Acts Outline part 3

CHAPTER 15

1. THE MATTER OF JUDAISM: VS 1-5

A. This was the teaching of Judaism. v 1 ("Ye can not be saved, except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses.") B. This was the opposition to Judaism. v 2 (Paul and Barnabas discussed the issues with them.) Col. 2:14 C. This was the decision concerning Judaism. v 2 (It was decided that this matter should be discussed with the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.) D. This was the weakness of Judaism. v 3 (Christianity, not Judaism causes great joy.) Phil. 4:4 E. This was the contention for Judaism. vs 4-5 (The Pharisees contended for Judaism.) Romans 10:1-3 II. PETER SPOKE TO THE COUNCIL: VS 6-11 A. This was the reason for his speaking to the council. v 6 (The council assembled together for that occasion.) B. These were the characteristics of his address to the council. vs 7-9 1. Peter revealed unto them the blessings of the gospel of Christ. vs 7-9 a). The gospel is universal. v 7, Acts 2:21, Rev. 22:17 b). The gospel purifies the heart. vs 8-9, Romans 6:16-18 2. Peter explained unto them the curses of the Law of Moses. v 10 a). The law of Moses was a yoke. Gal. 3:10-12 b). The law of Moses demanded absolute obedience. Heb. 10:28 C. These were the applications of his address to the council. v 11 1. All people are saved by the grace of God. Titus 2:11-12 2. All people are saved by a working faith in God. Gal. 6:5 III. PAUL AND BARNABAS SPOKE TO THE COUNCIL: V 11 A. The council gave heed to Paul and Barnabas. B. The council were told what miracles that God had done among the Gentiles. IV. JAMES ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL: VS 13-21 A. This was the appeal of his address to that council. v 13 (James said, "Hearken unto me.") B. These were the motivations for his address to that council. vs 14-18 1. God does accept the Gentiles in His Kingdom. vs 14-16, Rev. 22:17 a). James referred to the testimony of Peter. v 14, Acts 10:34-35 b). James explained the testimony of the Prophets. vs 15-16, Isa. 2:2-3 2. God does expect the Gentiles to serve Him. vs 17-18, Eph. 2:11-16 C. This was the purpose of his address to that council. (The Jewish Christians should not trouble the Gentile Christians.) Gal. 6:1-2 D. These were the mandates for his address to that council. vs 20-21 1. The Gentiles must not believe in idols. v 20, 1 John 5:21 2. The Gentiles should not become fornicators. v 20, 1 Thess. 4:3 3. The Gentiles ought not to eat an animal which has been strangled to dead. v 20 4. The Gentiles must not eat blood. v 20-21, Lev. 3:17 V. THE DECISION OF THE COUNCIL: VS 22-29 A. The council decided to sent a delegation to Antioch. v 22 (It was decided that Paul, Barnabas and Silas would be the persons who would be sent to Antioch.) B. The council expressed regret that false teachers had troubled them. vs 22- 24 (Certain men have troubled you with words.) C. The council revealed their decision. vs 25-29 1. The Gentiles must abstain from meats offered to idols. v 29, l John 5:21 2. The Gentiles should not eat blood. v 29, Lev. 3:17 3. The Gentiles ought not to eat an animal which had been strangled to death. v 29 4. The Gentiles must not become fornicators. v 29, 1 Thess. 4:3 VI. THE DELEGATION AT ANTIOCH: VS 30-35 A. This was the reception which the delegation received at Antioch. v 30 (There was a great multitude waiting for them at Antioch.) B. This was the work which the delegation did at Antioch. vs 31-32 1. The reading of the letter caused great joy. v 31 2. The preaching of the word of God was confirmed in them. v 32 C. This was the release of the delegation which had been sent to Antioch. vs 33-35 1. Judas returned to Jerusalem. v 33 2. Silas remained in Antioch. v 34 3. Paul and Barnabas exhorted the people. v 35 VII. THE SECOND MISSIONARY OF PAUL: VS 36-41 A. This was the motivation for that journey. v 36 (Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go visit our brethren where we have preached the gospel.") B. This was the plan for that journey. vs 37-38 1. Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them. v 37 2. Paul did not want to take Mark with them. v 38 C. These were the decisions for that journey. vs 39-40 1. Barnabas took Mark with him. v 39 2. Paul took Silas with him. v 40 D. These were the fruits of that journey. v 41 (The congregations were edified.) CHAPTER 16

1. THE WORK OF PAUL AND SILAS: VS 1-10

A. This was the value of their work. vs 1-3 (Paul and Silas found Timothy.) B. This was the purpose of their work. v 4 (Paul and Silas were delivering the decree of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.) C. This was the success of their work. v 5 (The New Testament church was established in the faith.) D. This was the guide for their work. vs 6-10 (The Holy Spirit guided Paul and Silas.) 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21 II. THE CONVERSION OF LYDIA: VS 11-15 A. This was the need for her being converted. vs 11-14 1. Lydia was worshiping God according to the annulled law of Moses. Col. 2:14 2. Man can worship the Lord his God in vain. Matt. 15:8-9 B. This was the reason for her being converted. v 14 1. Lydia had a good and honest heart. 2. It takes a good and honest heart to be converted. Matt. 13:3-9 C. These were the ways by which she was converted to the blessings of New Testament Christianity. vs 14-15 1. Lydia heard the word of God. Romans 10:17 2. Lydia believed the word of God. Heb. 11:6 3. Lydia repented of her past sins. Luke 13:3 4. Lydia confessed the Deity of Christ. Matt. 10:32-33 5. Lydia was baptized into Christ for the remission of her sins. v 15, Acts 2:38 D. This was the proof of her conversion. v 15 1. Lydia started doing good works for the Lord. 2. Christians must do good works for the Lord. Matt. 25:35-45 III. THE HEALING OF THE GIRL WITH AN EVIL SPIRIT: VS 16-24 A. This was the need for her being healed. v 16 (She was possessed with a spirit of divination.) B. This was the reason for her being healed. vs 17-18 (She grieved Paul.) C. This was the result of her being healed. vs 19-24 (Paul and Silas were imprisoned.) IV. THE CONVERSION OF THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER: VS 25-34 A. These were the reasons for his being converted. vs 25-26 1. The praying of Paul and Silas helped to convert the Philippian jailer. v 25, 1 Tim. 2:1-4 2. The manifestation of God's power helped to convert the Philippian jailer. vs 26-28 a). God has creating power. Acts 17:24-25 b). God has redeeming power. Romans 1:16 c). God has judging power. Acts 17:30-31 3. The conviction of his sins helped to convert the Philippian jailer. vs 29- 30, Eph. 2:1, Romans 6:23 B. These were the ways by which the Philippian jailer was converted the blessings of New Testament Christianity. 31-32 1. The Philippian jailer was told to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. v 31, Heb. 11:6 2. The Philippian jailer needed to confess the Deity of Jesus Christ. v 32, Matt. 10:32-33 3. The Philippian jailer repented of his past sins. v 33, Luke 13:3 4. The Philippian jailer was baptized for the remission of his sins. v 33, Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:20-21 C. These were the proofs of his conversions. v 34 1. The Philippian jailer shared his home and food with Paul and Silas. Gal. 6:10 2. The Philippian jailer rejoiced in the Lord. Luke 15:10 3. The Philippian jailer believed in God. 2 Peter 1:3-4 V. THE RELEASE OF PAUL AND SILAS FROM PRISON: VS 35-40 A. This was the willingness for their being released from prison. vs 35-36 (They were told, "Go in peace.") B. This was the eagerness for their being released from prison. vs 37-39 (The magistrates wanted Paul and Silas to depart our of the city.) C. This was the results of their being released from prison. vs 37-39 (Paul and Silas comforted the brethren.) CHAPTER 17

1. THE CHURCH AT THESSALONICA: VS 1-9

A. This was the beginning of the church at Thessalonica. vs 1-2 1. That church began because the scriptures were preached unto them. Isa. 2:2-3 2. The scriptures are our only guide in establishing congregations of the New Testament church. 2 Peter 1:3 B. This was the mission of the church at Thessalonica. v 3 1. The church must preached the crucified Christ. v 3, 1 Cor. 1:18-24 2. The church must uphold the manifold wisdom of God. Eph. 1:10 C. This was the authority of the church at Thessalonica. v 3 (Christ has the authority over the church.) Matt. 28:18-20 1. Christ built the church. Matt. 16:13-18 2. Christ purchased the church. Acts 20:28 3. Christ is the foundation of the church. 1 Cor. 3:11 4. Christ is the head of the church. Eph. 1:22-23 D. This was the growth of the church at Thessalonica v 4 (True believers were added to the church.) Acts 2:47 E. These were the persecutions of the church at Thessalonica vs 5-9 1. The unbelievers will persecute the church. v 5, Matt. 5:11-12 2. The unbelievers will bring false charges against the righteous people of God. vs 6-9, 1 Peter 4:16 II. THE WORK OF PAUL AND SILAS AT BEREA: VS 10-15 A. This was the reason for their work at Berea. v 10 (The brethren at Thessalonica sent them away because of the persecution of the church.) B. This was the appreciation for their work at Berea. v 11 (Those people of Berea were ready to receive the word of God.) C. This was the value of their work at Berea. v 12 (Many people believed.) D. This was the opposition for their work at Berea. v 13 (The unbelieving Jews of Thessalonica came to Berea and stirred up the people.) E. This was the result of their work at Berea. vs 14-15 (Paul and Silas were sent away.) III. THE WORK OF PAUL AT ATHENS: VS 16-22 A. This was the motivation for his work at Athens. v 16 (The idolatry of Athens was the motivation of Paul's work.) B. This was the nature of his work at Athens. v 17 (Paul reasoned with the people of Athens.) Isa. 1:18-20 C. This was the effect of his work at Athens. vs 18-21 (Paul was given an opportunity to preach on Mars' Hill.) IV. THE SERMON OF PAUL ON MARS' HILL: VS 22-34 A. These were the introductions to his sermon. vs 22-23 1. Paul recognized that they were very religious. v 22 2. Paul realized that they were searching for God. v 23 B. These were the characteristics of his sermon. vs 24-31 1. Paul explained the wonderful relationship which exists between God and man. vs 24-26 a). The Lord our God is the Creator of man. v 24, Gen. 2:7, 1 John 5:7 b). The Lord our God is the Ruler of man. v 24, l John 4:4 c). The Lord our God is the Provider of man. vs 25-26, James 1:17 2. Paul revealed the wonderful relationship which exists between man and God. vs 27-31 a). Man should seek the Lord his God because he needs the blessings of God v 27, Isa. 1:18-20 b). Man can find the Lord his God because the Lord has revealed Himself unto mankind. vs 27-29 1). God has revealed Himself unto mankind because He created the world. Romans 1:20, Psa. 19:1-6 2). God has revealed Himself unto mankind because Jesus (the Incarnated Word) was God manifested in the flesh. John 1:1- 3,14, 1 Tim. 3:16 3). God has revealed Himself unto mankind because the scriptures fully explain the will of God unto man. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 c). Man can find the Lord his God through the gospel system. Romans 1:16, 2 Cor. 5:17 3. Paul affirmed that man is accountable unto the Lord his God. vs 30-31, 2 Cor. 5:10 C. These were the results of his sermon. vs 32-34 1. Some people mocked. v 32, 2 Peter 3:3-4 2. Some people delayed. V 32, Acts 24:25 3. Some people believed. vs 33-34, Heb. 11:6 CHAPTER 18

I. THE WORK OF PAUL AT CORINTH: VS 1-11

A. These were the characteristics of his work. vs 1-6 1. Paul worked with Aguila and Priscilla because they were tent makers. vs 1-3 2. Paul preached the gospel of Christ. vs 4-6 a). Paul preached unto the Jews. v 4 b). Paul preached unto the Gentiles. vs 5-6 B. These were the blessings of his work. vs 7-8 1. Many of the Corinthians heard the word of God. v 8, Romans 10:17 2. Many of the Corinthians believed the word of God. v 8, Heb. 11:6 3. Many of the Corinthians were baptized for the remission of their sins. v 8, Mark 16:16 C. These were the encouragements for his work. vs 9-10 1. The Lord encouraged Paul. v 9, Isa. 41:10, Heb. 13:5-6 2. The Lord protected Paul. v 10, Phil. 4:13, Romans 8:37 D. This was the purpose of his work. v 11 (Paul spent eighteen months in Corinth teaching the word of God.) John 6:45 II. RELIGIOUS ENVY: VS 12-17 A. These are the characteristics of religious envy. vs 12-13 1. Religious envy will make an attack upon the righteous people of God. v 12, 2 Tim. 3:12 2. Religious envy will make false charges against the righteous people of God. v 13, 2 Peter 3:3-4 B. These are the causes for religious envy. vs 14-16 1. Religious envy is caused by twisting the scriptures. 2 Peter 3:15-16 2. Religious envy is produced by changing the word of God. Rev. 22:18-19 3. Religious envy is promoted by preaching a perverted gospel. Gal. 1:6-9 4. Religious envy is engendered by loving error. 2 Thess. 2:11-12 C. These are the fruits of religious envy. v 17 1. Religious envy appears to be right. Matt. 7:15 2. Religious envy is done for the glory of self. Matt. 23:1-7 III. PAUL ENDS HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY: VS 18-22 A. Paul sailed to Syria. v 18 B. Paul came to Ephesus. vs 19-21 C. Paul went to Antioch. v 22 IV. PAUL BEGAN HIS THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY: V 23 A. This was the beginning of that journey. v 23 (Paul visited the counties of Galatia and Phrygia.) B. This was the purpose of that journey. v 23 (Paul strengthened the disciples.) V. THE EXAMPLE OF APOLLOS: VS 24-28 A. These were the abilities of Apollos. v 24 1. Apollos was an eloquent speaker. v 24, l Cor. 13:1 2. Apollos was educated in the scriptures. v 24, Gal. 3:24 B. These were the traits of Apollos. v 25 1. Apollos believed in the way of the Lord. 2. Apollos was fervent in the spirit. C. These were the religious errors of Apollos. v 25 1. Apollos was teaching the baptism of John (The baptism of John had fulfilled its purpose.) Acts 19:1-6 2. Apollos should have been preaching the baptism of Christ. Matt. 28:18- 20 D. These were the motivations of Apollos. v 26 1. Apollos accepted the truth. John 8:32 2. Apollos was converted from Judaism to Christianity. Col. 2:14 E. These were the works of Apollos. vs 27-28 1. Apollos started preaching the gospel of Christ. Romans 1:16 2. Apollos preached that Jesus was the Christ. Acts 2:36 CHAPTER 19

1. JOHN, THE BAPTIST LOST TWELVE DISCIPLES: VS 1-7

A. These were the characteristics of those disciples. vs 1-2 1. Those disciples did not have the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 2. Those disciples had not been given the Holy Spirit as a seal for their salvation. Eph. 1:13-14 B. These were the needs for those disciples. vs 3-4 1. Those disciples needed to be baptized into Christ. Gal. 3:27, Romans 6:3- 6 2. The baptism of John had fulfilled its purpose because the baptism of the great commission superseded the baptism of John, the Baptist. Matt. 28:18-20, Acts 2:38 C. These were the mandates for those disciples. v 5 1. Those disciples were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 2:38 2. Those disciples were baptism in the name (the authority) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.) Matt. 28:18-20 D. These were the blessings for those disciples. v 6 1. Those disciples received the Holy Spirit as a seal for their salvation. Acts 2:38, Eph. 1:13-14 a). The Holy Spirit as a seal for our salvation means that the Holy Spirit guarantees us that God will keep His promises unto us. 2 Peter 3:9 b). The Holy Spirit as a seal for our salvation means that we must be led by the teachings of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:14-17 2. Those disciples also received the Apostolic gifts from the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 13:8-10 a). The Apostolic gifts from the Holy Spirit were temporary. 1 Cor. 13:8- 10 b). The Apostolic gifts from the Holy Spirit were given to confirm the word of God, and those gifts would only last unto the complete revelation of God was given. James 1:25, James 2:20, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 E. These were the numbers of those disciples. v 7 (There was about twelve disciples.) II. THE WORK OF PAUL AT EPHESUS: VS 8-12 A. This was the nature of his work. v 8 (Paul revealed the truth.) Matt. 6:33 B. These were the blessings of his work. v 9 (Many people had an opportunity to obey the truth.) 1 Cor. 15:58 C. This was the approval of his work. vs 11-12 1. The work of Paul was confirmed by miracles. Heb. 2:1-4 2. Our work can not be confirmed by miracles. Mark 16:17-18, 1 Cor. 13:8- 10 3. Our work must be confirmed by the word of God. James 1:22-25, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 III. THE VALUE OF THE TRUTH: VS 13-20 A. These are the characteristics of the truth. vs 13-16 1. The truth will expose false teachers. 1 John 4:1, 2 Cor. 11:14-15 2. The truth will silence false teaching. Titus 1:9-11 B. These are the purposes of the truth. v 17 1. The truth can make us to surrender to the will of Christ. John 12:48 2. The truth will glorify Christ. Acts 4:12, 2 Cor. 5:17, 1 Peter 4:16 C. These are the powers of the truth. vs 18-19 1. The truth will motivate us to obey its teaching. v 18, Romans 6:16-18 2. The truth will cause us to change our way of living. v 19, Romans 12:1-2 D. These are the sources of the truth. v 20 1. The word of God is the source of the truth. John 17:17, Heb. 4:12 2. The word of Christ is the source of the truth. Col. 3:2, Col. 3:16-17 IV. THE PLANS OF PAUL: VS 21-22 A. Paul wanted to make his future journeys. v 21 B. Paul had to remain for a time in Asia. v 22 V. THE MOB AT EPHESUS: VS 23-41 A. These were the reasons for that mob. v 23 1. The truth of God is opposed to religious error. v 23, Gal. 5:17 2. The evil plot of Demetrius assembled the mob. vs 24-27 B. This was the nature of that mob. vs 28-34 (That mob was confused.) C. This was the appeasement for that mob. vs 35-40 (The town clerk appealed to their reasoning.) D. This was the result of that mob. v 41 (That mob was dismissed.)

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