An Expositional Outline of the Book of Acts

The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus has proved invaluable in my own reading, studying and preaching from the book of Acts. I thought it a good idea to share Thompson’s outline taken from the book (pp. 69-70) 

From the preface of the book:

Acts is an account of the ‘continuing story’ of God’s saving purposes. Luke intends his work to be read in light of OT promises and the continuing reign of Christ. Acts is best understood, therefore, in this ‘biblical-theological framework that highlights the move from the OT to what the kingdom of God looks like now that Christ has come, died, risen and ascended to the right hand of the Father. It is in this light – the continuing reign of Christ in the inaugurated kingdom of God – that Luke’s own emphasis on themes such as the saving purposes of God, suffering and opposition as the gospel spreads and local churches are established, the resurrection of Christ, Israel and the Gentiles, the Holy Spirit, the temple, the law and apostolic authority are better understood and integrated.

Thus, in keeping with Luke’s introduction in Acts 1 – 2 that the major theme of Acts is the reign of the Lord Jesus who enables the spread of the word Thompson offers the following general outline:

Acts 1:1 – 2:27           The reign of Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit

Acts 3:1 – 8:3             The reign of Christ the Lord over rising opposition

                                                Internal and External

Acts 8:4 – 9:31           The reign of Christ the Lord over outcasts and enemies

                                                Samaria

Ethiopian eunuch

Saul

Acts 9:32 – 12:25       The reign of Christ the Lord over all nations

Peter preaches Christ in Ludda, Joppa, to Cornelius and his household

The Jewish-Gentile church in Antioch is established

Peter is rescues from ‘King’ Herod

Agrippa I and his prison

Acts 13:1 - 16:5          The reign of Christ the Lord proclaimed to the nations: part 1

                                                Commission in Antioch (13:1-3)

                                                Ministry in Cyprus, Pisidia, Lycaonia (13:4 – 14:20)

                                                Nurturing the churches (14:21-28)

                                                Evaluation in Jerusalem (15:1 – 16:5)

Acts 16:6 - 21:36        The reign of Christ the Lord proclaimed to the nations: part 2

                                                Commission in Troas (16:6-10)

                                                Ministry in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth,

Ephesus (16:11-19:41)

                                                Nurturing the churches (20:1 – 21:14)

                                                Evaluation in Jerusalem (21:15-36)[1]

Acts 21:37 – 28:31     The reign of Christ the Lord vindicated before the rulers

                                                Trial before the crowd in Jerusalem (Acts 21 – 22)

Trial before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (Acts 23)

Trial before Felix Caesarea (Acts 24)

Trial before Festus in Caesarea (Acts 25)

Trial before Festus and Herod Agrippa II in Caesarea

Final meeting with Jewish leaders in Rome (Acts 28)

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[1] Thompson, Alan J. "Excursus: An Expositional Outline." The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus: Luke's Account of God's Unfolding Plan. Nottingham, England: Apollos, 2011. 69-70. Print.