Highlighting the Bible, Part VII: The Acts of the Apostles (Acts)

A.Hanson, NYC 2014

The book of The Acts of the Apostles is part of a series with Luke's Gospel.  The title is quite informative, as the book does indeed refer to the actions of Jesus' apostles.  It tells the story of the growing Christian church from its very beginnings in Jerusalem.  We often only pay attention to Acts when the story of Pentecost is read (Acts 2:1-21) or perhaps the story of the Ascension (Acts 1:1-11).  This book traces the path that the first believers traced in their work of evangelism and many of the places mentioned in Acts will be found in letters that the apostle Paul writes.

The following passages from Acts do not appear in the lectionary:

Acts 1:18-20 (a commentary about the scriptures being fulfilled about Judas' betrayal)

Acts 3:1-10 (Peter heals a crippled beggar)

Acts 3:20-26 (commentary cited from Moses about the coming of a prophetic messiah)

Acts 4:1-4 (a description of the arrest of Peter and John because they were telling the story of the resurrection)

Acts 4:13-31 (The believers pray for boldness)

Acts 4:36-37 (a description of Joseph, called Barnabus, who sold some land and gave the proceeds to the apostles)

Acts 5:1-26 (Ananias and Sapphira, the healing of many by the apostles, and the persecution of the apostles)

Acts 5:33-42 (A pharisee named Gamaliel convinces the crowds not to arrest the apostles)

Acts 6 (Seven chosen to serve: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, also the arrest of Stephen)

Acts 7:1-54 (Stephen's speech to the council)

Acts 8:1-13 (Saul's persecution of the church, Philip preaching in Samaria)

Acts 8:18-25 (Simon offered to pay the apostles to lay hands on him and give him the holy spirit)

Acts 9:19-35 (Saul preaches in Damascus, Saul escapes from the Jews, Saul in Jerusalem, the healing of Aeneas)

Acts 10:1-33 (Peter and Cornelius)

Acts 11:19-30 (The Church in Antioch)

Acts 12:12-25 (Peter is released from prison and goes to visit Mary the mother of John.  No one believes he is alive; the death of Herod)

Acts 13: (Barnabus and Saul are commissioned; The apostles preach in Cyprus; Paul and Barnabus in Antioch of Pisidia)

Acts 14 (Paul and Barnabus in Iconium; Paul and Barnabus in Lystra and Derbe; The return to Antioch in Syria)

Acts 15 (The council at Jerusalem; The council's letter to gentile believers; Paul and Barnabus separate)

Acts 16:1-8 (Timothy joins Paul and Silas; Paul's vision of the man of Macedonia)

Acts 16:35-40 (the magistrates release Paul from jail in Phillipi)

Acts 17:1-21 (The uproar in Thessalonica; Paul and Silas in Beroaea; Paul in Athens)

Acts 17:32-22 (a few believers come to the church based on Paul's sermon at the Areopagus)

Acts 18 (Paul in Corinth; Paul's return to Antioch; Ministry of Apollos)

Acts 19:8-41 (The Sons of Sceva; The riot in Ephesus)

Acts 20 (Paul goes to Macedonia and Greece; Paul's farewell visit to Troas; The Voyage from Troas to Miletus; Paul speaks to the Ephesian elders)

Acts 21 (Paul's journey to Jerusalem; Paul visits James at Jerusalem; Paul arrested at the Temple; Paul defends himself)

Acts 22 (Paul tells of his conversion; Paul is sent to the Gentiles; Paul and the Roman Tribune; Paul before the Council)

Acts 23 (Paul before the Council; the plot to kill Paul; Paul sent to Felix the Governor)

Acts 24 (Paul before Felix at Caesarea; Paul's defense before Felix; Paul held in custody)

Acts 25 (Paul appeals to the emperor; Festus consults King Agrippa; Paul brought before Agrippa)

Acts 26 (Paul defends himself before Agrippa; Paul tells of his conversion; Paul tells of his preaching; Paul appeals to Agrippa to believe)

Acts 27 (Paul sails for Rome; The storm at sea; The shipwreck)

Acts 28 (Paul on the island of Malta; Paul arrives at Rome; Paul and Jewish leaders in Rome; Paul preaches in Rome