Outline and Reflection on the Acts of the Apostles

An Outline of the Acts of the Apostles

I. Preparation for the Christian mission (1:1-26)
II. The mission in Jerusalem (2:1-8:1a)
III. The missions in Judea and Samaria (8:1b-9:43)
IV. The inauguration of the gentile mission (10:1-12:25)
V. Mission of Barnabas and Saul; approval at Jerusalem (13:1-15:35)
VI. The mission of Paul to the ends of the earth (15:36-28:31)

Reflection on the Acts of the Apostles

The main focus of Acts is on the activities of the Christian missionaries and communities in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus, several other provincial capitals, and other larger cities of the early Roman Empire. As we can at the beginning of this book, the Church is really prepared by the Spirit and it is worthy to note how the early members of the Church responded to. The Church at this early stage is prepared for a mission that is directed towards expansion. The Church today has to contemplate on the pastoral and missionary zeal of those people such as Peter, Philip, James, Barnabas, and especially Paul who happened to be called the Apostle to the Gentiles and whose missionary endeavor is illustrated in almost the second half of this book.Another important aspect is the attitude of these men. Through their example we can emulate how to have a heart of a missionary. By their speeches I visualize how courageous they are in facing their persecutors and how open they are to the promptings of the spirit. Their dealings with people especially the distressed reflect the compassion of the Lord. As missionaries we must have the eye to see the condition of the people and a heart to feel compassion and love that goes beyond material or physical considerations. The indefatigable preaching of the apostles could give us courage and inspiration in spreading the good news in our present time. The missionary journeys that they did, notably that of Paul, could motivate us to make our share in missionary life of Church no matter how it costs us. What is important is that our life is centered on Jesus Christ in whom “we live and move and have our being” (Acts17:28).