THE BOOK OF ACTS
STUDY GUIDE 2.1
Lesson 2: The Structure and Content of Acts
Section 1: Rhetorical Strategy

OUTLINE FOR NOTES

Introduction

I. Rhetorical Strategy

A. Stated Purpose

  1. Historical Account

  2. Gospel Message

B. Reliance on Authority

  1. Words

  2. Deeds

C. Structural Pattern

  1. Summary Statements

  2. Church Growth


REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. According to Dr. Bayer, what was Luke's purpose in writing Acts?
     
2. Dr. Bayer says that critics have often taught in recent centuries that the historical accounts in the Bible are "___________."
     
3. What evidence does Dr. Bayer give to show that Luke intended to write real history?
     
4. What unusual phrase is used in Acts 28:7 that recent archeological studies have shown to be an official title used at that time?
     
5. Dr. Bayer says that Acts is "a sort of ________ or didactic history."
     
6. According to Dr. Bayer, since Luke was not an apostle, what did he include in Acts to give greater authority to his account?
     
7. In the first century, were writers prone to make inaccurate historical reports of speeches?
     
8. To what degree did Luke edit the speeches he records in Acts?
     
9. What story in Acts 13:7-12 teaches us that Luke appealed to deeds to support the authority of the gospel message in Acts?
     
10. How does Dr. Bayer explain the literary structural pattern of the Book of Acts?
     
11. What is the focus of all the main sections of the Book of Acts, according to Dr. Bayer?



APPLICATION QUESTIONS


1. Why is it important to understand Luke's purposes in writing Acts? What can we learn from his example? How does it help us interpret Acts correctly?


2. Why is it important to believe that Acts records real history? How would it affect you if you believed that it was not real history?


3. Why is it important to understand the structure of the Book of Acts? How does it help you understand the message of the book?