LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Thematic Analysis Essay 3, Acts 13:1–28:31
Submitted to Dr. R. Peter Mason
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
BIBL364
Acts
By
Brooke Tabor
May 1, 2020
i
Developing Theme of Geographical Advancement of the Gospel as
presented in Acts 1:8
Throughout the first half of Acts, we see many themes developing. The main point that we
mustn’t miss however, is the theme of God sovereignty specifically in the Kingdom of God and
the Holy Spirits work that enables the us to spread the Gospel. The first 13 chapters of Acts, we
see the introduction of the Holy Spirit, the understanding through Peters visions that the
Kingdom isn’t just for Jews but is inclusive to all who believe, including gentiles. Acts 1:8 states,
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8
ESV). This verse does not say, that the Holy Spirit will come so that you may keep this good
news to yourself. No! The verse specifically makes clear that this theme of the Gospel is for all
and will make its way through Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the end of the earth.
This brings us to chapter 13, where Paul, along with John Mark (temporarily) and Barnabus’
start the first journey of spreading the Gospel. We see that Paul (with others) visits places such as
Antioch (Syria today), Seleucia, Salamis and Paphos, Perga, Antioch of Pisidia (Turkey today),
Iconium, Lystra and Derbe to name some. And we aren’t even out of Acts chapter 15 yet. The
good news is spreading rapidly thanks to the Holy Spirits work in Paul and those supporting him
to go. The total miles spanning an approximate number of 1,400 miles0.
Acts 15:36-18:22 represent Paul’s second journey. Paul still not alone in the task; Silas,
Timothy, Priscilla, Aquilla and Luke are all contributors to helping spread and support the
Gospel. Places visited consist of: Syria and Cilicia, Debre and Lystra (again), Phrygia and
Galatia, Troas, Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens to name a few. Paul’s second
journey doubled the total miles of the first journey, tallying in at 2,800 miles0.
Acts 18:23-21:16 represent Paul’s third journey accompanied mainly by Timothy and Luke.
Places visited within this journey were: Galatia and Phyrgia, Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece,
Philippi, Tyre, Caesarea and Jerusalem to name a few. This third journey tallies 100 miles shorter
than the second, at approximately 2,700 miles0.
Acts 21:17-28:31, “And so we came to Rome.” (Acts 28:14 ESV). Here we see God’s
sovereignty in being triumphant in the spreading of the Gospel. Paul lands in Rome and is able to
share local leaders. “From morning till evening, he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom
of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the
Prophets.” (Acts 28:14 ESV). Luke tells us that through his some believed and other were not
convinces, however, we see God promises fulfilled that the Gospel will remain triumphant.
Important Themes Developed by Luke
Within the book of Acts, Dr. Fowler describes nine important developing themes. First theme
worth noting as Fowler mentions is that God’s sovereignty opens and closes the book of Acts,
much like book ends. Along with the Holy Spirits work enabling us to spread the Gospel, we see
God at work through his chosen people. Paul, a chosen instrument of God, was no stranger to
persecution is called to suffer repeatedly for the name of Jesus Christ. Through Paul’s first,
second and third journey, we see Paul represent Christ in praying for others and offering them
healing through Jesus’ name. Fowler includes in his video, “Key Themes of Acts” that prayer is
found in 19 of the 28 chapter in Acts. The last healing recorded in Acts, end with Paul praying in
0 “Paul's Journey's.” Rose Book of Bible Charts, Rose Publishing, 2014.
Chapter 28. All through out the book, we see God’s sovereignty but specifically the final
chapters, we see God’s faithfulness that the Kingdom of God will be triumphant as Paul makes it
to Rome.
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The book of Acts gives us plenty of opportunities to see what and how the Gospel message is
properly shared. Paul specifically gives us multiple examples of how one should give a defense
for the hope that is within him (1 Peter 3:15 ESV). In the beginning chapters of Acts, we see Paul
approaching those who are familiar with Hebrew literacy such as Jews, God-fearers, Samaritans,
Pharisees and Sadducees. The way Paul speaks to them uses their own knowledge of Hebrew
prophecy. There is no need to have further explanation to a culture who is already familiar with
the times. Paul simply shares with them that while they are familiar with Hebrew texts (the Old
Testament) they have missed the mark somewhere by not recognizing Jesus as the Messiah.
When it comes to preaching to the pagans however, Paul must take a different approach. To
the pagans, they don’t care about Hebrew text or history, their minds however are hungry for
knowledge as we see displayed in Acts chapter 17 which Paul visits Athens. In Athens, Paul
takes note that there was a god among their objects of worship titled, “to the unknown god”
(Acts 17:23 ESV). Paul capitalizes on the pagan’s eagerness to not miss an opportunity to
worship by explaining that he knows and holds knowledge that they themselves are ignorant too.
Paul uses this as an opening point to preach the gospel of the Living God.
There is much that can be learned when you compare and contrast the way Paul speaks and
share the gospel to the Jews and to the pagans. We see firsthand what Paul meant when writing to
the Corinthians, “To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I
became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those
under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the
law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I
became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means
I might save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:20-22).
Pattern and Progression of Jewish Response
A pattern that we see among the Jews hearing the Gospel message is that they regularly reject
what God has so graciously given to them freely. In Acts 13:46, we see clearly that Paul and
Barnabas were clear that the message of the Kingdom of God was for the Jews first and then to
the Gentiles. Where the Jews habitually reject the witness of Paul and other apostles, the Gentiles
accept it with joyfulness. While the persecution from the Jews is a common theme throughout
the book of Acts, that never stopped the Gospel from spreading. In fact, even though people were
martyred, the Gospel never slowed down, but rather this martyring did nothing but advance the
Kingdom all the more.
Word Count: 1,179
Bibliography
“Paul's Journey's.” Rose Book of Bible Charts, Rose Publishing, 2014.
“Paul's Journey's.” Rose Book of Bible Charts, Rose Publishing, 2014.
“Paul's Journey's.” Rose Book of Bible Charts, Rose Publishing, 2014.
