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ACTS
APOSTLES
16
OF THE
Let us nevertheless ponder the extreme importance, not only of knowledge but of its acknowledgment.
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
The Acts of the Apostles is the battleground of Dispensational Truth. To mistake our path here leads to lack of
discrimination in the epistles. To believe that `The Church began at Pentecost' blinds the eyes of the understanding
to the high calling of the Mystery. To teach that Gentiles were baptized together with Jews on the day of Pentecost,
into one body, is to affirm something that is diametrically opposed to what is actually revealed, and to nullify the
statement that the door for the Gentiles opened consequent upon the first great mission of Paul (Acts 14:27). The
Acts of the Apostles is divided first of all into two main subdivisions:
A 1:1-14.
The former treatise. All that Jesus BEGAN to do and to teach.
A 1:15 to 28:31.
The subsequent record of all that the Risen Lord
to do and to teach, particularly
CONTINUED
through the ministries of Peter and Paul.
The `Acts' proper therefore begins at Acts 1:15. The first fourteen verses are a summary of the last chapter
of Luke's `former treatise' (Luke 24). See LUKE7, The Beloved Physician.
The main section of the Acts is largely occupied with the ministry of two men, Peter the apostle of the
Circumcision (Gal. 2:7) and Paul the apostle of the Gentiles (2 Tim. 1:11).
That there is an intended comparison between the ministry of Peter and that of Paul, the following table will
show:
The Parallel between Peter and Paul
Peter
Paul
Peter received a new name (John
Paul was named Saul at the
1:42).
first (Acts 13).
Peter was baptized by the Spirit
Paul was separated by the
(Acts 2).
Spirit (13).
Peter was thought to be drunk
Paul was thought to be mad
(2).
(26).
Peter's first sermon in Acts 2 is like Paul's first sermon in Acts 13.
Peter heals a lame man (3).
Paul heals a lame man (14).
Peter strikes with death (5).
Paul strikes with blindness
(13).
Peter's
first
miracle
has
Paul's first miracle has
dispensational
foreshadowing
dispensational foreshadowing
(13).
(3).
Peter repudiates silver and gold
Paul repudiates silver and gold
(3).
(20).
Peter is arrested (4).
Paul is arrested (21).
Peter stands before the Council
Paul stands before the Council
(4).
(23).
Peter's action produces fear (5).
Paul's action produces fear
(19).
Peter's shadow had healing
Paul's body gave even
virtue (5).
handkerchiefs healing virtue
(19).