THE APOSTLE OF THE RECONCILIATION

It is not our intention to present an elaborate literary structure, but we feel that one or two notes may help the

reader, especially if he be already in possession of The Companion Bible.

It will be seen from the following suggestions that we are compelled to differ from the structures of that valuable

work in one or two points, and as they are vital to the true understanding of its dispensational teaching, we give our

reasons. We do not feel that it is right to sever the closing verses of Acts 28 from the great passage dealing with

Paul's testimony to Israel, seeing that there is such evident parallel both in word and idea.  This we have

demonstrated on page 307 where the structure of Acts 28:23-31 is given.

Turning to the structure as a whole we find it divides the book up into two, the former treatise, and the Acts

proper. To assist readers who, having The Companion Bible structure, may feel at a loss to make the necessary re-

arrangement, we show the harmonious way in which Acts 1:1-14 is arranged, ending as it does at the turning point

of the narrative, the ascension.

Then for the same reason we give the structure of the Acts as set out in The Companion Bible, but modified to

these new conditions. One or two alterations are suggested in the member covering 15:1 to 19:20. The structure as it

stands in The Companion Bible fails to emphasize that great event, the crossing over from Asia into Europe, surely a

movement only surpassed by Acts 28 itself! The vision of the Macedonian is lost under a general heading, `Decree

of the Spirit' (Acts 16:6-9). By the simple re-adjustment suggested of this member, the entry of Silas and Timothy is

noted, and the confirmatory work in already established churches is brought into sharp contrast with the new sphere

of ministry opened up by the entry into Europe for the first time.

With these few remarks we offer the following outlines, and trust that they may be of service in tracing the

purpose of the book and illuminating its teaching.

A1 1:1-14.The former Treatise. All that Jesus began to do and to teach.

A2 1:15 to 28:31. The Acts proper. The continued witness of the risen Christ.

What the Lord began to do and to teach.

Until the day.

Command to apostles.

Taken up.

What the Lord continued to do and teach.

During forty days.

Command to apostles.

E 1:-9-14.  Taken up.

B 1:15 to 2:13.  Jerusalem. Holy Spirit. Enduement of the  twelve.

C 2:14 to 8:1-.

Ministry of Peter and others to nation

in Jerusalem and land.

D 8:-1 to 11:30.

Ministry of Peter and others in the

land. Gentile included.

Jerusalem. Peter's imprisonment. Close of ministry. Caesarea.