Achshaph may possibly be identified with Tell Kisan, a site about six miles (9.7 kilometers) SE of Acco (present-day Acre). Its name appears in the Karnak list of towns that were conquered by Thutmose III, as well as among the Tell el-Amarna Letters.

ACHZIB

(Achʹzib) [deceitful].

The name of two cities.

1. A city in southern Palestine in the territory of Judah. (Josh. 15:44) It is understood to be the same as “Chezib” (Gen. 38:5, AV), the birthplace of Judah’s son Shelah. Joshua 15:33 shows it to be in the hilly country of the Shephelah, and it is considered to correspond with Tell el-Beida to the SW of Adullam. Lachish, Moresheth-gath and Mareshah (mentioned along with Achzib in Micah 1:13-15) are all in that area.

2. A Phoenician coastal city in the territory of the tribe of Asher. (Josh. 19:29) Asher, however, never succeeded in conquering it, nor the more important city of Acco (Acre) to the S, perhaps due to hindering action on the part of the Phoenician fleet. (Judg. 1:31, 32) Sennacherib of Assyria overran it in King Hezekiah’s time and mentions it in his annuals under the name Aksibi. In Greek and Roman times it was called Ekdippa. The modern village of ez-Zib continues at the location of the ancient city, some nine miles (14.5 kilometers) N of Acre at the mouth of the Wadi Qarn.

ACRE

As used in the Scriptures, “acre” is understood to denote the measure of land that a span of bulls can plow in a day, since the Hebrew word thus rendered (tseʹmedh) literally means “span.” (1 Sam. 14:14; Isa. 5:10) Likely this measure was somewhat less than an English acre. The word jugerum, found in the Latin Vulgate, refers to an area of .62 acre (.25 hectare).

ACTS OF APOSTLES

This is the title by which one of the Bible books has been called since the second century C.E. It covers primarily the activity of Peter and Paul, rather than that of the twelve apostles in general; and it provides us with a most reliable and comprehensive history of the spectacular beginning and rapid development of the Christian organization, first among the Jews and then among the Gentile nations. The overriding theme of the entire Bible, Jehovah’s kingdom, dominates the book (Acts 1:3; 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:31), and we are constantly reminded of how the apostles bore “thorough witness” concerning Christ and that kingdom and fully accomplished their ministry. (2:40; 5:42; 8:25; 10:42; 20:21, 24; 23:11; 26:22; 28:23) The book also provides a superb historical background against which to view the inspired letters of the Christian Greek Scriptures.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

I. Pentecost and intensified witness in Jerusalem (1:1–6:7)

A. Jesus foretold disciples would be spirit-empowered to witness (1:1-11)

B. Disciples receive holy spirit; witness in tongues (1:12–2:13)

C. Peter shows spirit bestowal by Christ fulfills prophecy (2:14-41)

1. Urges repentance and baptism in Jesus’ name; about 3,000 Jews and proselytes baptized

2. Unity, close association, sharing together and increase enjoyed (2:42-47)

D. Lame man healed; Peter and John arrested and released; believers increase to about 5,000 (3:1–4:22)

E. God manifests approval of apostles’ bold course (4:23-31)

F. Resources pooled and distributed; Ananias and Sapphira die for ‘playing false to the holy spirit’ (4:32–5:11)

G. Apostles jailed for ministry, released by an angel (5:12-21a)

H. Apostles set precedent, ‘obey God rather than men,’ where the two conflict; disciples increase (5:21b–6:7)

II. Persecution results in expansion of the witness (6:8–9:31)

A. Stephen arrested, gives bold witness; dies a martyr (6:8–7:60)

B. Persecution scatters all but apostles throughout land (8:1-4)

1. Philip’s ministry in Samaria blessed; Ethiopian eunuch converted (8:5-40)

2. Peter and John sent so Samaritans can receive holy spirit (8:14-17)

C. Jesus appears to persecutor Saul; Saul converted, baptized, begins zealous ministry (9:1-30)

D. Congregation in Judea, Galilee and Samaria enters period of peace (9:31-43)

III. The witness next reaches non-Jews (10:1–12:25)

A. Peter preaches to Cornelius and other uncircumcised Gentiles, who believe, receive holy spirit and are baptized (10:1-48)

B. Apostle’s report thereof prompts expansion among nations (11:1-30)

C. Herod kills James, imprisons Peter; freed by angel (12:1-19)

D. Herod dies for not giving God glory; Jehovah’s word spreads (12:20-25)

IV. Paul’s first evangelizing tour, with Barnabas (13:1–14:28)

A. From Antioch, Syria, to Cyprus and cities in Asia Minor

1. Jews persecute Paul from city to city

2. Congregations established

B. Further travels; return to Antioch, Syria

V. Dispute on need for circumcision of Christians settled (15:1-35)

A. Apostles and older men in Jerusalem decide, guided by holy spirit

B. Believers to keep free from idolatry, blood and fornication

VI. Paul’s second evangelizing tour (15:36–18:22)

A. Paul and Silas travel from Antioch through Syria and Asia Minor (15:36–16:8)

B. Responding to a vision, Paul visits Macedonia (16:9–17:15)

1. Paul and Silas imprisoned in Philippi; jailer becomes believer

2. Paul and Silas preach in Thessalonica and Beroea; Jews incite riots

C. In Athens, Paul speaks on Mars Hill; some believe (17:16-34)

D. Paul preaches in Corinth for 18 months (18:1-17)

E. Returns, through Ephesus and Caesarea, to Antioch, Syria (18:18-22)

VII. Paul’s third tour, arrival in Jerusalem (18:23–21:17)

A. Paul’s Ephesian ministry is fruitful; uproar develops over it (18:23–19:41)

B. He visits believers in Macedonia, Greece and Troas (20:1-16)

C. Apostle meets and admonishes Ephesian older men at Miletus (20:17-38)

D. He arrives in Jerusalem, despite danger there (21:1-17)

VIII. Paul witnesses despite opposition, imprisonment (21:18–28:31)

A. After mobbing in Jerusalem, Paul appears before Sanhedrin (21:18–23:10)

B. He is taken to Felix; appears often before him (23:11–24:27)

C. In defense before Festus, Paul appeals to Caesar (25:1-12)

D. Apostle makes a defense before King Agrippa (25:13–26:32)

E. Trip to Rome is marked by shipwreck on Malta (27:1–28:16)

F. A prisoner in Rome, Paul preaches Christ and Kingdom (28:17-31)