Notes on the Introduction to Acts

(Originally written January 12, 2006 in Book 20)

Matthew - Jewish Audience
Mark - Roman Audience

Rabbinic Debate: Shammai vs. Hillel

Shammai - Deuteronomy 24:1 Divorce for adultery
Hillel - Deuteronomy 24:1 Divorce for any cause

Jesus replies with Genesis 1:27 & 2:24

Crucifixion of Jesus

Saturday - Anointment of Jesus by Mary
Sunday - Triumphal entry
Monday - Curses the fig tree (again) and changes the Temple
Tuesday - See the fig tree withered, Jesus argues with religious leaders, Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives and tells the disciples of the signs of the End
Wednesday - inactive
Thursday: Last Supper in Mark's mother's house. Jesus arrested and taken to the Sanhedrin

5 Precautions taken in case that Jesus would not rise from the Dead
1) Prepared in accordance with Jewish burial customs
2) Placed in a new tomb "cut out of the rock"
3) A "Big Stone", "Extremely large" was rolled in front of the tomb's entrance
4) Roman Guard was place in front of the tomb (probably four men)
5) Seal of Rome placed on the entrance of the tomb

Introduction to Acts

Acts 1:8 gives the outline of the Book of Acts

I. The Witness in Jerusalem 1:1-6:7
II. The Witness in All Judea and Samaria 6:8-9:21
III. The Witness to the Ends of the Earth 9:32-28:31
-Antioch (Syria) * Antioch is the missionary church 9:32-12:24
-Asia Minor 12:25-16:5
-Aegean (Greece) 16:16-19:20
-Rome 19:21-28:31

"Progress Report" Refrains in Acts
6:7, 9:31, 12:24, 19:20, 20:31

Acts 8-12

8:1-3 The Church is being persecuted in Jerusalem and the members scattered. Stephen was buried while Saul tries to destroy the church.

8:4-8 Wherever the scattered members went they preached. Philip went to Samaria and cast out demons, healed and taught. There was great joy in the city.

8:9-25 Philip is preaching in Samaria when a sorcerer believed and is baptized. Peter and John came out to Samaria to bring them the Holy Spirit. The sorcerer offers to pay Peter and John to teach him the power. They rebuke him for his wicked and sinful heart, trying to buy God's grace.

8:26-40 Philip goes down to the road and hears an Ethiopian reading from Isaiah. Philip explained what the passage means to the man. Philip baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch and then he is taken away by the Spirit.