Find out what the book the Acts of the Apostles is about
The Book of Acts connects the life and ministry of Jesus to the life of the early Church
Book of Acts
The book of Acts provides a detailed, orderly and eyewitness account of the birth and growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel immediately after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His narrative provides a bridge connecting the life and ministry of Jesus to the life of the church and the testimony of the first believers. The work also builds a link between the Gospels and the Epistles.
Written by Luke, Acts is the sequel to Luke's Gospel, which promotes his story of Jesus and how he built his church. The book ends rather abruptly, suggesting to some scholars that Luke may have planned to write a third book to continue the story.
In Acts, while Luke describes the spread of the gospel and the ministry of the apostles, it focuses primarily on two, Peter and Paul.
Who wrote the book of Acts?
The authorship of the book of Acts is attributed to Luke. He was a Greek and the only gentle Christian writer of the New Testament. He was an educated man and in Colossians 4:14 we learn that he was a doctor. Luke was not one of the 12 disciples.
Although Luke is not named as a writer in the book of Acts, he was attributed paternity as early as the second century. In subsequent chapters of Acts, the writer uses the first-person plural narrative, "we," indicating that he was present with Paul. We know that Luca was a faithful friend and travel companion of Paolo.
Written date
Between 62 and 70 AD, with the most probable previous date.
Written to
Acts is written to Theophilus, which means "he who loves God". Historians are not sure who this Theophilus (mentioned in Luke 1: 3 and Acts 1: 1) was, although most likely, he was a Roman with an intense interest in the new Christian faith. Luke may also have written in general to all who loved God. The book is also written for gentiles and for all people everywhere.
Panorama of the Book of Acts
The book of Acts describes in detail the spread of the Gospel and the growth of the church from Jerusalem to Rome.
Themes in the Book of Acts
The book of Acts begins with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit promised by God on the day of Pentecost. Consequently, the preaching of the Gospel and the testimony of the newly formed church ignite a flame that spread throughout the Roman empire.
The opening of the Acts reveals a primary theme throughout the book. When believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit, they testify to the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. This is how the church is established and continues to grow, spreading locally and therefore continuing to the ends of the earth.
It is important to recognize that the church did not start or grow through its power or initiative. Believers were authorized and guided by the Holy Spirit, and this remains true today. Christ's work, both in the church and in the world, is supernatural, born of his Spirit. Although we, the church, are the vessels of Christ, the expansion of Christianity is the work of God. It provides the resources, enthusiasm, vision, motivation, courage and ability to do the work, by filling of the Holy Spirit.
Another priority theme in the book of Acts is opposition. We read about imprisonments, beatings, stonings and plots to kill the apostles. Rejection of the gospel and the persecution of its messengers, however, worked to accelerate the growth of the church. Although daunting, resistance to our testimony for Christ is expected. We can stand firm knowing that God will do the job, opening the doors to opportunities even in the midst of strong opposition.
Key figures in the Book of Acts
The cast of characters in the book of Acts is quite numerous and includes Peter, James, John, Stephen, Philip, Paul, Ananias, Barnabas, Silas, James, Cornelius, Timothy, Titus, Lydia, Luke, Apollos, Felix, Festus, and Agrippa.
Key verses
Acts 1: 8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. " (NIV)
Acts 2: 1-4
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from the sky and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what looked like tongues of fire that separated and landed on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other languages when the Spirit allowed it. (NIV)
Acts 5: 41-42
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been considered worthy of suffering misfortune for the Name. Day after day, in the courts of the temple and from house to house, they have never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. (NIV)
Acts 8: 4
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. (NIV)
Outline of the Book of Acts
The preparation of the church for ministry - Acts 1: 1-2: 13.
Testimony begins in Jerusalem - Acts 2: 14-5: 42.
Testimony extends beyond Jerusalem - Acts 6: 1-12: 25.
(Attention shifts here from Peter's ministry to Paul's.)
The witness reaches Cyprus and southern Galatia - Acts 13: 1-14: 28.
The Jerusalem council - Acts 15: 1-35.
The witness reaches Greece - Acts 15: 36-18: 22.
The witness reaches Ephesus - Acts 18: 23-21: 16.
Arrest in Jerusalem - Acts 21: 17-23: 35.
The witness reaches Caesarea - Acts 24: 1-26: 32.
The witness reaches Rome - Acts 27: 1-28: 31.
Old Testament Bible Books (Index)
New Testament Bible Books (Index)