SUMMARY OF THE BOOK OF ACTS OF APOSTLES

BIBLICAL #12: THE CHURCH

PERIOD
FOCUS Witness in Jerusalem Witness in Judea Witness to the ends of
and Samaria the earth
COVENANT THE NEW COVENANT IN CHRIST
SCRIPTURE 1:1----------3:1-------------8:5--------------------13:1-----------21:17---28:31
DIVISION Birth Progress Expansion Paul's 3 Paul's
of the of the of the missionary trials
Church Church Church journeys
The faithful remnant of
the Old Covenant Samaria [Israel] The Gentiles are
becomes the New comes into the reunited with the
TOPIC Covenant Church New Covenant Family of God
Simon-Peter's apostolic Philip the Paul's conversion and
mission deacon's mission apostolic mission

LOCATION Jerusalem Judea and The world

Samaria
TIME 30 years [from 30 AD - c. 60/ 61 AD]

TIME LINE: AD
World Empire: The Roman Empire ----------------------------------------------------------
[Roman Province of Judea]
30 _______35_______42________49_________62______64_______66_______70
-Jesus’ -James -Peter -Council of -James - fire -Jewish -Romans
Crucifixion, son founds Jerusalem Christian destroys Revolt destroy
Resurrec-, of Zebedee Church -2nd mission Bishop Rome against Jerusalem
tion, martyred in Rome of Paul of -Christian Rome and the
Ascension -Church in -Paul (AD 49-52) Jerusalem persecution Temple
-2nd Great Antioch, Turkey 1st - Paul 3rd martyred by Romans
Pentecost founded by Peter mission mission (AD53-58) -67? Peter and
(AD 44-49) Paul martyred in Rome

M. Hunt © www.AgapeBibleStudy.com
The Gospel of John has no mini apocalypse like the other 3 Gospels. Is it because the
Holy Spirit revealed the maxi apocalypse to St. John during his imprisonment on the
island of Patmos? John’s vision in the Book of Revelation follows the same outline as
the Synoptic Gospels with the addition of the creation of the New Heaven and New
Earth.

The Synoptic Gospels vs. Revelation—

The Judgment on Jerusalem
REVELATION MATTHEW MARK LUKE
Chapter 6 Chapter 24 Chapter 13 Chapter 21
1. Wars: Wars: Wars: Wars:
verses 1-2 verse 6 verse 7 verse 10
2. International International International International
Strife: Strife: Strife: Strife:
verses 3-4 verse 7a verse 8a verse 10
3. Famine Famine Famine Famine
verses 5-6 verse 7b verse 8c verse 11b
4. Pestilence Pestilence
verses 7-8 verse 11
5. Persecution Persecution Persecution Persecution
verses 9-11 Verses 9-13 verses 9-13 verses 12-19
6. Earthquakes Earthquakes Earthquakes Earthquakes
verses 12-17 verse 7c verse 8b Verse 11a
7. De-creation De-creation De-creation De-creation
verses 12-17 verses 15-31 verses 14-27 verses 20-27
Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon were destroyed by the Babylonian army on the 9th
of Ab [Av] 587/6BC and Jerusalem and the Second Temple were destroyed by the
Roman Army on the 9th of Ab 70AD. Is this just an amazing coincidence or a
prophesized act of divine judgment?

M. Hunt © 2000 www.AgapeBibleStudy.com

 The Regenerative Power of Christian Baptism

The Regenerative Power of Christian Baptism which images Christ:

Christ’s crucifixion Christ’s Resurrection Æ Christ’s glorified new life
and death Æ
Our crucifixion with Christ Our resurrection to new life Our final Resurrection and
and our death to sin & self through the power of the glorification at the end of
into the waters of baptismÆ Holy Spirit =“born again” time
or “born from above” in the
image of Christ raised up
through the water of
baptism Æ
M. Hunt copyright 2006

The Old Covenant vs. the New Covenant

In Romans 4:13-17, St. Paul presents the alternative to disobedience to the Law which
leads to transgression of the Law and God’s wrathful judgment through God’s promise of
salvation in the gift of unmerited grace and faith.

The Law ÆtransgressionÆwrath God’s promisesÆunmerited graceÆfaith

God’s power to make us godly is greater than the power of concupiscence which
tempts us to sin [see CCC#405; 1264; 2515-16].

In Romans 6:16-23, St. Paul contrasts the parallels between two dominations. One form
of domination is under the Old Covenant Law and the other is under the New Covenant
in Christ.
Old Covenant Dominion of sin Æ Law = Judgment Æ Death & the grave
New Covenant Dominion of Holiness = Salvation /Eternal
grace Æ Sanctification Æ life
M. Hunt © 2006 www.AgapeBibleStudy.com
 ST. PAUL’S SEVEN CHRISTIAN GIFTS

In Romans chapter 12, St. Paul writes of seven Christian gifts of service that build up the
Body of Christ, which is the Church:
Just as each of us has various parts in one body, and the parts do not all have the same
function: in the same way, all of us, though there are so many of us, make up one body in
Christ, and as different parts we are all joined to one another. Then since the gifts that
we have differ according to the grace that was given to each of us: if it is a gift of
prophecy, we should prophesy as much as our faith tells us; if it is a gift of practical
service, let us devote ourselves to serving; if it is teaching, to teaching; if it is
encouraging, to encouraging. When you give, you should give generously from the heart;
if you are put in charge, you must be conscientious; if you do works of mercy, let it be
because you enjoy doing them. Let love be without any pretence. Avoid what is evil stick
to what is good. In brotherly love let your feelings of deep affection for one another
come to expression and regard others as more important than yourself. In the service of
the Lord, work not half-heartedly but with conscientiousness and an eager spirit.
Romans 12:4-11 (New Jerusalem Bible translation)

Paul lists 7 gifts and 7 functions or effects of the gift:

GIFT EFFECT OF THE SERVICE
1. prophecy Inspired preaching to build up faith within the community
2. practical service The exercise of necessary services/ ministries that promote the
growth of the Church
3. teaching To provide the faithful with right teaching to understand the faith
4. encouraging or To promote ethical teaching and practice within the community
exhortation
5. almsgiving Generously given to support the Church and her ministries
6. position of To conscientiously and humbly provide resources and leadership
authority in serve to the faith community

7. acts of mercy Bringing relief to the unfortunate with a cheerfulness of spirit that
relieves the recipient of embarrassment through understanding
that performing the service on their behalf is a privilege of love.

1. Prophecy: Paul lists “prophecy” as the first of the gifts. He is not referring to the gift
of predicting the future but rather to the first mission of the prophet which is to speak the
words of God to the people, inspiring them to live in fellowship with God [see 1
Corinthians 12:10, 28; 13:2; 14:1, 3-6, 24, 39; and 1 Timothy 4:14]. According to the
literal translation this gift is to be used in “according to the analogy of faith”. The Greek
word analogia means “right relationship, proportion”. In other words, all inspired
preaching must agree with the teachings of Christ and His earthly representative, the
Church. If certain preaching does not agree, it is not inspired by the Holy Spirit.

2. Practical Service: Paul uses the Greek word diakonia, meaning “service”. It is the
word from which comes our English word “deacon”. Paul may be referring to those who
serve in a specific ministry, as our deacons serve today, or he may have in mind all
ministries that serve to build up the faith community. Paul applied this same term to his
own ministry in Romans 11:13 and used the term in the same way in 1 Corinthians 12:5; 2
Corinthians 4:1; 11:8; Colossians 4:17; and Ephesians 4:12.

3. Teaching: In the Greek a ho didaskon is “the one who gives instruction”. Paul uses this
term for one who gives instruction in the interpretation of sacred Scripture or in catechesis
[see 1 Corinthians 14:19 and Galatians 6:6].

4. Exhortation: Paul is using the Greek word paraklesis and is probably referring to one
who guides the members of the Church in their communal life by encouraging or teaching
ethical behavior or is living in the example of ethical behavior [see 1 Thessalonians 5:11;
Philippians 2:1; and Hebrews 13:22].

5. Almsgiving: The Greek word metadidonai describes one who contributes to charity,
sharing from his private wealth [see Luke 3:11; Ephesians 4:28]. Such a person, when
giving from the heart without hope of recognition or thanks, gives motivated by the Holy
Spirit and contributes to the well being of individuals in need within the Church and to the
Church as a whole. Such a person judges genuine “wealth” in spiritual terms and not in
monetary terms.

6. Authority: The literal Greek word used in the 6th charism is ho proistamenos,
meaning “the one standing at the head”, or a leader who presides or directs. This person
would be one to whom the Spirit has given the gift of wisdom and leadership to guide the
community in its various ministries and functions.

7. Mercy: The seventh position is ho eleon, in the Greek, “the one who performs acts of
mercy”. Paul probably intents this gift to include all acts of mercy including caring for the
sick, burying the dead, etc. However, he cautions that this gift should be accompanied by
cheerfulness. If this gift doesn’t come from a heart of love which receives joy from serving
God through serving brothers and sisters who are in need of God’s mercy then the charism
is not genuine.
In all these gifts, the spirit in which the gifts are carried out is as important as the acts
themselves.

M. Hunt © 2006
From the Agape Bible Study on St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans
This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman
sits. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but
when he does come, he must remain for a little while. The beast who once was, and now
is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
Revelation 17:9-11

LIST OF ROMAN EMPERORS

The Roman Historian Tacitus in his history, The Annals, begins his list of Roman
emperors with Augustus Caesar (Octavian), but the Roman Historian Suetonius begins
his list of Roman Emperors in Lives of the Twelve Caesars with Julius Caesar as the
first of the Roman Emperors as does Dio Cassius in his Roman History and Josephus in
his Antiquities of the Jews. There were, therefore, two official lists in use in the first
century AD.
Suetonius’ List Tacitus’ List
1. Julius Caesar died 44BC
2. Augustus Caesar died 14AD 1. Augustus Caesar
3. Tiberius died 37AD 2. Tiberius
4. Caligula died 41AD 3. Caligula
5. Claudius died 54AD 4. Claudius
6. Nero died 68AD 5. Nero
7. Galba died 69AD 6. Galba
8. Ortho died 69AD 7. Ortho
9. Vitilleus died 69AD 8. Vitilleus
10. Vespasian died 79AD 9. Vespasian
11. Titus died 81AD 10. Titus
12. Domitian died 96AD 11. Domitian

LIST OF 10 IMPERIAL PROVINCES

Italy
Achaia
Asia
Syria/Judea
Egypt
Africa
Spain
Gaul
Britain
Germany

LIST OF THE HERODIAN RULERS

1. Herod the Great 5. Herod of Chalcis
2. Archelaus 6. Agrippa I
3. Herod Antipas 7. Agrippa II
4. Philip Herod
Michal Hunt 2000 www.AgapeBibleStudy.com
 THE JOURNEYS OF ST. PAUL—APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES

ST. PAUL’S CALL TO CONVERSION and NEW LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN

Witnessed St. Stephen’s martyrdom Acts 8:1
Mission to arrest Christians for the Sanhedrin Acts 8:3
Conversion experience on the Road to Damascus Acts 9:1-19
Paul preaches in Damascus Acts 9:20-25
Spends 3 years in Arabia Galatians 1:17-18
Returns to Damascus Galatians 1:17
Meets with the Apostles Peter, James (Bishop of Jerusalem) , and Acts 9:26-30;
John in Jerusalem Galatians 1:17-19
Goes to Caesarea and from there home to Tarsus Acts 9L30;
Galatians 1:21
Called by Barnabas to join him in Antioch, Syria Acts 11:26
Takes a famine relief contribution to Jerusalem Acts 11:3
Returns to Antioch, Syria Acts 12:25

ST. PAUL’S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY:

Approximate dates: 45 – 49 AD
Companions: Barnabas, John Mark
Mission field: Cyprus and Asia Minor (Turkey)
Approximate miles traveled: 1,400 miles
Sent by church of Antioch, Syria
Mission to Cyprus by way of Seleucia Acts 13:4-12
Antioch in Pisidia Acts 13:13-51
Iconium Acts 14:1-5
Lystra in Lycaonia Acts 14:6-19
Derbe Acts 14:20
Back through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch Pisidia Acts 14:21-26
Return to home church at Antioch, Syria Acts 14:27-28
Council of Jerusalem Acts 15

ST. PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY:

Approximate dates: 50 – 52 AD
Companions: Silas, timothy, Priscilla and Aquila, Luke
Mission field: Syria, Turkey, Greece
Approximate miles traveled: 2,800 miles
Sent by church of Antioch, Syria
Syria and Cilicia (Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia was Paul’s Acts 15:23
hometown)
Derbe and Lystra in Lycaonia (Timothy’s home) Acts 16:1-5
Phrygia and Galatia Acts 16:6
Mysia to Troas Acts 16:610
Samothracis and Neapolis Acts 16:11
Philippi in Macedonia Acts 16:12-40
Amphipolis and Apollonia Acts 17:1
Thessalonica Acts 17:1-9
Beroea (Berea) Acts 17:10-15
Athens Acts 17:16-34
Corinth Acts 18:1-18
Cenchrea (Cenchreae) Acts 18:18
Ephesus Acts 18:19-21
Caesarea Acts 18:22
Jerusalem Acts 18:23
Antioch, Syria Acts 18:23

ST. PAUL’S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY

Approximate dates: 53 – 58 AD
Companions: Timothy, Luke, and other disciples
Mission field: Turkey, Greece, Lebanon, Judea-Samaria-Galilee
Approximate miles traveled 2,700
Sent by church of Antioch, Syria
Galatia and Phrygia Acts 18:23
Ephesus Acts 19:1-20; 23-
40
Macedonia Acts 19:21; 20:1
Greece (Achaia) Acts 20:2-3
Macedonia, Philippi, and Troas Acts 20:3-12
Assos, Mitylene; near Chios, Samos, Trogyllium, Miletus Acts 20:13-38
Cos, Rhodes, Patara Acts 21:1-2
Tyre and Ptolemais Acts 21:3-7
Caesarea Acts 21:8-16
Jerusalem Acts 21:17-23:22
Caesarea (imprisoned 2 years) Acts 23:23-26:32

ST. PAUL’S FOURTH JOURNEY TO ROME

Approximate date: 60/61 AD
Companions: Luke, Roman guards, others
By way of Lebanon, Turkey, Crete, Malta, Sicily, Rome
Approximate miles traveled: 2,250 miles
Sent by Roman Governor Festus
Caesarea Acts 27:1-3
Sidon, Myra, Cnidus Acts 27:4-7
Fair Havens (Crete) Acts 27:8
Clauda (Cauda) Acts 27:15
Malta (Melita) Acts 28:1-10
Syracuse, Rhegium, Puteoli Acts 28:11-11-13
Forum of Appius and Three Taverns Acts 28:15
Rome Acts 28:16
Michal Hunt copyright 1998

OTHER TRAVELS—YEAR OF TRAVEL UNKNOWN:

Macedonia to Illyricum: 1 Timothy 1:3
Troas and Miletus: 2 Timothy 4:13, 20
Crete: Titus 1:5
Mission to Spain: circa 63-66AD: Romans 15:28
Nicopolis: Titus 3:12

MARTYRDOM:
Back to Rome and martyrdom: 2 Timothy 1; death June 29, 67AD