Acts Bible Study Resources
Everything you need to kick start your study of the Book of Acts: maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study.
Jump to: Background; ** Maps; ** Key Words; ** Encyclopedias; ** Commentaries; ** Articles; ** GotQuestions ** Next **Acts Basics
- Author: Luke, the physician
- Who was Luke?
- Date written: c 62 AD (many arguing for 75-85 AD)
- Time period of events: 30-62 AD. The book begins in the year of Christ’s death/resurrection and ends with Paul’s imprisonment in Rome.
- Genre: historical narrative
- Audience: Believers
- Chapters 1-12 – main character is Peter. Chapters 13-28 – Main character is Paul.
Purpose:
Many have been proposed, including:
- Evangelistic: to awaken faith (especially through the speeches recorded)
- Political: to show Roman citizens that Christianity should be tolerated; Luke shows many Roman officials refusing to stand in the way of the new movement
- Edification of believers: seeks the confirmation of what they have been taught (Luke 1:1-4)
- Defense of Paul: Luke intended to defend Paul against rumors and false charges about his authenticity
- Reconciliation between Jewish and Gentile believers by showing Peter and Paul in agreement over the basics of the faith
- Historical-theological: to explain the movement of the church from Jerusalem-based, Judiasm-oriented to worldwide, Gentile-dominated.
Simple Outline of Acts
- Chapters 1-12: Peter and the beginnings of the church in Palestine; 1:1-9:31 – Judea, Galilee and Samaria; 9:32-12:25 – as far as Phoenicia, Cyrus and Antioch.
- Chapters 13-28: Paul and the expansion of the church from Antioch to Rome; 13:1-15:35 – throughout Phyrgia and Galatia; 15:36-21:16 – over to Macedonia; 21:17028:31 – to Rome.
Structure of Acts
6 sections marked by summary statements
- 1:1-6-7 – The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. – Acts 6:7
- 6:8-9:31 – So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. – Acts 9:31
- 9:31-12:24 – But the word of God increased and multiplied. – Acts 12:24
- 12:25-16:5 – So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. – Acts 16:5
- 16:6-19:20 – So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. – Acts 19:20
- 19:21-28:31 – He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. – Acts 28:30-31
Themes of Acts
- The Holy Spirit‘s power guides the church’s growth (Acts 1:8; Acts 4:8; Acts 8:28; Acts 8:39; Acts 10:19; Acts 13:2; Acts 15:28; Acts 16:6; Acts 20:22).
- 5 separate accounts of an outpouring of the Holy Spirits (Acts 2:1-4; Acts4:28-31; Acts 8:15-17; Acts 10:44; Acts 19:6).
- Leading characters are each “filled with the Holy Spirit” (e.g. Acts 2:4; Acts 4:8; Acts 6:3; Acts 7:55; Acts 11:24; Acts 13:9; Acts 13:52).
- Prayer (e.g. Acts 1:14; Acts 2:42; Acts 4:23-31; Acts 6:4; Acts 7:59; Acts 9:40; Acts 10:9; Acts 10:30; Acts 12:12; Acts 13:3; Acts 14:23; Acts 16:16; Acts 16:25; Acts 20:36; Acts 21:5).
- Joy (e.g. Acts 8:8; Acts 13:52; Acts 14:17; Acts15:3; Acts 16:34).
- Suffering and persecution to advance the church (e.g. Acts 4:7; Acts 5:18; Acts 5:40-41; Acts 8:1; Acts 8:3; Acts 9:16; Acts 9:23; Acts 12:1-2; Acts 13:50; Acts 14:5; Acts 14:19; Acts 14:22; Acts 16:22-23; Acts 17:5; Acts 18:12; Acts 20:3; Acts 20:23; Acts 21:30; Acts 23:12; Acts 28:20).
Genre: Understanding Narrative
Background, Outlines & Timelines
Paul’s journeys in 1 chart (WitW)
Chronology of Acts/Epistles (Blue Letter Bible)
Blue Letter Bible Chronology of Paul
Introduction to New Testament Jewish Groups
Introductions
Acts Overview (Blue Letter Bible)
NIV: Introduction to Acts
ESV: Introduction to Acts
ESV: The Global Message of Acts
Ray Stedman: Overview of each Book
John MacArthur: Author, Date, Background
J Vernon McGee Notes on Acts
Charles Swindoll – Acts – View a list of Bible maps
James Van Dine: Analysis of Acts
David Malick (Bible.org): An Introduction To The Book Of Acts
David Malick: An Argument Of The Book Of Acts
Daniel Wallace: Acts: Introduction, Outline, and Argument
Bob Utley: Introduction to Acts
Timelines
Parallels in the Ministries of Jesus, Peter, and Paul in Luke–Acts
God’s Sovereignty in Salvation as Seen in Acts
Itinerary of Paul’s First Journey – see discussion and map
Itinerary of Paul’s Second Journey – see discussion and map
God’s Sovereignty in Salvation in Acts
Book of Acts Story and Structure
Major Events in the Life of Paul
Maps
Journeys
Paul’s Conversion and Early Ministry– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s 1st Journey – Bible-History.com
1st Missionary Journey of Paul– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s 2nd Journey – Bible-History.com
2nd Missionary Journey of Paul– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s 3rd Journey – Bible-History.com
3rd Missionary Journey of Paul– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s Journeys– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s Arrest and Imprisonment– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s Voyage to Rome– Holman Bible Atlas
Pentecost and the Jewish Diaspora– Holman Bible Atlas
Apostles’ Journeys – Bible-History.com
Geography
Israel in New Testament Times – Bible-History.com
New Testament Jerusalem – Bible-History.com
Herod the Great’s Kingdom – Bible-History.com
Herod’s Kingdom Divided – Bible-History.com
The Kingdom of Herod Agrippa I – Holman Bible Atlas
The Kingdom of Agrippa II– Holman Bible Atlas
Expansion of the Early Church in Palestine– Holman Bible Atlas
Key Words in Acts
Occurrences are based on New American Standard Text. “4x/3v” means the word appears 4 times in 3 verses. “3x” means the word appears 3 times in 3 verses.
Lord (101x) – Strong’s G2962
Jesus (71x); Christ (26X)
Spirit (64x) – Strong’s G4151
word (39x) Strong’s G3056 in Act 2:41; Act 4:29; Act 4:31; Act 6:2; Act 6:4; Act 6:7; Act 7:14; Act 8:4; Act 8:14; Act 8:25; Act 10:36; Act 11:1; Act 11:16; Act 11:19; Act 12:24; Act 13:5; Act 13:7; Act 13:15; Act 13:44; Act 13:46; Act 13:48; Act 13:49; Act 14:3; Act 14:25; Act 15:7; Act 15:27; Act 15:35; Act 15:36; Act 16:6; Act 16:32; Act 17:11; Act 17:13; Act 18:5; Act 18:11; Act 19:10; Act 19:20; Act 20:32; Act 20:38; Act 28:25.
baptized (19X) – Strong’s G907 in Act 1:5; Act 2:38; Act 2:41; Act 8:12; Act 8:13; Act 8:16; Act 8:36; Act 8:38; Act 9:18; Act 10:47; Act 10:48; Act 11:16; Act 16:15; Act 16:33; Act 18:8; Act 19:3; Act 19:4; Act 19:5; Act 22:16; baptism (6x) – Strong’s G908 in Act 1:22; Act 10:37; Act 13:24; Act 18:25; Act 19:3; Act 19:4.
church (17x) Strong’s G1577 in Act 5:11; Act 8:1; Act 8:3; Act 9:31; Act 11:22; Act 11:26; Act 12:1; Act 12:5; Act 13:1; Act 14:23; Act 14:27; Act 15:3; Act 15:4; Act 15:22; Act 18:22; Act 20:17; Act 20:28.
faith (14X/13V) – Strong’s G4102 in Act 3:16; Act 6:5; Act 6:7; Act 11:24; Act 13:8; Act 14:9; Act 14:22; Act 14:27; Act 15:9; Act 16:5; Act 20:21; Act 24:24; Act 26:18.
believe (10x/9v) Strong’s 64100 in Act 8:37; Act 13:41; Act 15:7; Act 15:11; Act 16:31; Act 19:4; Act 26:27; Act 27:25; Act 28:24; believing (4x) Strong’s G4100 in Act 9:26; Act 11:17; Act 18:8; Act 24:14.
saved (12x) Strong’s G4982 in Act 2:21; Act 2:40; Act 2:47; Act 4:12; Act 11:14; Act 15:1; Act 15:11; Act 16:30; Act 16:31; Act 27:20; Act 27:31; Act 28:4.
witnesses (9x) – Strong’s G3144 in Act 1:8; Act 2:32; Act 3:15; Act 5:32; Act 6:13; Act 7:58; Act 10:39; Act 10:41; Act 13:31.
witness (7x) – Strong’s G3144 in Act 1:22; Act 22:15; Act 22:20; Act 26:16; Strong’s G3140 in Act 10:43; Act 23:11; Strong’s G267 in Act 14:17.
Commentaries & Study Bibles
Top 5 Commentaries on Acts by Keith Mathison – Ligonier.org
Best Commentaries on Acts – Tim Challies
Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: Acts
Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible: Acts
Alfords Exegetical Commentary: Acts
Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible: Acts
Reformation Study Bible Notes: Acts
The Biblical Illustrator: Acts
Paul Apple: Acts Commentary
Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: Acts
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Luke-Acts, Theology of
American Tract Society: Acts of the Apostles
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Acts, Book of
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Acts of the Apostles
Fausset Bible Dictionary: Acts of the Apostles
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Acts of the Apostles
Holman Bible Dictionary: Acts
Morrish Bible Dictionary Acts of the Apostles
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Acts of the Apostles
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Acts of the apostles
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica: Acts of the Apostles
McClintock and Strong’s: Acts of the Apostles
The Nuttall Encyclopedia Acts of the Apostles
Assorted articles-mostly theological journals – Acts
Luke
McClinktock & Strong: Luke
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Luke
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Luke
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Luke
Fausset’s Bible Dictionary: Luke
Holman Bible Dictionary: Luke
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Luke
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Luke, the Evangelist
Morrish Bible Dictionary: Luke, Lucas
Nutall Encyclopedia: Luke
Luke, means “luminous, white” – Hitchcock’s Bible Names
Paul
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Paul the Apostle
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Paul
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Paul
Fausset Bible Dictionary: Paul
Holman Bible Dictionary: Paul
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Paul the Apostle
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Paul
Morrish Bible Dictionary: Paul
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Paul, the Apostle
McClintock and Strong: Paul
The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Paul
The Jewish Encyclopedia:
Barnabas
Barnabas – Understanding God’s Will in the World
Barnabas – The High Calling of Playing Second Fiddle
American Tract Society: Barnabas
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Barnabas
Easton’s Bible Dictionary:
Fausset Bible Dictionary: Barnabas
Holman Bible Dictionary: Barnabas
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Barnabas
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Barnabas
Morrish Bible Dictionary:
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia:
McClintock and Strong: Barnabas
The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Barnabas, St.
Timothy
American Tract Society: Timothy
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary:
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Timothy
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Timothy
Fausset Bible Dictionary: Timothy
Holman Bible Dictionary: Timothy
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Timothy
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Timothy
Morrish Bible Dictionary: Timotheus, Timothy
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Timothy
McClintock and Strong: Timothy
The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Timothy
Timothy in Acts: Acts 16:1-3; Acts 17:14-15; Acts 18:5; Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4
Silas, Silvanus
American Tract Society: Silas; Silvanus
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Silas
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Silas
Fausset Bible Dictionary: Silas
Holman Bible Dictionary: Silas, Silvanus
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Silvanus
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Silvanus
Morrish Bible Dictionary: Silas
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Silvanus
McClintock and Strong: Silvanus
Silas in Acts: Acts 15:22-41; Acts 16; Acts 17; Acts 18:5
Pharisees
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Pharisees
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Pharisees
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Pharisees
Fausset Bible Dictionary: Pharisees
Holman Bible Dictionary: Jewish Parties in the New Testament
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Pharisees
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Pharisees
Morrish Bible Dictionary: Pharisees
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Pharisees
McClintock and Strong: Pharisee
The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Pharisees
The Jewish Encyclopedia: Pharisees
Sadducees
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Sadducees
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Sadducees
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Sadducees
Fausset Bible Dictionary: Sadducees
Holman Bible Dictionary: Jewish Parties in the New Testament
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Sadducees
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Sadducees
Morrish Bible Dictionary: Sadducees
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Sadducees
McClintock and Strong: Sadducee
The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Sadducees
The Jewish Encyclopedia: Sadducees
Scribes
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Scribes
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Scribes
Fausset Bible Dictionary: Scribes
Holman Bible Dictionary: Scribe
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Scribes
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Scribes
Morrish Bible Dictionary: Scribes
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Scribes
McClintock and Strong: Scribes, Jewish
The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Scribes, The
The Jewish Encyclopedia: Scribes
John the Baptist
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: John the Baptist
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: John the Baptist
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: John the Baptist
Fausset Bible Dictionary: John the Baptist
Holman Bible Dictionary:
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: John the Baptist
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: John the Baptist
Morrish Bible Dictionary: John the Baptist
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: John the Baptist
McClintock and Strong: John the Baptist
The Nuttall Encyclopedia: John the Baptist
The Jewish Encyclopedia: John the Baptist
Assorted articles-mostly theological journals – John the Baptist
Alfred Edersheim
Sketches of Jewish Social Life
The Temple —Its Ministry and Services
The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
Whyte’s Dictionary of Bible Characters
Matthias the Successor to Judas Iscariot
Articles
E Earle Ellis – The End of the Earth (Acts 1:8) – Bulletin for Biblical Research 1991,123-32
Paul House – Suffering and the Purpose of Acts – JETS 33: 1990 (317-330)
Bruce – Luke’s Presentation of the Spirit in Acts
Allen- Acts Studies in the 1990’s Unity and Diversity
deSilva- Paul’s Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia
Gasque – The Historical Value of the Book of Acts
Gasque – The Historical Value of the Book of Acts – separate article
Goetz – Acts 17:6 Flipping the World on Its Head (Acts 17-6; I Pet. 2-91)
Hemer, The Speeches of Acts: Pt 1: The Ephesian Elders; Pt 2: Areopagus
Kistemaker- The Speeches in Acts
Koivisto – Stephen’s Speech: A Theology of Errors?
McIntyre- Baptism and Forgiveness in Acts 2-38
McRay- Archaeology and the Book of Acts
Moore – To the End of the Earth…
Murray- Paul’s Corporate Evangelism in the Book of Acts
Palmer – Acts and the Historical Monograph
Poythress – Modern Spiritual Gifts as Analogous to Apostolic Gifts
Rainer- Church Growth and Evangelism in the Book of Acts
Schnabel-Fads &Common Sense-Reading Acts in 1st Century & Reading Today
Vines- Evangelistic Preaching and the Book of Acts
Walton, “The Acts – of God? What is the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ all about?”
Wiarda – The Jerusalem Council and the Theological Task
Biblical Studies – Acts – multiple journal articles (UK)
Bible.org Acts – Multiple Resources
Fruchtenbaum: Rabbinic Quotations of the Old Testament and how it Relates to Joel 2 and Acts 2
Bob Deffinbaugh – The Unique Contribution of the Book of Acts
Myer Pearlman – Through the Bible – Acts
James Gray – Acts of the Apostles
William W. Orr – Key to Acts
Daniel B. Wallace: Did Priscilla “Teach” Apollos? An Examination of the Meaning of ἐκτίθημι in Acts 18:26
Greg Herrick: A Study Outline of Acts
GotQuestions.org
Treat like any commentary: read carefully and thoughtfully.
Who was Theophilus at the beginning of Luke and Acts?
Was Matthias or Paul God’s choice to replace Judas as the 12th apostle?
What is the gift of speaking in tongues? Is it for today?
Is speaking in tongues evidence for having the Holy Spirit?
Does Acts 2:38 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? (See also Is baptism necessary for salvation?)
What does the Bible mean when it speaks of the breaking of bread?
What was early Christianity like?
Why did God kill Ananias and Sapphira for lying?
What was in the shadow of Peter that healed people (Acts 5:15-16)?
Who were the Hellenistic Jews in the Bible?
What can we learn from the life of Stephen?
Why had the believers in Samaria not received the Holy Spirit?
What can we learn from the life of Paul?
What happened on the road to Damascus? What is a road to Damascus experience?
Who was Cornelius in the Bible?
When and why was Saul’s name changed to Paul?
What were the different missionary journeys of Paul?
What happened on Paul’s first missionary journey?
What happened on Paul’s second missionary journey?
What happened on Paul’s third missionary journey?
What happened between Paul’s third and fourth missionary journeys?
What happened on Paul’s fourth missionary journey?
What is “the Way” in the Bible?
What can we learn from the life of Barnabas?
What was the meaning and importance of the Jerusalem Council?
What does the Bible say about household salvation?
Who were the Bereans in the Bible?
What is Epicureanism? What did Epicurus teach?
What happened at Mars Hill in the Bible?
Who is the unknown god in Acts 17:23?
Why had the disciples in Ephesus not received the Holy Spirit?
Who were the seven sons of Sceva?
Who is the Artemis mentioned in the Bible?
Who was Tychicus in the Bible?
What is the whole counsel of God?
Does Acts 22:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
What does it mean to kick against the pricks?
What can we learn from the life of James, the brother of Jesus?
What can we learn from the life of Luke?
What should we learn from the account of Paul and Barnabas?
What should we learn from the account of Paul and Silas?
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Series: Resources by Book
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