Acts 16:38 - 28:16
Most of us may look at the book of Acts as a historical record of how the gospel was spread throughout the Roman Empire. As we conclude this book, I would like to highlight the 13 discourses, or speeches, that are given by Peter, Stephen, and Paul. Primarily because each of the speeches gives us a testimony about Jesus Christ. Each of these speeches are in essence the gospel itself.
Most of them are remarkably similar in content. The testimony considering Jesus includes his ordination by God, His miracles, His death and resurrection, the fulfillment of OT scriptures, His ascension into heaven, and the apostle's authority as a witness. Besides the testimony, the discourses generally call for repentance in light of judgment and promise the forgiveness of sins. (Adapted from H.N. Ridderbos)
The following is a list of the discourses and a portion of the gospel message in each.
1) Peter at Pentecost (Act 2:14-39)
"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." (36, 38-39)
2) Peter at Solomon's Porch (Acts 3:12-26)
"But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord" (18-19)
3) Peter at the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:8-12)
"Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (10-12)
4) Stephen's Defense (Acts 7:1-60)
"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." (56)
5) Peter at Cornelius House (Acts 10:35-43)
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." (38-43)
6) Peter's Defense to the Church (Acts 11:5-18)
"When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life." (18)
7) Paul at Antioch (Acts 13:17-41)
"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses." (38-39)
8) Paul in Athens (Acts 17:22-31)
"In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." (30-31)
9) Paul at Ephesus (Acts 20:18-35)
"I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus." (21)
10) Paul's Defense at the Temple (Acts 22:3-21)
"And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (16)
11) Paul's Defense to Felix (Acts 24:10-21)
"However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." (14-15)
12) Paul's Defense to Agrippa (Acts 26:2-29)
"I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." (17b-18)
13) Paul at Rome (Acts 28:23-28)
"From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets." (23b)
It is important to understand the gospel of Jesus as the apostles preached, because it is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The following external links are animated sequences of Paul's Missionary Journey's. You can click on the cities and geopraphical areas for more information.
http://www.apostlepaulthefilm.com/paul/journey_01.htm
