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Acts Study #3: Survey of the Book of Acts, Part 2
Hechos Estudio #3: La visión general del Libro de los Hechos, Parte 2
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All Bible quotations and the arrangement are found exclusively in the Kingdom Study Bible version, published by Jehovah Has Spoken Publishing Ministries. It is published for free in PDF format on this website.
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“This is the work of Jehovah! It is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:23
Book 4.5 (Acts): The apostles preached the gospel of Christ to both Jews and Gentiles (1:1 - 28:31)
Complement Part 1: The apostles and leaders of the assembly in Jerusalem were persecuted by the Jews (1:1 - 12:24)
Unique Chapter 1.1: Many Jews of the Diaspora believed the gospel of Jesus Christ (1:1 - 2:47)
Complement Chapter 1.2: The Sanhedrin violently rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ from the apostles (3:1 - 5:42)
Complement Chapter 1.3: The Sanhedrin violently rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ from Stephen (6:1 - 8:4)
Opposite Chapter 1.4: The salvation of Saul of Tarsus: a devout, but false Jew under the Old Covenant (8:5 - 9:31)
Opposite Chapter 1.5: The completion of Cornelius: a devout and true Gentile believer in Jehovah under the Old Covenant (9:32 - 12:24)
Complement Part 2: The missionaries from the assembly in Antioch were persecuted by the Jews and Gentiles (12:25 - 28:31)
Unique Chapter 2.1: The Jews of Asia Minor violently opposed the efforts of Paul and Barnabas to plant churches (12:25 - 15:35)
Complement Chapter 2.2: The Gentiles and Jews of Greece violently opposed the efforts of Paul and Silas to plant churches (15:36 - 18:22)
Complement Chapter 2.3: The Gentiles of Ephesus violently opposed the efforts of Paul to teach the Word (18:23 - 20:38)
Opposite Chapter 2.4: Paul the free man traveled to Jerusalem to witness to the Jews (21:1 - 23:11)
Opposite Chapter 2.5: Paul the prisoner witnessed to the Gentile Roman government in Caesarea before traveling to Rome (23:12 - 28:31)
Unique Chapter 2.1: The Jews of Asia Minor violently opposed the efforts of Paul and Barnabas to plant churches (12:25 - 15:35)
Paul and Barnabas traveled through the island of Cyprus; and then the text focuses on their encounter with an evil man who seemed to be a counselor of the Roman deputy of the country: Elymas the sorcerer.
While the opposition in this instance cannot be called physically violent, it was certainly powerful (as in Satanic), and Paul dealt decisively with him, using his spiritual authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ (13:6 - 12). This is the Introduction Section.
In the Body Section, in 13:13 - 52, Paul preached a sermon in a synagogue of the Jews in Antioch in Pisidia, and many of the Jews and Gentile converts believed in Christ, but afterward were chased out of the area.
Then in Iconium, they preached the Gospel, but after some time, they were finally chased out of that city as well (14:5-6).
In this region, Paul was stoned by the Jews, and assumed to be dead. It seems that the Lord raised him from death, but the text is not clear on this. Nevertheless, Paul and Barnabas certainly received a violent reception from the people of this region of Asia Minor.
The Conclusion Section details the first Council of Jerusalem, which is the tail end of this Chapter, and not the main theme. The Chapter ends with Paul and Barnabas teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord in the Assembly (or church) in Antioch (15:1-35).
Complement Chapter 2.2: The Gentiles and Jews of Greece violently opposed the efforts of Paul and Silas to plant churches (15:36 - 18:22)
This Chapter is the second Missionary Journey of the apostle Paul, which begins with conflict between Paul and Barnabas over whether they should bring Mark with them or not. It ends with Paul taking Silas instead of Barnabas and traveling through Asia Minor, confirming the new Assemblies (or churches) that he had planted in the previous journey. This is the Introduction Section.
In the Body Section, Paul encounters a troublesome demon-possessed girl in Philippi of Greece, who followed them around. Paul was finally forced to command the demon to depart out of her (16:16-18). This action led to their imprisonment overnight, but this led to the salvation of the warden of the prison and his entire household (16:19-34)
Then, in Thessalonica, the Jews gathered a mob and attempted to arrest Paul and his assistants; but they escaped to Berea (17:1-8).
In Berea, the Jews of Thessalonica came there and stirred up trouble again for Paul, so the Christians sent Paul away, who went to Athens, and preached the Gospel on Mars Hill, where some were saved, and some mocked him (17:10-34).
In the Conclusion Section, Paul went to Corinth, where many were saved, but eventually the Jews once again made insurrection against Paul and dragged him before the judgment seat of Gallio the Roman governor, but Gallio let Paul go (18:10-22); and the Chapter ends with Paul returning to Antioch (18:22).
Complement Chapter 2.3: The Gentiles of Ephesus violently opposed the efforts of Paul to teach the Word (18:23 - 20:38)
In the Introduction Section, there are two encounters with disciples of John the Baptist, who knew nothing of Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit (18:23 - 19:7).
In the Body Section, Paul preaches for two years in the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor, training disciples in his own Bible school (19:8 - 20). Then, some unbelieving Jews attempted to cast out a demon “by Jesus whom Paul preaches”, and the demon chased them out of that house “naked and wounded”, resulting in a great revival in that city.
While Paul was there, a group of silversmiths who made idols raised up a riot in the city against Paul, because of his preaching against idolatry which had endangered their careers (19:21 - 20:1).
After this, while he was returning to Jerusalem, he raised a young man from the dead who had fallen down from a high loft in the church in Troas (20:2 - 12).
In the Conclusion Section, Paul ended his third missionary journey by preaching a farewell sermon to the elders of the church in Ephesus (20:13-37).
The Chapter ends with the elders of the church accompanying him to the ship.
Opposite Chapter 2.4: Paul the free man traveled to Jerusalem to witness to the Jews (21:1 - 23:11)
Chapter 2.4 begins a separate group of Chapters within Part 2, because from this point onward, Paul is no longer planting churches as a free missionary, but he becomes a prisoner of the Roman government of Judea.
In the Introduction Section, Paul travels toward Jerusalem, being warned repeatedly that chains and imprisonment await him, which he already knows and has accepted.
In the Body Section, Paul attempts to appease the church leadership in Jerusalem by joining a group of men with a Nazarite vow upon them; but instead the Jews in the Temple recognize him and try to kill him; but under the providence of God, the Roman army rescues him, and he is allowed to give his testimony of salvation to the same people who had just tried to kill him (21:27 - 22:21).
In the Conclusion Section, the previous event led to Paul being hauled before the Jewish Council of the Sanhedrin, which he managed to divide and cause them to fight among themselves by identifying as a Pharisee in his basic belief system of the resurrection, which was true.
The Chapter ends with the Lord Jesus commending Paul, and telling him that he must also witness at Rome in the same way that he had witnessed to the Jews.
Opposite Chapter 2.5: Paul the prisoner witnessed to the Gentile Roman government in Caesarea before traveling to Rome (23:12 - 28:31)
In the Introduction Section, Paul is transported from Jerusalem to Caesarea under heavy guard, because of information that a group of Jewish fanatics were planning to kill him (23:12 - 35).
In the Body Section, Paul first defended himself before Felix, and also preached the Gospel to him (24:1 -27).
Then, Paul defends himself and preaches the Gospel to king Agrippa and Festus (25:1 - 26:32).
The final paragraph of the Body Section details the trip by sea as a prisoner of Rome to the island of Malta, where their ship was wrecked (27:1 - 44).
The Conclusion Section covers their trip from Malta to Rome, and then his sermon to the Jews of Rome and their reaction to it (28:17 - 28:31).
So the UCC-OO design of Part 2 of the Book of Acts is crystal clear: one Unique, two Complements, and two Opposites:
Complement Part 2: The missionaries from the assembly in Antioch were persecuted by the Jews and Gentiles (12:25 - 28:31)
Unique Chapter 2.1: The Jews of Asia Minor violently opposed the efforts of Paul and Barnabas to plant churches (12:25 - 15:35)
Complement Chapter 2.2: The Gentiles and Jews of Greece violently opposed the efforts of Paul and Silas to plant churches (15:36 - 18:22)
Complement Chapter 2.3: The Gentiles of Ephesus violently opposed the efforts of Paul to teach the Word (18:23 - 20:38)
Opposite Chapter 2.4: Paul the free man traveled to Jerusalem to witness to the Jews (21:1 - 23:11)
Opposite Chapter 2.5: Paul the prisoner witnessed to the Gentile Roman government in Caesarea before traveling to Rome (23:12 - 28:31)
The overall Golden Ratio design of Acts on the Chapter levels is two complements Parts (CC), with 5 Chapters each of “UCC-OO”, “UCC-OO”. This is the same basic design that is found in every Book in the Bible in Division 1.
Notice the break in the content between Chapters 2.3 and 2.4: there is always a break like that between the “UCC” and “OO” groups: that is the Golden Ratio design.
Division 2 is the Psalms, which has its own internal design with many similarities (and also many differences) with the Golden Ratio design that we have been looking at in every Book of Volume 4 of the Bible, which is the Gospels of Christ and the Acts.
What does the Golden Ratio Design of the Bible tell us? It tells us that God is the true Author of the Holy Scriptures. The Bible was designed, written, and settled in Heaven long before it was ever recorded by the inspired hand of man on the Earth.
That inspired Word of God has been preserved by God for the blessing and benefit of mankind today, and I believe that the Received Text in Greek and the Bomberg Hebrew Massoretic text is the preserved Word of God. In over 37 years of intensive Bible study, I’ve never seen any reason to doubt that.
“But continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them; and that from a child you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed; and is beneficial for doctrine, for rebuke, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, and thoroughly equipped for all good work” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
“The words of Jehovah are pure words; as silver tested in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. You shall keep them, O Jehovah; you shall preserve them from this generation forever” (Psalm 12:6-7)
I will begin the detailed study of the Book of Acts in Chapter 1 in the next study.
How to be saved
The Bible clearly states that salvation can only be obtained if we repent and believe in Jesus Christ in order to be saved.
Luke 13:3: “I say to you, no; but, unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Romans 3:21-24: “But now, the righteousness of God apart from the Law is revealed (being testified by the Law and the Prophets), even the righteousness of God as it is through the faith of Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and have fallen short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
It is impossible to keep the Law of Moses! The sole purpose of the Law of Moses (the Ten Commandments) is to make you understand that you are a sinner who has sinned against God. It cannot make you righteous in God’s eyes:
Romans 3:19-20: “And we know that whatever the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be shut, and everyone may become guilty before God; therefore by the works of the Law no flesh shall be justified in His sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin.”
Sins can only be paid for by the finished atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross! We cannot pay for our own sins with our suffering, neither in this life nor in the fictitious place called “Purgatory”!
Romans 3:23-26: “For all have sinned, and have fallen short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God has publicly exhibited, to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of past sins, through the patience of God; to declare, I say, at this time his justice; that God may be just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus.”
Here is how you can be truly saved TODAY, and know that you have Eternal Life, right now!
The Bible says,
“that if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved: for with the heart, man believes into righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made into salvation: for the Scripture says, “Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.” For there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him: for it is written, “whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13
Are you ready to do that? If so, then find a place to pray privately, and pray this prayer with all of your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ:
“Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against YOU. I am no good, and you are righteous! You are my only hope for salvation! I believe that you died on the cross for my sins, you were buried, and you rose again from the dead on the third day. I want you to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. Please come into my heart right now. Forgive me for all my sins, and save my soul. In the mighty Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen!”
If you have turned from your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and only Savior from sin, please message me through Facebook and let me know that you have done that, so that I can pray for you and rejoice with you in what God has done in your life. Amen.
Hechos Estudio #3: La visión general del Libro de los Hechos, Parte 2
¡Si está utilizando un teléfono inteligente, por favor, gírelo al modo horizontal! ¡Gracias!
Todas las citas bíblicas y el arreglo se encuentran exclusivamente en el Reino Estudio Biblia (REB) en español, publicada por los ministerios editoriales Jehová ha hablado.
Está publicado de forma gratuita en formato PDF en este sitio web.
No hay costo ni obligación de descargar este PDF, y ningún la publicidad.
“¡Esta es la obra de Jehová! Es maravilloso a nuestros ojos”. Salmo 118:23
Book 4.5: The apostles preached the Gospel of Christ to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts)
Complement Part 1: The apostles and leaders of the Assembly in Jerusalem were persecuted by the Jews
Unique Chapter 1.1: Many Jews of the Diaspora believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Complement Chapter 1.2: The Sanhedrin rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the apostles
Complement Chapter 1.3: The Sanhedrin rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ from Stephen
Opposite Chapter 1.4: The salvation of Saul of Tarsus: a devout, but false Jew under the Old Covenant
Opposite Chapter 1.5: The completion of Cornelius: a devout and true Gentile believer in Jehovah under the Old Covenant
Complement Part 2: The missionaries from the Assembly in Antioch were persecuted by the Jews and Gentiles
Unique Chapter 2.1: The Jews of Asia Minor violently opposed the church-planting efforts of Paul and Barnabas among them
Complement Chapter 2.2: The Gentiles and Jews of Greece violently opposed the efforts of Paul and Silas to plant churches among them
Complement Chapter 2.3: The Gentiles of Greece violently opposed the teachings of Paul against idolatry
Opposite Chapter 2.4: Paul the free man traveled to Jerusalem to witness to the Jews
Opposite Chapter 2.5: Paul the prisoner witnessed to the Gentile Roman government in Caesarea before traveling to Rome
Introducción
La traducción al español de este estudio está pendiente.
¿Exactamente cómo y cuándo naciste de nuevo?
He aprendido por experiencia que aquellos que se niegan a responder lo hacen porque nunca han nacido de nuevo; no tienen idea de lo que significa, y por eso no pueden responder.
Si ese es tu caso, entonces tu destino eterno en este momento es el Infierno; y más tarde, el Lago de Fuego.
Afortunadamente, podemos cambiar nuestro destino eterno del Infierno al Cielo, si nos arrepentimos de nuestros pecados y recibimos a Jesucristo como nuestro Salvador personal.
Primero, debemos creer que Jesús es el Hijo de Dios; que fue crucificado por nuestros pecados, que fue sepultado y que resucitó de entre los muertos al tercer día.
Romanos 10:8-11: “Pero ¿qué dice? “La Palabra está cerca de ti, incluso en tu boca y en tu corazón”, es decir, la Palabra de fe (que predicamos), que si confesarás con tu boca al Señor Jesús, y creerás en tu corazón que Dios le levantó de los muertos, tú serás salvado: porque con el corazón, el hombre cree para justicia, y con la boca, la confesión se hace para la salvación: porque la Escritura dice, “cualquiera que en él creyere, no será avergonzado”.
Entonces, debemos arrepentirnos de nuestros pecados e invocar el Nombre del Señor Jesús para salvarnos.
Romanos 10:12-13: “Porque no hay diferencia entre el judio y el gentil: porque el mismo Señor sobre todo es rico a todos los que le invocan: porque está escrito, “Cualquiera que llamará sobre el Nombre del Señor será salvado”.
Juan 1:12: “Pero cuantos le recibieron, él les dio autoridad para convertirse los niños de Dios: incluso a aquellos quien creen sobre su Nombre”.
Cuando hacemos eso, entonces nacemos de nuevo instantáneamente en el Reino de Dios.
Estas listo para hacer eso? Si es así, entonces busca un lugar para orar en privado y haz esta oración con todo tu corazón al Señor Jesucristo:
“Señor Jesús, sé que he pecado contra TI. ¡No soy bueno y tú eres justo! Creo que moriste en la cruz por mis pecados, fuiste enterrado y resucitaste de entre los muertos al tercer día. Quiero que vengas a mi vida y seas mi Señor y Salvador. Por favor entra en mi corazón ahora mismo. Perdóname por todos mis pecados y salva mi alma. En el poderoso Nombre de Jesús, oro, ¡Amén!”
Si se apartó de sus pecados y aceptó a Jesucristo como su Señor y único Salvador desde el pecado, por favor envíeme un mensaje a través de Facebook y hágame saber que lo ha hecho, para que pueda orar por ti y alegrarme contigo en lo que Dios tiene hecho en tu vida. Amén.