{{ Harmony of the N.T. Conversions
Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, -16, 26:12-18 are in chart below and these are great examples of Jesus’ ‘great commission’ in action (harmonized on page 7).
Others are possibly noted by Luke’s term ‘believed’ but not all details were given since the Greek word for ‘believed’ carries with it ‘obedience’ and continued action: Acts 4:1-4; 11:21 (note ‘conversion’ is the Greek noun form of ‘turned’), 13:12; 13:48; 14:1 & 2 (note the contrast of believed vs. disobedient) then later 14:21-23 (note they were called disciples, Mat 28:19, ‘in the faith’, elders, every congregation); 17:12-14; 17:32-34; 19:15-20. Now since Crispus listed below was immersed as recorded in 1Co 1:14, this lets us know that even when all the elements of conversion aren’t specifically listed, it is still safe to assume they all occurred.
The Bible is not written in exhaustive encyclopedia form. God only told us what we need to know and practice if we love him, John 14:15. The biggest lies ever told to a Christian is ‘The Bible doesn’t say not to...’ or that ‘It is okay to substitute’ and the O.T. is binding in any way on us Christians.
Forgiveness and Gift of the Holy Spirit |
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3000 Jews/Proselytes on Pentecost; 2:14-41 |
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2:37-38 |
2:21 |
2:38, 41 |
2:38-39 |
4:4 |
3:19-20 |
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Simon & Samaritans; 8:5-17 |
8:12-13 |
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8:12-13 |
8:15-17 |
8:37 |
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8:37 |
8:36-39 |
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22:16 |
9:18, 22:16 |
9:17-18 |
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10:43, 15:9 |
11:18 |
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10:47-48 |
10:44-46, 11:15-17 |
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13:8, 12 |
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16:14-15 |
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16:15 |
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Philippian jailer & household; 16:25-34 |
16:31, 34 |
16:30 |
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16:33 |
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Dionysius, Damaris & Areopagites; 17:22-34 |
17:34 |
17:30 |
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Crispus* & Corinthians; 18:5-8 |
18:8 |
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18:8, 1Co 1:14 |
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Ephesian disciples (of John the Immerser and Apollos); 19:1-7 |
19:4 |
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19:5 |
19:2, 6 |
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{{ Introduction to Acts: The Book of Conversions 30-63 AD
The book of Acts, or the Book of Conversions, is a history of the establishment of various congregations and the expansion of Christianity. It is actually a continuation of the gospel of Luke, written by the same author to the same audience. A good outline for the whole book is given by Jesus in 1:8: ‘you will be witnesses to me, both in Jerusalem (chapters 1-6) and in all Judea and Samaria (chapter 8), and to the outermost parts of the earth (9-28).’
These Roman emperors who reigned during this period were as follows: Tiberius (14-37 A.D.), Caligula (37-41), Claudius (41-54), and Nero (54-68).
This book covers about 33 years.
In this book are the only examples in the entire New Testament of how people are saved from their sins following the death of Christ Jesus; great examples of the ‘Great Commission’ in action. In fact, the question, ‘what will we do?’ is asked and answered multiple times in this book. The Jews (Acts 2), the Samaritans (Acts 8), the Gentiles (Acts 10), the Philippian jailer (Acts 16), and Saul (Acts 9, 22, 26) were taught about Christ Jesus, and salvation was offered to them all in the same way. Saul (later, apostle Paul), even though called from heaven, was even told what was essential to do (Acts 22:16).
The last half of the book focuses mainly on the travels of the apostle Paul, who went throughout the Roman Empire teaching people what to do to be saved. During his travels, many of the New Testament letters were written to various congregations.
Look closely in this book to see what commands are from God, and put them to the test of men in regards to salvation and how Jesus built his congregation of believers.}}
{Events from 30-63 AD are recorded including all the examples of Christian conversions. Tiberius Caesar, Emperor, 14-37 AD. Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea. Herod Antipas, governor of Galilee.}1:1 O Theophilus, I indeed made* the first account concerning all things which Jesus began both to do* and to teach, 1:2 till a day of which he was received up, and he commanded through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he chose.
{Luk 24:44-49 & Acts 1:3-8 & 1Co 15:7 Jerusalem.}
1:3 The apostles to whom, he also presented himself as living in many definite-proofs after he suffered on the cross, being seen by them throughout forty days and saying the things concerning the kingdom of God. 1:4 And, assembling together-with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to remain until the promise of the Father, Which you° have heard from me; 1:5 because John indeed immersed* in water, but you° will be immersed* in the Holy Spirit after not these many days {i.e., after a few days}.
{May 18, 30AD Mount of Olives.}
1:6 Therefore indeed, after they came together, they were asking him, saying, Lord, Are you never* restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?
1:7 Now he said to them, It is not yours° to know times or seasons, which the Father placed in his own authority. 1:8 But you° will be receiving power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you°, you° will be witnesses to me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the outermost parts of the earth.
{Mar 16:19-20 & Luk 24:50-53 & Acts 1:9-12 Olivet, between Jerusalem and Bethany.}
1:9 And he said these things, and while looking at him, he was lifted up, and a cloud received him away from their staring eyes. 1:10 And as they were staring at his traveling on into heaven, and behold, two men stood beside them in white apparel; 1:11 who also said, Men, Galileans! Why are you° standing here, looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was received up from you° into heaven will be coming back thus in the manner you° saw him traveling into heaven. {Acts 1:11 & Mat 24:27, 24:29-31 & Mar 13:24-37 & Luk 21:25-28 & 1Th 4:13-17 & 2Th 1:7-9 & 1Co 15:51-15:58 & Rev 1:7 Second Coming.}
1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olives, which is near Jerusalem, holding a Sabbath’s journey {i.e., less than a mile, what was permitted to travel on the Sabbath}. 1:13 And when they entered, they went-up into the upstairs-room; where they were remaining: both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James {Or: brother. See Jude.}. 1:14 All these men together-with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and together-with his brethren were persevering, united in prayer and supplication.
1:15 And in these days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (a crowd of approximately a hundred and twenty names {i.e., people} were in the same place) and he said, 1:16 Men, brethren, it was essential for this Scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit said beforehand through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to the ones who took Jesus, 1:17 because he was being numbered together-with us and was allotted the inheritance of this service.
{Mat 27:3-10 & Acts 1:18-19.}
1:18 (Therefore indeed, this one procured a parcel of ground from the reward of his unrighteousness, and he happened to fall-flat and ruptured in the middle and all his bowels were poured out. 1:19 And it became known to all the ones dwelling in Jerusalem; so-then in their own language this place is called Akeldama, that is, The Place of Blood.) 1:20 For* it has been written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation become desolate and do not let the one be dwelling in it’ {Psa 69:25} and, ‘May a different one take his overseership.’ {Psa 109:8} 1:21 Therefore, it is essential, of the men who went together-with us all the time in which the Lord Jesus entered in and went forth among us, 1:22 and began from the immersion* of John, to the day from which he was received up from us; one of these is to become a witness together-with us of his resurrection. 1:23 And they stood up two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus and Matthias. 1:24 And after they prayed, they said, You Lord, knower of the hearts of all, show which one out-of these two you chose for yourself 1:25 to receive the inheritance of this service and apostleship from which Judas transgressed, so as to travel on to his own place. 1:26 And they gave them their lots and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was enumerated together with the eleven apostles.