The Book of Acts
Acts is about the Holy Spirit, the transformation of the apostles, and the beginning of the church. Underlying these important themes are the continuation of God’s saving work in Jesus Christ as Lord. It is pivotal that the modern church grasp the formation of the church in Acts. Not necessarily in a sugar-coated idealism of ‘getting back to the way things God intended’ but as a true-to-life understanding that the church was birthed in suffering. What we see throughout the book is transformed men and women proclaiming the gospel openly, getting arrested, beaten and even killed. How did they get this courage to proclaim Christ at the detriment of their own lives? They saw the power of the resurrection, received the Holy Spirit at pentecost, and understood the fulfillment of the Old Testament in light of Jesus.
Sermons
“Luke wrote Acts to show all of us that God is fulfilling his plan and his promises so that we can be assured and confident in trusting in Jesus. If you’re a believer, a skeptic, or if you have doubts in your faith, this book is for you.” – Brad Snyder
Books as Resources
These resources have been used by Veritas preachers to prepare sermons.
The Book of Acts by F.F. Bruce
Inspiration and Incarnation by Peter Enns
Ministries of Mercy by Tim Keller
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis
The Message of Acts by John Stott
The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus by Alan J. Thompson
Deacons by Robert H. Thune
Veritas Deacon Development
“We need to cultivate sensitive ears and obedient hearts to the leading of the Holy Spirit.”
–Aaron Lockhart
Timeline of Events in Acts
put together by Pastor Brad Snyder
| Year | Event | Bible Reference | Letter Written |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Crucifixion,Resurrection,Ascension | Acts 1:1-11 | |
| 30 | Pentecost | 2:1-41 | |
| 32,33 | Steven is stoned | Acts 7:54-60 | |
| 32,33 | Saul is converted | Acts 9:1-19 | |
| 35,36 | Paul visits Jerusalem | Acts 9:26-28; Galatians 1:18-20 |
|
| 43,44 | James executed | Acts 12:1-2 | |
| 46,47 | Paul’s second visit to Jerusalem | Acts 11:27-30 | |
| 46,47 | Famine in Judea | Galatians 2:1-20 | |
| 47,48 | Paul’s first missionary journey | Acts 13-14 | Galatians |
| 49 | The council of Jerusalem | Acts 15 | |
| 49 | Paul’s second missionary journey: Syria, Cicilia, Derbe, Lystra, Troas, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens |
Acts 15:36 | |
| 49 | Claudius expels Jews from Rome | Acts 18:2 | |
| 50,52 | Paul in Corinth | Acts 18:1-18 | 1 & 2 Thessalonians |
| 52 | Paul returns to Antioch via Ephesus | Acts 18:18-22 | |
| 52 | Paul sent on third missionary journey | Acts 18:23 | |
| 52-55 | Paul in Ephesus | Acts 19:1-20:1 | 1 Corinthians |
| 55-56 | Paul in Macedonia | Acts 20:1-2 | 2 Corinthians |
| 56-57 | Paul winters in Corinth | Acts 20:2-3 | Romans |
| 56-57 | Jews allowed to return to Rome | Acts 20:2-3 | Romans |
| 57 | Paul travels to Jerusalem | Acts 20:3-21:17 | |
| 57 | Paul speaks to the Ephesian Elders in Miletus | Acts 20:17-38 | |
| 57 | Paul is arrested in the Temple | Acts 21:27-36 | |
| 57 | Paul speaks before the people and the council | Acts 21:37-23:11 | |
| 57-59 | Paul in Caesarean prison | Acts 23:23-24:27 | Luke writes the Gospel Luke? |
| 57-59 | Paul tried before Felix | Acts 24:1-22 | Luke writes the Gospel Luke? |
| 59 | Paul tried before Festus and Agrippa | Acts 25:6-26:32 | |
| 59-60 | Appeal to Caesar and travel to Rome | Acts 27:1-28:16 | |
| 60-62 | Paul under house arrest in Rome | Acts 28:16 | |
| 62 | Paul under house arrest in Rome | Acts 28:16 | Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and maybe Acts |
| 62 | Paul released? | 1 Timothy & Titus | |
| 64-66 | Paul re-arrested? | 2 Timothy | |
| 64-68 | Martyrdom of Peter and Paul under Nero |
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