Longenecker identified five phenomena about the structure of Acts that the reader needs to recognize to appreciate what Luke sought to communicate.
"1. It begins, like the [Third] Gospel, with an introductory section of distinctly Lukan cast dealing with the constitutive events of the Christian mission (1:1-2:41) before it sets forth the advances of the gospel in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth' (1:7).
"2. This introductory section is followed by what appears to be a thematic statement (2:42-47). This material, while often viewed as a summary of what precedes, most probably serves as the thesis paragraph for what follows.
"3. In his presentation of the advance of the Christian mission, Luke follows an essentially geographical outline that moves from Jerusalem (2:42-6:7), through Judea and Samaria (6:8-9:31), on into Palestine-Syria (9:32-12:24), then to the Gentiles in the eastern part of the Roman Empire (12:25-19:20), and finally culminates in Paul's defenses and the entrance of the gospel into Rome (19:21-28:31).
"4. In his presentation, Luke deliberately sets up a number of parallels between the ministry of Peter in the first half of Acts and that of Paul in the last half.13
"5. Luke includes six summary statements or progress reports' (6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20; and 28:31), each of which seems to conclude its own panel' of material.14
"Taking all these literary and structural features into account, we may conclude that Luke developed his material in Acts along the following lines:
"Introduction: The Constitutive Events of the Christian Mission (1:1-2:41)
Part I: The Christian Mission to the Jewish World (2:42-12:24)
Panel 1--The Earliest Days of the Church at Jerusalem (2:42-6:7)
Summary Statement: So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith' (6:7).
Panel 2--Critical Events in the Lives of Three Pivotal Figures (6:8-9:31)
Summary Statement:Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord' (9:31).
Panel 3--Advances of the Gospel in Palestine-Syria (9:32-12:24)
Summary Statement:But the word of God continued to increase and spread' (12:24).
Part II: The Christian Mission to the Gentile World (12:25-28:31)
Panel 4--The First Missionary Journey and the Jerusalem Council (12:25-16:5)
Summary Statement:So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers' (16:5).
Panel 5--Wide Outreach Through Two Missionary Journeys (16:6-19:20)
Summary Statement:In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power' (19:20).
Panel 6--To Jerusalem and Thence to Rome (19:21-28:31)
Summary Statement:Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ' (28:31)."15
