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General
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons of the Book of Acts
The Four Periods of the Church’s Growth in the Acts of the Apostles 1. The church’s period of beginning (chap. 1 to 5)------the internal growth------the church came into being and became greater and the key word is fitness. 2. The church’s period of origination (chap. 6-7)------the expansion growth------the church improved and renewed and the key word is revitalization. 3. The church’s period of expansion (chap. 8-12)------the extension growth------the church extended from one places to various places in Palestine and from the church in one place to churches. The key word is function. 4. The church’s period of mobilization (chap. 13-28)------the bridge growth------churches in various mobilized together and they had communion with each other in men and wealth and brought the gospel to the end of the earth (Rome). The key word is mobilization. The Three Sections of Tribulations in the Acts of the Apostles 1. The first paragraph (chap. 1-7)------it ends with Stephen’s being martyred------the witness in Jerusalem. 2. The second paragraph (chap. 8-12)------it ends with James’ being martyred and Peter’ being imprisoned------the witness was spread to Judea and Samaria. 3. The third paragraph (chap. 13-28)------it ends with Paul’s being imprisoned in Rome------the witness was spread to the end of the earth (Rome).(Conclusion: tribulations are for the expansion of witness and bring benefit to the church; the blood of believers is the good seed of the gospel). The Appellation of the Trinity (please note that the verse which is mentioned for the first time is listed here)
1. God the Father: a. God (1:3). b. The Father (1:4). c. The LORD (2:20). d. The Lord our God (2:39). e. The God of Abraham
Isaac
and Jacob (3:13). f. The God of our fathers (3:13). g. The LORD your God (3:22). h. The God of our fathers (5:30). i. The God of glory (7:2). j. The God of Abraham
the God of Isaac
and the God of Jacob (7:32). k. The living God (14:15). l. The Most High God (16:17). m. Lord of heaven and earth (17:24).2. The Son: a. Jesus (1:1). Lord (1:6).b. Jesus who was taken up into heaven (1:11). c. The Lord Jesus (1:21). d. Jesus of Nazareth (2:22). e. God’s Holy One (2:27; See 13:35-37). f. Christ (2:31). g. Jesus Christ (2:38). h. Jesus Christ of Nazareth (3:6). i. God’s servant (3:13). j. The Son of God (3:13). k. The Holy One and the Just (3:14). l. The Prince of life (3:15). m. Jesus Christ (3:20). n. Stone which was rejected (4:11). o. The chief cornerstone (4:11). p. God’s holy Servant Jesus (4:30). q. Prince (5:31). r. Savior (5:31). s. The Just One (7:52). t. The Son of man (7:56). u. Lord of all (10:36). v. Judge of the living and the dead (10:42). w. Lord Jesus Christ (20:21).3. The Holy Spirit: a. The Holy Spirit (1:2). b. The promise of the Father (1:4). c. The Holy Ghost (2:4). d. God’s Spirit (2:17). e. The Spirit of the Lord (5:9). f. The Spirit of Jesus (16:7). The Various Kinds of Preaching 1. “Teaching” (1:1; 4:2
18; 5:21
25
28
42; 11:26; 15:1
35; 18:11
25; 20:20; 21:21
28; 28:31)------teaching and making one learn. 2. “Speaking” (2:4
6
7
11
31; 3:21
22
24; 4:1
17
20
29
31; 5:20
40; 6:10
11
13; 7:6
38
44; 8:25
26; 9:6
27
29; 10:6
7
32
44
46; 11:14
15
19
20; 13:42
46; 14:1
9
25; 16:6
13
14
32; 17:19; 18:9
25; 19:6; 20:30; 21:39; 22:9
10; 23:7
9
18; 26:14
22
26
31; 27:25; 28:21
25)------the friendly
kind
and intimate talk which shows the deepest faith. 3. “Testifying” (2:40; 8:25; 10:42; 18:5; 20:21
23
24; 23:11; 28:23)------testifying solemnly and seriously
as one certifies the facts that he has seen
heard or experienced in the court without holding back anything.)4. “Exhorting” (2:40; 8:31; 9:38; 11:23; 13:42; 14:22; 15:32; 16:9
15
39
40; 19:31; 20:2
12; 21:12; 24:4; 25:2; 27:33
34; 28:14
20)------standing with him and exhorting
persuading
encouraging and teaching him.5. “Preaching” (4:2; 13:5
38; 15:36; 16:17
21; 17:3
13
23; 26:23)------declaring and informing publicly
stating and spreading clearly. 6. “Reporting” (4:23; 5:22
25; 11:13; 12:14
17; 15:27; 16:36; 22:26; 23:16
17
19; 26:20; 28:21)------reporting and conveying the message.7. “Persuading” (5:36
37
40; 12:20; 13:43; 14:19; 17:4; 18:4; 19:8
26; 21:14; 23:21; 26:26
28; 27:11; 28:23
24)------gaining others’ favorable impression and identification by persuasion. 8. “Preaching” (5:42; 8:4
12
25
35
40; 10:36; 11:20; 13:32; 14:7
15
21; 15:35; 16:10; 17:18)------preaching the gospel
declaring the glad tidings and bring in the good news.9. “Proclaiming” (8:5; 9:20; 10:37
42; 15:21; 19:13; 20:25; 28:31)------proclaiming powerfully
solemnly
seriously
warmly
clearly and constantly as the officials who transmit orders.10. “Preaching boldly” (9:27
29; 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 26:26)------saying boldly
stating freely
frankly and without any restraint. 11. “Talking with…” (10:27)------talking with each other.12. “Making many disciples” (14:21)------teaching
admonishing and edifying the disciples. 13. “Reasoning” (17:2
17; 18:4
19; 19:8
9; 20:7
9; 24:12
25)------discussing
talking about and reasoning.14. “Talking” (20:11; 24:26)------friendly and informal talk.15. “Counseling” (27:9
22)------sincerely giving exact counsel and guidance with authority. The Holy Spirit’s Various Works upon Men 1. The commanding and speaking of the Holy Spirit (1:2; 4:25; 6:10; 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2; 21:11;28:15).2. The baptism of the Holy Spirit (1:5; 11:16). 3. The coming of the Holy Spirit (1:8; 8:16; 10:44; 11:15; 19:6).4. The prophesying of the Holy Spirit (1:16; 11:28).5. The being filled by the Holy Spirit (2:4; 4:8
31; 6:3
5; 7:55; 9:17; 11:24; 13:9
52).6. The gifts of the Holy Spirit (2:4; 10:45).7. The pouring of the Holy Spirit (2:17-18
23; 10:45).8. The joy of the Holy Spirit (2:26).9. The gift of the Holy Spirit (2:38; 8:15
17; 10:47; 15:8; 19:2).10. The witness of the Holy Spirit (5:32; 20:23).11. The carrying away of the Holy Spirit (8:39).12. The comfort of the Holy Spirit (9:31).13. The anointing of the Holy Spirit (10:38).14. The sending of the Holy Spirit (13:2).15. The determination of the Holy Spirit (15:28).16. The prohibition and not allowing of the Holy Spirit (16:6-7).17. The appointment of the Holy Spirit (20:28).18. The inspiration of the Holy Spirit (21:4). The Kingdom of God in the Acts of the Apostles 1. Understanding the reality of the kingdom of God by the Lord’s appearance and presence (1:3).2. Trusting the reality of the kingdom of God by the preaching of the Lord’s servants (8:12).3. Entering the reality of the kingdom of God by experiencing tribulations (14:22).4. Experiencing the reality of the kingdom of God by the Lord’s words (19:8-10).5. Manifesting the reality of the kingdom of God by the will of serving the Lord (20:24-26).6. Proving the reality of the kingdom of God by the words in the Bible (28:23-24).7. Explaining the reality of the kingdom of God by the experience of the Lord Jesus Christ (28:31). The Comparison between the Beginning and the End of the Acts of the Apostles 1. The book begins with the revelation of the things which concern the kingdom of God (1:3) and ends by preaching the words of the kingdom of God (28:31). 2. It begins in the upper chamber of the Saints (1:13) and ends in the rented house (28:30). 3. It begins in the middle of the disciples (1:15) and ends among the Gentiles (28:28). 4. It begins with preaching in Jerusalem (2:14) and ends with preaching in Rome (28:16
23
30-31). The Appearance of the Risen Lord and the Effect 1. The appearance of the risen Lord: a. Before the Lord was taken up into heaven (1:3-5
6-11; 10:41-43).b. The moment Stephen was martyred for the Lord (7:55-56). c. The moment Paul was saved (9:3-8; 22:6-11; 26:13-18). d. Before sending Ananias to lay his hands upon Paul (9:10-16). e. Before sending Peter to preach the gospel to the house of Cornelius (10:9-16). f. Before Paul preached in Corinth (18:9-10). g. The moment Paul prayed in the temple in Jerusalem (22:17-21). h. After Paul was taken by force from among men by soldiers in Jerusalem (23: 10-11). 2. The effect of the appearance of the risen Lord: a. Making the disciples know that the Lord is true and living (1:3).b. Making the disciples know the things of the kingdom of God fully (1:3). c. Entrusting the disciples the great mission of preaching the gospel (1:8). d. Making the disciples wait and receive the power that is needed in preaching the gospel (1:8). e. Making the martyr know that he was acceptable to God (7:55-56). f. Making the Lord’s vessel be saved
know the Lord and the church and receive the mission (9:3-16; 22:6-16; 26:13-23). g. Making the Lord’s servant know the will of God (10:9-16). h. Making the Lord’s servant confirm His presence (18:9-10). i. Pointing out the direction of service to the Lord’s servant in future (22:17-21). j. Keeping and comforting the Lord’s servant (23:11). The Conditions of Being Filled by the Holy Spirit 1. Waiting (1:4-5). 2. Continuing with one accord in prayer and supplication (1:14; 2:1-4). 3. Repenting and being baptized (2:38; 5:31-32). 4. Obeying (5:29
32). 5. Faith (11:12-17). How to Bear Witness to the Lord 1. Bear witness by the power of the Holy Spirit (1:8; 2:37; 4:33; 6:8; 9:22; 18:28).2. Bear witness by words------speaking the wonderful works of God (2:11 and etc.).3. Bear witness by wonders (2:43; 3:6-10; 5:12-16; 6:8; 7:13; 14:10-11; 28:8-10).4. Bear witness by the life of the church (2:46-47).5. Bear witness by tribulations (4:3-4; 5:40-42; 8:4-6; 12:6-24; 16:24-34).6. Bear witness by behaviors (4:13; 9:36; 11:24).7. Bear witness by works (6:3; 9:39; 18:3). The Features of the Holy Spirit’s Works 1. Powerful------“you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (1:8).2. Worldwide------“I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh” (2:17).3. Everlasting and continued------“the promise is to…and to all…the Lord our God will call” (2:39).4. Centering on the church: a. “The place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (4:31). b. “Full of the Holy Spirit…over this business” (6:3). c. “The churches were multiplied…in the comfort of the Holy Spirit” (9:31). d. “In the church that was at Antioch…the Holy Spirit said” (13:1-2). f. “The Holy Spirit has made you overseers” (20:28). The Relation between the Holy Spirit and the Preaching of the Gospel 1. The Holy Spirit provides the power to bear witness (1:8).2. The Holy Spirit gives the utterance to bear witness (2:4
11). 3. The Holy Spirit makes them speak the word of God with boldness (4:31).4. The Holy Spirit bears witness with the Saints (5:32).5. The Holy Spirit makes the opponents unable to resist (6:10).6. The Holy Spirit guides the Saints to meet the appropriate objects of the gospel (8:26-35).7. The Holy Spirit leads the Saints to continue in the way of preaching (8:39).8. The Holy Spirit makes those who are to be saved be multiplied (9:31).9. The Holy Spirit makes those who hear the word receive the gospel (10:44; See 2:37; 16:14).10. The Holy Spirit sends the Saints to go out for the work of preaching (13:2-4).11. The Holy Spirit leads the Saints to the appropriate places to preach the gospel (16:6-10). Christians’ Four Appellations 1. “The disciples” (1:12; 2:1
6
41; 6:2
7; 8:1; 9:1
10
19
25
26
28; 11:2
19
26
29; 13:52 and etc)------it emphasized that they had been strictly trained. 2. “The Saints” (9:13
32
41; 26:10)------it emphasized that they were specially separated to God. 3. “Who believed” (10:45)------it emphasized that they believed on Jesus Christ and trusted His salvation. 4. “Christians” (11:26; 26:28)------it emphasized that they manifested Christ and lived out Christ’s salvation and life. The Seven Examples of Prayer in the Acts of the Apostles 1. The prayer in the upper chamber (1:12-14): a. The prayer of keeping the Lord’s commandment------“returning to Jerusalem” (See v.4). b. The surpassing prayer------“going up into the upper room”. c. The prayer in the chamber------“the upper room”. d. The prayer with one accord------“all…with one accord”. e. The earnest and sincere prayer------“continued…in prayer and supplication”. 2. The prayer of the ninth hour (3:1-10):a. The prayer of the definite time------“at the hour of prayer
the ninth hour”.b. The prayer of the cooperation among co-workers------“Peter
John”. c. The prayer of caring about others------“fixing his eyes on him”. d. The prayer of providing life------“but what I do have I give you”. e. The prayer in the name of the Lord------“in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth”. f. The prayer with faith------“rise up and walk” (See v.16). g. The prayer of support------“he took him by the right hand and lifted him up”. h. The effectual prayer------“and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength”. i. The prayer that glorifies God------“praising God”.3. The prayer that one was set free (4:23-31): a. Praying according to the facts------“they reported all to them. So when they heard that
they…”b. Praying with one accord------“with one accord”. c. Praying earnestly------“they raised their voice to God”. d. Prayer of trusting the power of God------“You are God
who made heaven and earth and the sea
and all that is in them”. e. Prayer of reporting God’s words------“who had said”. f. Prayer of stating to God the difficulties that they encountered------“the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD…look on their threats”. g. Prayer of reminding God His will------“do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done”. h. Prayer of clear demand------“Lord grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word
by stretching out Your hand to heal
and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus”. i. Prayer of shaking the hell------“the place where they were assembled together was shaken”.j. The effectual prayer------“and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and they spoke the word of God with boldness”.4. The prayer that one saw the vision (10:1-20): a. The devout prayer------“a devout man and one who feared God”.b. The usual prayer------“and prayed to God always”.c. The prayer with vision------“he saw clearly in a vision”; “he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened”.
d. The prayer that was heard by God------“your prayers…have come up for a memorial before God”. e. The quiet and surpassing prayer------“Peter went up on the housetop to pray”. f. The prayer of need------“he became very hungry”. g. The prayer of receiving the new revelation------“rise
kill and eat”. h. The prayer that was proved by facts------“the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house
and stood before the gate”. i. The prayer that the Holy Spirit spoke------“the Spirit said to him”. 5. The earnest prayer (12:4-23):a. The prayer for perilousness------“Herod had arrested Peter
he put him in prison…intending to bring him before the people after Passover”.b. The instant intercession------“but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church”. c. The prayer to the last moment------“when Herod was about to bring him out”; “many were gathered together praying”. d. The prayer with great difficulties------“Peter was sleeping
bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison”. e. The prayer that overcomes difficulties------“his chains fell off his hands. They were past the first and the second guard posts
they came to the iron gate that leads to the city
which opened to them of its own accord”. f. The prayer that God does exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think ------“Rhoda ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her
‘You are beside yourself!’”. g. The prayer that roots out the enemies------“then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him
because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died”.6. Praying with fasting (13:1-3): a. The fellow-workers prayed together------“in the church…there were certain prophets and teachers”.b. The prayer that overcomes different backgrounds------“Barnabas (a Jew)
Simeon who was called Niger (probably a black people)
Lucius of Cyrene (unclear identity)
Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch (an aristocrat)
and Saul (the Pharisee previously)”. c. The prayer of serving the Lord------“as they ministered to the Lord” (serving the Lord by praying). d. The prayer with fasting------“fasted”; “having fasted and prayed”. e. The prayer of receiving the sending of the Holy Spirit------“the Holy Spirit said
‘Now separate to Me…’”. f. The prayer of union and blessings------“and laid hands on them”.7. The prayer at midnight (16:22-34): a. The prayer in the tribulations------“tore off their clothes… commanded them to be beaten with rods… put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks”.b. The prayer at midnight------“at midnight”. c. Praying and singing hymns to God------“Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God”. d. The prayer that draws men’s attention------“and the prisoners were listening to them”. e. The prayer that shakes the hell------“suddenly there was a great earthquake
so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed”. f. The prayer that controls the overall situation------“we (including all prisoners) are all here”.g. The prayer that leads men to be saved------“he believed in God with all his household”. The Motive Power of the Church’s Growth
1. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication (1:14; 4:24).2. They continued daily with one accord…and broke bread (2:46).
3. They gathered together with one accord (5:12).4. With one accord they gave heed unto those things which the preacher spoke (8:6).5. They chose the suitable man to solve the crisis with one accord (15:25-31). The Relation between Prayers and Wonders1. The disciples continued with one accord in prayer and supplication and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost
and began to speak with other tongues
as the Spirit gave them utterance (1:14; 2:1-4).2. Peter and John kept the prayer of the ninth hour and healed the man who was lame from his mother's womb (3:1-10). 3. Their own company lifted up their voice to God with one accord and in the result the place in which they were assembled shook. The Lord healed and did wonders and signs through the hands of the apostles (4:24-31; 5:12).4. The apostles prayed for the seven ministers including Stephen so that Stephen did great wonders and miracles among the people (6:6
8).5. Saul’s eyes were opened because Saul and Ananias prayed (9:11-12
17-18).6. Peter kneeled down
and prayed so that Dorcas was brought back to life (9:40-41).7. God sent the angel to deliver Peter out of the hand of Herod because the church prayed for Peter’s being imprisoned earnestly (12:5-11).8. Paul cast out the spirit of Python and set free the servant who was possessed by the spirit because of the support of the church’s prayers (16:16-18).9. When Paul and Silas prayed
and sang praises unto God
suddenly there was a great earthquake
so that the foundations of the prison were shaken (16:25-26).10. Paul laid his hands on the father of Publius who lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux and healed him (28:8). What the Prayer should Be 1. With one accord in prayer (1:14).2. Continue in prayer (1:14); continued steadfastly in prayers (2:42).3. They…in prayers (2:42).4. Pray in definite time------at the hour of prayer
being the ninth hour (3:1; 10:30).5. Give ourselves continually to prayer (6:4).6. Desire to find a tabernacle for the God (7:46).7. Pray for men (8:15; 12:5; 28:8).8. Call on the name of the Lord (9:14
21; 22:16).9. Kneel know and pray (9:40; 20:36; 21:5).10. Pray to God always (10:2).11. Pray in secret (10:9 “went up upon the housetop to pray”).12. Prayer was made without ceasing to God (12:5).13. Gather together and pray (12:12; 16:13 “where prayer was customarily made”).14. Having fasted and prayed (13:3; 14:23)15. Pray
and sing praises unto God (16:25).16. Pray in the temple (22:17). In the Beginning the Preachers and the Churches Stressed on God’s words 1. They carried out the teachings of God’s word (1:16
20). 2. They explained the experience that they were filled by the Holy Spirit according to God’s word (2:16-21). 3. They quoted God’s word to prove that Jesus had been raised up and be both Lord and Christ (2:22-36; 13:33-37). 4. They quoted God’s words to persuade men to repent and be converted (3:18-26; 13:38-41). 5. They quoted God’s words to praise Him in prayer (4:23-31). 6. They gave themselves to God’s words (6:2
4). 7. They quoted God’s words in a large number in witness (7:2-53). 8. They preached that Jesus is Christ according to God’s words (8:25
35; 13:22-23; 18:28; 28:23). 9. They obeyed God’s words (10:28). 10. They remembered and meditated God’s words (11:16). 11. They made those who heard the word give glorification to God’s word (13:48). 12. They quoted God’s word in judging (15:15-18). 13. They reasoned with men out of the scriptures (God’s word) and preached that Jesus is Christ (17:2-3). 14. They searched the scriptures (God’s word) in order to discern the truth (17:11). 15. They command the elders of the church to the word of God (20:32). 16. They quoted God’s word to defend themselves in the court (23:5). 17. They trusted in God’s word (27:25). 18. They taught men to understand God’s word (28:31). The Effect of Prayer 1. Pointing out the one who was chosen by God (1:21-26). 2. The place was shaken where they were assembled together (4:31). 3. Prayer makes men be filled with the Holy Spirit (4:31). 4. Prayer makes men speak the word of God with boldness (4:31). 5. They prayed and laid their hands upon men------appointing men to manage the affairs of the church (6:3-6). 6. Prayer makes men be baptized (8:15
17). 7. Men see the vision in prayer (9:11-12; 11:11; 22:17). 8. Prayer makes the dead be raised (9:40).9. One’s prayer was remembered by God (10:4). 10. One was saved by God because of prayer (12:5-11). 11. They sent out workers in prayer (13:3-4). 12. Paul committed the elders to the Lord in prayer (14:23). 13. One was opened by the Lord to hear the word because of prayer (16:13-14). 14. Prayer cast out a spirit of divination (16:16-18). 15. They said farewell in prayer (20:36; 21:5). 16. Men’s disease was healed because of prayer (28:8). The Manifestation of Being Filled with the Holy Spirit 1. Utterance (2:4). 2. Boldness (4:8-31). 3. Wisdom (6:3). 4. Power (6:8). 5. Seeing (7:55; 9:17). 6. Obedience (8:27). 7. Faith (11:24). 8. Driving out evil spirits (13:9). 9. Joy (13:52). Christians’ Joy 1. They rejoiced for they saw the Lord (2:25-26
28). 2. They received their food with gladness and simplicity of heart (2:46). 3. They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of the Lord (5:41). 4. They rejoiced for they heard the words in due season (6:5). 5. There was great joy because they saw the work of the Holy Spirit (8:5-8). 6. He went on his way rejoicing for he was saved (8:35-39). 7. They were glad for they had seen the grace of God (11:23). 8. They were glad for they heard the voice of the Saints (12:14). 9. They rejoiced because they heard the word of preaching the Lord’s grace (13:48). 10. They were full of joy because they were filled with the Holy Spirit (13:52). 11. They rejoiced because God did good (14:17). 12. They rejoiced because they heard the conversion of the Gentiles (15:3). 13. They rejoiced because they had read the consolation in the letter (15:31). 14. They rejoiced because they believed in God (16:34). 15. They received the Saints gladly (21:17). The Various Appellations of the Gospel 1. “The ways of life” (2:28; 5:20). 2. “The word of God” (4:31; 6:7; 8:14; 11:1; 12:24; 13:5
7
44
46; 17:13; 18:11
26). 3. “The things concerning the kingdom of God” (8:12). 4. “The gospel” (8:25; 14:7; 16:10). 5. “Peace” (10:36). 6. “The faith” (13:8). 7. “The straight ways of the Lord” (13:10). 8. “The teaching of the Lord” (13:12
49; 18:25; 19:10
20). 9. “Word of exhortation” (13:15). 10. “The word of this salvation” (13:26). 11. “The glad tidings”
i.e. the promise which was made (13:32). 12. “The forgiveness of sins” (13:38). 13. “The word of His grace” (14:3). 14. “The gospel of the grace of God” (20:24). 15. “The kingdom of God” (20:25; 28:23
31). 16. “The word of His grace” (20:32; 14:3). 17. “The faith in Christ” (24:24). 18. “Light” (26:23). The Gifts of the Holy Spirit 1. The Holy Spirit Himself is the gift that God gives us (2:38-39; 5:32; 8:20; 10:17
45). 2. The gift of utterance (2:4; 6:10). 3. The gift of prophecy (2:17-18; 11:28; 20:23; 21:4
11). 4. The gift of teaching (4:8-12
31). 5. The gift of management (6:3). 6. The gift of faith (6:5; 11:24). 7. The gift of doing wonders and signs (6:5
8; 13:9-11). 8. The gift of love (11:24; See 4:36-37). The Indispensable Conditions of Building the Church 1. Keeping the teachings of the Bible------“they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine” (2:42). 2. Receiving each other and having communion with each other------“they continued steadfastly…in fellowship” (2:42). 3. Remembering the grace of the Lord------“they continued steadfastly…in breaking of bread” (2:42). 4. Praying unceasingly------“they continued steadfastly…in prayers” (2:42). 5. Having the life of the church together------“and all that believed were together” (2:44). 6. With one accord (2:46; 4:24
32 “one”; 5:12). 7. Withstanding sins------being honest and not lying (2:46; 5:3). 8. Treating all men equally without discrimination and negligence (6:1-3). 9. Teaching and training (11:26). 10. Obeying the Holy Spirit (13:2-4). 11. Correcting opinions that disagree with the truth (15:24). 12. Searching the Bible (17:11). 13. Bewaring of heresies (20:28-31). Satan’s Tricks to the Church and God’s Accomplishment to the Church 1. The beginning period of the church (the period of the Jews):a. the deceit of Satan------opposition (4:1-12); God’s fulfillment (4:31-33).b. the deceit of Satan------lie (5:1-10); God’s fulfillment (5:11-16).c. the deceit of Satan------persecution (5:17-40); God’s fulfillment (5:41-6:1).e. the deceit of Satan------estrangement (6:1-6); God’s fulfillment (6:7).f. the deceit of Satan------murder (7:54-60); God’s fulfillment (8:4-40). 2. the developing period of the church (the transitional period):a. the deceit of Satan------opposition (8:3); God’s fulfillment (8:4-8).b. the deceit of Satan------lie (8:9-24); God’s fulfillment (8:25-40).c. the deceit of Satan------persecution (9:1-2
23-25
29); God’s fulfillment (9:3-22
28
31-43).e. the deceit of Satan------estrangement (11:1-3); God’s fulfillment (11:18-30).f. the deceit of Satan------murder (12:2-3); God’s fulfillment (12:24). 3. the spreading period of the church (the age of the Gentiles):a. the deceit of Satan------opposition (13:8-11
50-51; 14:5-6; 17:5-9; 18:6
12-16; 19:24-41); God’s fulfillment (13:12
52; 14:21-23; 17:12; 18:10
18; 20:7).b. the deceit of Satan------lie (15:30-33; Gal. 2:11-13); God’s fulfillment (15:35; 16:1-10).c. the deceit of Satan------persecution (14:19; 16:19-24); God’s fulfillment (14:21-23; 17:25-40).e. the deceit of Satan------estrangement (15:1-21
36-40); God’s fulfillment (15:22-35
41).f. the deceit of Satan------murder (20:3; 21:31-36; 23:12-15; 25:1-3); God’s fulfillment (28:30-31). The Angles in the Acts of the Apostles 1. The angel saved the disciple from the tribulation (5:19; 12:7-10). 2. The angle guided the disciple in the work (8:26). 3. The angel pointed out the difficult to the disciple (10:3
7
22; 11:13). 4. The angel punished the enemy of the disciples (12:23). 5. The angle strengthened the faith of the disciple (27:23). Men’s Attitude to the Holy Spirit 1. The good attitude: a. Obey the Holy Spirit (5:32).b. Be full of the Holy Spirit (6:3; 7:55; 11:24).c. Receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit (8:29-30; 16:6-7).d. Have the same mind with the Holy Spirit (15:28). 2. The bad attitude: a. Lie to the Holy Spirit (5:3).b. Tempt the Holy Spirit (5:9).c. Resist the Holy Spirit (6:10).d. Withstand the Holy Spirit (7:51). The Course of Paul’s Being Saved 1. As Paul journeyed
he came near Damascus (9:3; 22:6; 26:13). 2. About noon (22:6; 26:13). 3. Suddenly there shined round about him a great light from heaven (9:3; 22:6; 26:13). 4. Paul fell unto the ground (9:4; 22:7; 26:14). 5. Paul heard a voice saying to me
“Saul
Saul
why are you persecuting Me?” (9:4; 22:7; 26:14). 6. Paul heard that
“Saul
Saul
why are you persecuting Me?” (26:14). 7. Paul said
“Who are You
Lord?” And He said
“I am Jesus
whom you are persecuting” (9:5; 22:8; 26:15). 8. And those who were with Paul indeed saw the light
but they did not hear the voice (22:9); hearing a voice
but seeing no man (9:7). 9. Paul said
“What shall I do
Lord?” (22:10). 10. The Lord said to Paul
“Arise and go into the city
and there you shall be told what you must do (9:6; 22:10). 11. Then Saul arose from the ground
and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But those who were with him led him by the hand and brought him into the city (9:8; 22:11). 12. The Lord appeared to Ananias and sent him to put his hand on Paul so that he might receive his light (9:10-16; 22:12). 13. Ananias kept the commandment to put his hand on Paul so that he might receive his light (9:17-18); at that time Paul prayed and fasted (See 9:11b
19). 14. And the same hour Paul looked up upon him (22:13). 15. Ananias conveyed the Lord’s commandment to Paul (22:14-15); Paul stated the commandment to Antipas the king with the identity that he had received the commandment directly (26:16-18). 16. Ananias urged Paul to be baptized (22:16); Paul was baptized (9:18b). The Power of God’s Words 1. The power of growth (12:24). 2. The power of overcoming (13:10-12; 19:23). 3. The power of persuasion (13:12). 4. The power of attraction (13:44). 5. The power of being pressed (18:5). 6. The power of building (20:32). Paul’s Four Journeys 1. The first journey (13:4-14:27)------Antioch→Seleucia→Salamis→Paphos→Perga→Antioch in Pisidia→Iconium→Lystra→Derbe→Lystra→Iconium→Antioch in Pisidia→Perga→Attalia→Antioch. 2. The second journey (15:40-18:22)------Anitoch→Derbe→Lystra→Troas→Neapolis→Philippi→Amphipolis→Apollonia→Thessalonica→Beroea→Athens→Corinth→Cenchrea→Ephesus→Jerusalem→Antioch. 3. The third journey (18:23-21:17)------Anitoch→Tarsus→Iconium→Ephesus→Macedonia→Greece→Troas→Assos→Mitylene→Miletus→Cos→Rhodes→Patara→Tyre→Ptolemais→Caeserea→Jerusalem. 4. The fourth journey (23:31-28:16)------Jerusalem→Antipatris→Caeserea (he was imprisoned two years there)→Sidon→Myra→Salmone→Lasea→Phenice→Clauda→Melita→Syracuse→Rhegium→Puteoli→Appii Forum→Tres Tabernae→Rome.
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren