Outline of Acts

Dr. Gail E. Terrell
Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Hamilton, Ohio

  1. Churches fulfilling the commission in Jerusalem, Judaea, and Samaria:   the ministry of Peter and other believers to the Jews (chapters 1-12).
    1. Jesus meets with His church at Jerusalem, promises to baptize the church in the Holy Spirit not many days hence, and ascends into heaven (1:1-11).
    2. The church at Jerusalem holds a prayer meeting, then has a business meeting to elect Matthias as apostle to replace Judas (1:12-26).
    3. The church at Jerusalem is baptized in the Holy Spirit to demonstrate once for all that Christians are to serve God in His church and no longer in the temple (chapter 2).
      1. The baptism (immersion) in the Holy Spirit of the church at Jerusalem and the accompanying fillings of the Holy Spirit were similar to the Old Testament baptisms (immersions) of the tabernacle and temple in the cloud of God and the accompanying fillings of the glory of God (Exodus 40:34 – cloud of God immerses the newly built tabernacle; I Kings 8:10-11 – cloud of God immerses the newly built temple).   In all instances where God has immersed a new pattern of worship and service, these baptisms have served to announce God’s approval of the new pattern of worship and service so that His people would not be confused by counterfeits.   In all instances, these baptisms were not continually repeated when approval was given.   The Lord’s church has already been baptized in the Holy Spirit, and no baptisms are occurring today or need to reoccur!
      2. On the day of Pentecost, the administration of churches changed from Christ to the Holy Spirit.   Since Jesus was no longer physically present, He provided the invisible Holy Spirit to be present with each church at all times:   John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.   John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:   for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:   and he will shew you things to come.
      3. No change in policy, program, or purpose occurred at Pentecost.   No change in the gospel, dispensations, or church work is suggested.   The Holy Spirit had come to the church to comfort and encourage them as Christ had done when He was physically present (John 16:7).
      4. The day of Pentecost was on the first day of the week (Sunday), the day of the resurrection.   Pentecost came on the first day of the week 50 days after (Leviticus 23:15-16) the resurrection of Christ.   Christians still meet on the Lord’s Day, the day of resurrection, the first day of the week and not the Old Testament Sabbath, not Saturday, not the day our Lord was in the grave!
      5. About 3000 people were saved and ADDEDto the church that already existed before Pentecost, because you cannot add to something that does not already exist!   (Acts 2:41,47).
    4. Peter heals the lame man at the temple gate and preaches to the curious crowd (chapter 3).
    5. Peter and John arrested for witnessing (chapter 4).
    6. Ananias and Sapphira lie to the Holy Spirit and are killed; apostles are imprisoned but continue to witness (chapter 5).
    7. The church at Jerusalem selects 7 deacons (servants) to assist the apostles; Paul helps kill deacon Stephen (chapter 7).
    8. Saul (Paul) leads persecution against the church at Jerusalem, whose members scatters abroad; however, these faithful church members still witness for Christ (example, Philip preaches in Samaria): 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word (chapter 8).
    9. Saul (Paul) is marvelously saved on the road to Damascus.   Jesus tells Paul that persecution of the Lord’s church body is the same as persecuting Christ Himself.   Peter heals Aeneas and raises the dead Dorcas (chapter 9).
    10. Peter preaches the Gospel to the first gentiles; Cornelius and family are saved.   Their special baptism in the Holy Spirit shows all skeptics that gentiles are to be given the Gospel also!   ( chapter 10).
    11. Peter explains to Jewish Christians what occurred as he preached in the house of Cornelius.   When Peter describes their baptism in the Holy Spirit, the Jewish Christians agree …saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life ( 11:18). ( chapter 11).
    12. Herod persecutes Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter, who is then delivered by an angel.   Herod dies a terrible death (chapter 12).

  2. Churches fulfilling the commission unto the uttermost part of the earth:   the ministry of Paul to the gentiles (chapters 13-28).   For more detailed outline of Paul’s life, see A Harmony of the Life of St. Paul by Frank Goodwin, Baker Book House, 1964.
    1. Paul’s early life (review 7:58-12:25 ).
      1. Born in about 1 A.D.
      2. Converted in about 36 A.D.
      3. Preparation, 36-45 A.D.
        1. In Damascus and Arabia 3 years, 37-39 A.D.
        2. Escape from Damascus and first visit to church at Jerusalem, 39 A.D.
        3. In Tarsus, Syria, Cilicia 4-5 years, 39-43 A.D.
        4. Year in church at Antioch with Barnabas, 44 A.D.
        5. Second visit to church at Jerusalem with alms, 45 A.D.
    2. Paul’s first missionary journey lasting 2 years, 45-47 A.D. (13:1-14:28).   Paul was sent out as a missionary by the church that was at Antioch (13:1-3).
      1. Paul returns to church at Antioch for a long time (about 2 years), 48-49 A.D.
    3. Third visit to church at Jerusalem, council at Jerusalem church concerning Judaizers, 50 A.D. (15:1-35).
    4. Paul’s second missionary journey lasting 3 years, 51-54 A.D.   Theme for Paul’s epistles written during this journey is The Second Coming of Christ.   (Acts 15:36-18:23).
      1. I Thessalonians written at Corinth, 52 A.D.
      2. II Thessalonians written at Corinth, 53 A.D.
      3. Fourth visit to church at Jerusalem, 54 A.D.
    5. Paul’s third missionary journey, lasting 4 years, 54-58 A.D.   Theme for Paul’s epistles written during this journey is The Cross of Christ ( 18:23-21:16).
      1. I Corinthians written at Ephesus, Spring of 57 A.D.
      2. II Corinthians written in Macedonia, Autumn of 57 A.D.
      3. Galatians written at Corinth, Winter of 57 A.D.
      4. Romans written at Corinth, Spring of 58 A.D.
    6. Imprisonment in Israel, 58-60 A.D.
      1. Paul’s fifth visit to the church at Jerusalem.   Paul arrested in the Temple, 58 A.D. (21:7-23:32).
      2. Imprisonment in Caesarea for 2 years, 58-60 A.D. ( 23:31-26:32).
      3. Journey to Rome, 60 ( Autumn)-61 (Spring) A.D. (27:1-28:16).
    7. Paul’s first Roman imprisonment lasting 2 years, 61-63 A.D.   Theme for Paul’s first prison epistles is The Person and Character of Christ (28:14-31).
      1. Philemon written, 61 or 62 A.D.
      2. Colossians written, 61 or 62 A.D.
      3. Ephesians written, 61 or 62 A.D.
      4. Philippians written, 63 A.D.
      5. Hebrews probably written during this imprisonment.
    8. Paul’s journeys between the first and second Roman imprisonments, 4 or 5 years of freedom, 63-67 A.D.   Theme for Paul’s epistles written during this latter part of his life is Pastoral Guidance.
      1. I Timothy written in Macedonia, 67 A.D.
      2. Titus written at Ephesus, 67 A.D.
    9. Paul’s second Roman imprisonment, 68 A.D.
      1. II Timothy written at Rome, 68 A.D.
      2. Paul martyred for the faith, 68 A.D.