Major Discourses in the Book of Acts

Our Tuesday morning men's group has begun studying the major speeches or discourses found in the Book of Acts. These are found in the longer passages where Peter, Paul, Stephen and perhaps others are holding more than just a conversation, they are often in a public place, sometimes before the people, often with religious leaders and before political authorities.

In reading these passages we intent to look at: 

1) Context...what has just happened, leading to their giving this speech, what is the circumstance?

2) Components...what are the major areas or topics covered by the speaker?

3) Intent....what is the speaker trying to communicate?

4) Conclusion....what is the one major message?

5) Exhortation ...what is the speaker calling for in response from those he is addressing?

6) Reaction...how do those who hear react?

One of the goals of this study is to see if there are similar patterns and topics or themes in these speeches of the early church leaders. Can this be a model for us today in our own witness to our faith?

In the next post, I will outline the first discourse.