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Acts 1:1–28:31

Acts

While the Gospel moves directly towards Jerusalem, the story in Acts is cyclical, the disciples' journeys radiating out from the Holy City in a series of expanding loops towards Rome.

The Acts journey narrative (Acts 12:25–21:16)

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

Outline from Donald Miesner. The Acts journey falls at a similar point in its book and is of comparable length to the Gospel journey; at its chiastic heart Paul speaks at the intellectual center of the gentile world.

  1. A
    From Jerusalem12:25–13:14a
  2. B
    Paul's initial address at Antioch, to Jews13:14b–52
  3. C
    A speech, a miracle, return to Antioch, Paul appoints Elders14:1–28
  4. D
    To Jerusalem after dissension/debate; decree, order restored15:1–29
  5. E
    To Antioch, Paul/Mark separate, a vision, slave girl exorcised15:30–16:19
  6. F
    Paul charged with breaking law, night escape, Paul exonerated16:20–40
  7. G
    Paul argues in synagogue, withdraws for safety, Silas/Timothy stay17:1–15
  8. H
    Areopagus speech in Athens17:16–34
  9. G′
    Paul argues in synagogue, Timothy/Silas rejoin, withdraws for safety18:1–7
  10. F′
    Paul charged with breaking law, night vision, Paul exonerated18:8–18a
  11. E′
    To Antioch, Apollos works separately, seven exorcised18:18b–19:20
  12. D′
    Plans toward Jerusalem, dissension and debate, order preserved19:21–41
  13. C′
    A speech, Eutychus restored, return to Jerusalem, meets elders20:1–17
  14. B′
    Farewell address to Ephesian elders20:18–38
  15. A′
    To Jerusalem21:1–16

Cyclical plot in Acts: to and from Jerusalem

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

Each periodic expansion resumes after returning to Jerusalem and is signaled by a brief summary, in the manner of a refrain, telling of the success of the Gospel in that region. In summary: Ascension … to/summary/from, to/from, to/summary/from, to/from, to/summary/from, to/from, to/summary/summary/from … Rome.

  1. toApostles to upper room1:12
  2. summaryEnd of Jerusalem ministry6:7
  3. fromScattering into Judea/Samaria8:1
  4. toPeter/John return to Jerusalem8:25
  5. fromSaul departs for Damascus9:2
  6. toSaul returns to Jerusalem9:26
  7. summarySummary of the Palestine ministry9:31
  8. fromPeter to Lydda and Caesarea9:32
  9. toPeter returns to Jerusalem11:2
  10. fromBarnabus to Antioch11:22
  11. toBarnabus/Saul take relief to Jerusalem11:30
  12. summarySummary of the Antioch mission12:24
  13. fromBegin Cyprus/Asia Minor mission12:25
  14. toBarnabus/Saul to the Jerusalem council15:4
  15. fromLeaving Jerusalem; letter to Antioch15:30
  16. summarySummary of Asia Minor mission16:5
  17. summarySummary of Macedonia/Greece mission19:20
  18. toPaul enters Jerusalem/last time21:17
  19. fromPaul leaves Jerusalem for Rome23:1123:11, 31
  20. …arrive in Rome28:14

Peter and Paul in parallel

Victor M. Wilson, Divine Symmetries

Richard Rackham's list, cited by Wilson: many points of similarity among signs of a shared and faithful leadership. Each receives a new name after conversion (formerly Simon / formerly Saul). Compare also the prison details: angels, chains, light, accusations of madness, beckoning hands, miraculous escapes, safety of believing jailers, departure to Mary/Lydia's house then to another place.

  1. 1Ordination by the Holy Spirit2:1–4Peter: 2:1–4; Paul: 13:1–3
  2. 2Thought to be drunk/mad2:13Peter: 2:13; Paul: 26:24
  3. 3Both react to above charges with solemn defense2:14Peter: 2:14; Paul: 26:25
  4. 4Healing of a lame man3:1Peter: 3:1ff; Paul: 14:8ff
  5. 5Silver and gold3:6Peter: 3:6; Paul: 20:33
  6. 6Arrest in the Temple4:1Peter: 4:1ff; Paul: 21:27ff
  7. 7Brought before the Sanhedrin5:25Peter: 5:25ff; Paul: 23:1ff
  8. 8Peter unlearned—Paul very learned4:13Peter: 4:13; Paul: 26:24
  9. 9Filled with the Holy Spirit4:8Peter: 4:8; Paul: 13:9
  10. 10Fear and awe fall upon others: Ananias & Saphira/Ephesians5:5Peter: 5:5, 11; Paul: 19:17
  11. 11Signs and wonders done by each2:43Peter: 2:43, 4:39; Paul: 5:12–14:3
  12. 12Peter's shadow—Paul's clothing; healing properties5:15Peter: 5:15f; Paul: 19:11–12
  13. 13Success incurs jealousy of the Jews5:17Peter: 5:17; Paul: 13:45
  14. 14Gamaliel and Gallio as steadying influences5:34–39Peter: 5:34–39; Paul: 18:14–17
  15. 15Both beaten on orders of authorities5:40Peter: 5:40; Paul: 16:22
  16. 16Peter ordains deacons—Paul ordains elders6:6Peter: 6:6; Paul: 14:23
  17. 17Laying on of hands brings gift of Holy Spirit8:17Peter: 8:17; Paul: 21:6
  18. 18Speaking in tongues10:46Peter: 10:46; Paul: 19:6
  19. 19Peter denounces Simon Magus—Paul denounces Barjesus8:20Peter: 8:20f; Paul: 13:9f
  20. 20Aeneas—healings of those on a sick bed—Publius' father9:33Peter: 9:33f; Paul: 28:8
  21. 21Dorcas—raised from the dead—Eutychus9:40Peter: 9:40; Paul: 20:9f
  22. 22Cornelius—first gentile hearers are Roman officials—Sergius Paulus10:44Peter: 10:44f; Paul: 10:7f
  23. 23Cornelius—two stories of Roman centurions and Caesarea—Julius10:1Peter: 10:1f; Paul: 27:1f
  24. 24Convictional moment: noon/trance/vision/3 times heavenly voice10:9Peter: 10:9f; Paul: 9:3f
  25. 25Above story recounted 3 times10:9Peter: 10:9f, 28; 11:5; Paul: 9:1f; 22:6f; 26:12f
  26. 26Cornelius—people try to offer worship to Peter or Paul—Lycaonians10:25Peter: 10:25; Paul: 14:13
  27. 27Both apostles called to task by circumcision party11:3Peter: 11:3; Paul: 15:1f
  28. 28Imprisoned for the gospel5:17Peter: 5:17f; 12:1f; Paul: 16:19f; 21:33ff