10-17 in fact after
eliminating those who for one reason or another would not fit the
requirements for the author of acts, Luke is left as the most likely
candidate.
Luke the physician. Although it cannot be proved that the author of acts
was a physician simply from his vocabulary, the words he used and traits
and education reflected in his writings fit well his role as a physician
(28:6) it is true that the doctors of the first century did not have a
specialized a vocabulary as that of doctors today, but there are some
usages in Luke .Acts that seem to suggest that a medical man was the
author of those books. And it should be remembered that Paul uses the
term “doctor” in describing Luke Colossian 4:14.
DATE
Two dates are possible for the writing of this book (1) C.A.D 63, soon
after the last event recorded in the book and (2) C20 or even later. The
earlier date is supported by silence are about the events while
arguments from silence are not conclusive. It is perhaps significant that
the book contains no allusion to events that happened after the close
of Paul’s two year imprisonment in Rome e.g. the burning of Rome and
the persecution of the Christians there AD 64, the martyrdom of peter
and Paul (possibly 67) and the destruction of Jerusalem (70) and the
destruction of knew the outcome of the trail Paul was waiting for
(28:30) why did he not record it at the close of Acts. Those who prefer
the later date hold that 1:8 reveals one of the purposes Luke had in
writing his history and that this purpose influenced the way the book
ended. He wanted to show how the church penetrated the world of his
day in ever widening circles (Jerusalem Judea, Samaria, the ends of the
earth) until it reached Rome, the world’s political and cultural Centre.
RECIPIENT
Theophillus the recipient of the book is the same person addressed in
the volume the gospel of Luke introduction to Luke. Recipient and
purpose.
CHARACTERISTICS
1. Accurate historical detail. Every page of Acts abounds with sharp,
precise, details to the delight of the historian. The account covers
a period of about 30 years and teaches across the lands from
Jerusalem to Rome .Hostile criticism has not succeeded in
disproving the detailed accuracy of Luke’s political and
geographical designations.
2. Dramatic descriptions-Luke skillfully used of speeches contributes
to the drama of his narratives. Not only are they careful spaced
and well balanced between peter and Paul, but the speeches of a
 number of other individuals add variety and vividness to the
account.
3. Literal excellent-Luke has a large vocabulary compared with other
NT writers and also use those words in literal styles that fit the
cultural settings of the events of the events he is recording.
4. Objective and account- Luke’s carefully arrangement of materials
need not detract from the accuracy of its accord. Divisions and
differences are recognized.
PLAN AND OUTLINE

Luke weaves together different interests and emphasis as he

relates the beginnings and expansions of the church. The design
of his book revolves around us key persons Peter and Paul (2)
important topics and events etc. (3) significant problems and (4)
geographical advances five significant stages.
A Peter and beginnings of the church in Palestine (1:1-12:25).
Throughout Judea Galilee &Samaria (1:1-9:25)
As far as Phoenicia; Cyrus and Anticay (9:32- 12-25)
The expansion of the church from Antioch to Rome 13:11
1. Throughout the region of Phrygia& Galatian (13:1-15:35)
2. Over to Macedonia (15:36-21:15)
3. To Rome (21:17 -28:31)
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

The book of Acts provides a bridge for the writings of the NT.As a
second volume to Luke’s gospel it joins what Jesus began to do
and to teach (1:1) as told in the gospel with what he continues to
do and teach through the apostles preaching and establishment
of the church. Beside s linking to the gospel narratives on the one
hand and apostolic letters on the other. It supplies an account of
the life of Paul from which we can learn the setting for his letters.
Geographically his story spans the land between Jerusalem,
where the church began and Rome the political Centre of the
empire. Historically it recounts the first 30 years of the church.
It is also a bridge that ties the church in its beginning with each
succeeding age. This book may be studied to gain an
understanding principles that ought to govern the church of any
age.
The book of Acts has been called the most beautiful book ever
written. It is also the gospel which is most comprehensive in all
likelihood Lukes readers were gentile Christians. He therefore
explained Jewish custom, and traced the genealogy of Jesus back
to Adam. He also omits items that would be chiefly of interest to
Jews.
The Acts of apostles is the second volume of a historical work
recording the earliest history of Christianity (the first volume is
the gospel which record the ministry of Christ and the new
testament epistles which interpret that ministry to the world at
large).Though the title of the books “Acts of apostles “it does not
deal with the activities of all the apostles. The book of Acts is an
important book for understanding the actions of the apostles,
mostly Paul and Peter, after Jesus ascension into heaven. It is an
important book in understanding how we can be directed by the
Holy Spirit and the role of Jesus lessons in our lives. From the
book of Acts we learn the community of believer’s .And they
devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship
to the breaking of bread and prayers we also learn the power of.
Throughout the book we see God’s power manifested in ministry
of the apostles. This was clearly described as the Holy Spirit and
dwelling and empowering Acts 5:14-15
We learn the priority of prayer which is very important to
believers from the book of Acts. There were need s in the church.
There was a strong movement to care for the believers
particularly widows. The work of the church was spiritual but also
encompassed the entire life of each member prayer was central
and powerful Acts 6:1-4
We can learn from the book off Acts the power of prayer. Acts
12:5 Herod had just initiated an intense persecution of the
church. James, the brother of john was arrested and executed and
scheduled for execution
What happened next demonstrated the power of prayers. Peter
was rescued by an angel and hidden from the Herods grasp and
soon prayer makes a difference especially when there is united
prayer as we have seen here and in Acts 4:31.This lessons that we
learn from the book of Acts we can use it today to help us in
whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.

CENTRAL THEMES OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

The theme of the work of the book of Acts is best summarized in
acts 1111:8. It was ordinary procedure for a historian. At this time
to begin a second volume by summarizing the first volume and
indicating the contents anticipated in his second volume. Luke
summarized the first volume in 1:13
The theme of his second volume is presented in the words of
Jesus. You will be my witness in Jerusalem and in all Judea and
Samaria and to the ends of the earth. This is effect, an outline of
the book of Acts. The main purpose of the book appear to be.
To present a history-the significance of Acts as a historical account
of Christian origins cannot overestimated. It tells of the founding
of the church congregations and evangelistic efforts in the
 apostolic pattern. One of the unique aspects of Christianity is its
form historical foundation, the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
are established in the four narratives and the book of Acts
provides coordinated account of the beginnings of the church

a. HOLY SPIRIT

Holy Spirit is one of the major themes found in the book accts. The
book presents rich theology of the Holy Spirit. It describes him as the
one that empowers the church to live transformed lives and to
evangelize the world. Acts describes the Holy Spirit as the one whose
power enables the spread of the gospel and the kingdom and as the
one who empowers his people for godly living. Before Pentecost in Acts
1:3-11 recorded that Jesus spent forty days between his resurrection
and ascension teaching his apostles Acts 1:3
Timing- notice that when Jesus announced the coming baptism of spirit
the apostles asked if Jesus was about to restore the kingdom to Israel
Acts 1:4-8
Purpose- the words of Jesus to the apostles in acts chapter 1 verse 8
Jesus redacted the apostles to think about the baptism of the spirit in
new ways
Day of Pentecost- Acts 2:1-4 contains this account of the outpouring of
the holy spirit on the church to explore the importance of this event we
see the significance of Pentecost exodus 12, Leviticus 23 and the
tongues and their results Pentecost was held about 50 days after
Passover at times of early harvest. It originally celebrated God’s
provision of sustenance in the land of promise. The miracles of the
tongues at Pentecost was a supernatural ability to speak unlearned
human languages Acts 2:4.The result of the Holy Spirit is that it was
given to empower the apostles to be his godly witness. The power of
the Holy Spirit transformed peter and enabled him to preach such
dynamic and successful gospel message on the day of Pentecost
b) Apostles: This is another theme of Acts before Christ ascended to
continue his ministry to extend his kingdom from Jerusalem to every
ends of the earth through the gospel the apostles were unique for at
least two reasons to begin with the requirements for their office
excluded anyone else from being called as an apostles Acts 1:21-25.
Besides meeting the unique requirements they were unique because
they served at the foundational time in life of the church. They were
authoritative in their witness. The apostle’s authority is seen in many
ways throughout, but for the save of simplicity us. In the function of
their office in God blessings on their ministry .Evident by their power to
perform miracles and it is apparent from the revelation they continued
to receive.
c) The Church – This is another major theme in the book of Acts. The
church that the apostles established.
i. Necessity of the church- Christ commissioned the apostles to
build his church why? The apostles knew that a handful of men
could not take the message of Christ to the whole world by
themselves. They needed an army of witnesses to proclaim the
gospel of the kingdom in every land. They had physical limitations
and temporal limitations their job was to bear witness to Christ by
proclaiming the gospel. They could not by themselves be living
letters to the entire world. The church was not able to evangelize
with the same authority and miraculous confirmation that
attended the apostles preaching Acts 11:19-21. The apostles were
convinced that Jesus would return but they did not know when
Acts 20:25-28
ii. Preparation there are many ways in which the apostles prepared
the church to continue the mission of spreading God’s kingdom
a) Consideration- the apostles instructed the church to remain
faithful to the teachings of the apostles which consisted of
their faithful testimony to Jesus
b) Apostles provision- for designations of church officers such
as elders and deacons
c) How the apostles prepared the church to endure the
hardship that would inevitably come. Acts 14:21-22

CONCLUSION
The book Acts is remarkable work of history and theology.
As Luke wrote it to Theophillus and the early church. He
highlighted the vital importance of spreading the gospel of
the nations of the earth in the power of the holy spirit we
too should dedicate ourselves to the kingdom of god looking
forward to the day that Christ will return to consummate his
eternal kingdom.