The Book of Acts

The Background of the Book

The author was Luke.

• Two lines of evidence support this.
  • The same person wrote the Gospel of Luke (Lk. 1:1-3, Acts 1:1-2).
  • Evidence indicates that he is present in the “we” passages (16:10-17, 20:6-21:18, 27:1-28:16).
• He was exceptionally qualified for this project.
  • He utilized written records (Lk. 1:1).
  • He travelled with Paul as an eyewitness (see “we” passages).
  • He interacted with believers throughout the Roman Empire.

He probably wrote at about 59-61 A.D.

• Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D.
• Jews revolted against Rome in 66 A.D.
• Rome burned in 64 A.D.

The Purpose of the Book

Luke wrote with a historical purpose, to chronicle the start of the church and verify its authenticity.

The book of Acts is not just a book about early church history. While some unique things do occur (e.g. special signs, tongues speaking, etc.), much of the book provides a timeless example for the church in any period. While this book provides a model for the church, the epistles provide a manual. The book of Acts and the epistles work together to provide the optimal perspective for the church today.

Luke wrote with a discipleship purpose, to build the faith of Theophilus (1:1) and show the church in action.

Thematic Threads in the Book

Acts is a book of firsts.

1. Luke records the first sermon of the church era (2:14-40). Peter preached to the crowds that gathered in Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost.
2. Luke records the first conversions of the church era (2:41) Three-thousand people converted as a result of Peter’s sermon.
3. Luke records the first persecution of the church (4:1-4). Peter and John were prosecuted by the Sanhedrin for healing a lame man in the name of Jesus.
4. Luke records the first divine judgment in the church (5:1-11). Ananias and Sapphira died as the consequence for their dishonesty about their financial contributions.
5. Luke records the first selection of deacons (6:1-7). The church chose seven men to administrate the practical functions of the church.
6. Luke records the first church martyrdom (7:54-60). Religious Jews killed Stephen by stoning, accusing him of blasphemy.
7. Luke records the first use of the term “Christian” (11:26). Local citizens called the believers at Antioch by this name, because of their testimony of allegiance and likeness to Christ.
8. Luke records the first missionary call (13:1-2). Paul travelled with Barnabas and Mark, preaching the gospel in the cities of Asia Minor.
9. Luke records the first gospel preaching in Europe (16:12-13). This occurred in Philippi during Paul’s second missionary journey.

Acts is a book of the Holy Spirit.

• He is mentioned over fifty times, more than in any other New Testament book.
• Luke carries this theme over from the Gospel of Luke. [1]

The book of Acts is a sequel to the Gospel of Luke, and both are addressed to Theophilus. According to Acts 1:1, Luke’s gospel is written to recount all that Jesus “began to do and teach.” Apparently the book of Acts recounts all that Jesus continued to do and teach.
 

• The Holy Spirit is introduced to four groups of people.
  • Jews (2:1-13)
  • Samaritans (8:5-25)
  • Gentiles (10:1-48)
  • Disciples of John the Baptist (19:1-7)

 Acts is a book of prayer.
 

• He highlights this in at least 19 of the 28 chapters. [2] 
• This is another theme that Luke carries over from the Gospel of Luke.

 
Acts is a book of preaching.
 

• Luke records four sermons by Peter.
  • Day of Pentecost (2:14-21)
  • To the Jews a Solomon’s Porch in the Temple complex (3:12-26)
  • At the home of Cornelius in Caesarea (10:34-43)
  • Before the apostle and elders in the Jerusalem Council (15:7-11)
• He records six sermons by Paul.
  • In the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia (13:34-43)
  • To philosophers on Mars Hill (17:22-31)
  • To the Ephesian elders at Miletus (20:17-38)
  • To a hostile Jerusalem crowd (22:1-22)
  • Before Felix, the Roman governor (24:10-21)
  • Before Herod Agrippa II (26:1-24)
• He records one sermon by Stephen, to hostile Jews (7:2-53).
• He records one sermon by James, from the Jerusalem Council (15).

Acts is a book of Spirit-filling.
 

• Spirit-filling is highlighted at least fourteen times. [3]
• It is regularly accompanied by bold witnessing.

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ yielded to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. He also spent considerable time in prayer. These things likewise became standard practice for His disciples in the book of Acts. Knowing this, how important should these things be for believers today?

Acts is a book of intense Jewish hostility, mentioned at least eighteen times. [4]
 

• Believers, especially Paul, frequently presented the gospel in synagogues. [5]
• The Jews frequently rejected the message.

Acts is a book of extensive church expansion. [6]

Acts is a book (surprisingly!) of money. [7]

It is possible that Theophilus, whom Luke calls “most excellent” (Lk. 1:3), was a wealthy person.

Tracing the Outline
 

• Chapters 1-12 focus on the leadership of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, with Jerusalem serving as the base of operations.
• Chapters 13-28 focus on the leadership of Paul as an apostle to the Gentiles, with Antioch of Syria serving as the center of operations.
  • Paul’s first missionary journey (13-14)—into Asia Minor (modern day Turkey)
  • Paul’s second missionary journey (15-18)—through Asia Minor and into Eastern Europe (modern day Greece)
  • Paul’s third missionary journey (18-21)—spending significant time in Ephesus (western Asia Minor) then through Eastern Europe
  • Paul’s trials and imprisonments (22-28)—first in Caesarea and then in Rome

“And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.” (28:30-31)

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[1] See Lk. 1:15, 41, 67, 2:25, 3:16, 22, 4:1, 12:10, 12

[2] 1:14, 2:42, 3:1, 4:24, 6:4, 7:60, 8:15, 9:11, 10:2, 11:5, 12:5, 13:3, 14:23, 16:13, 20:36, 21:5, 22:17, 27:35, 28:15

[3] 2:2, 4, 3:10, 4:8, 31, 5:3, 17, 28, 9:17, 13:9, 45, 52, 14:17, 19:29

[4] 4:1-3, 21, 5:17-18, 40, 7:54, 58, 8:1-3, 9:23, 12:1-3, 13:50, 14:1-2, 19, 17:2-9, 13, 18:12, 19:33-41, 20:3, 21:31, 23:12, 26:31-32

[5] 13:5, 13:14-15, 42, 14:1, 17:17, 18:4, 18:19, 26, 19:8

[6] 2:41, 47, 4:4, 5:14, 6:7, 9:31, 11:21, 12:24, 16:5, 17:6, 19:20

[7] 1:18, 2:44-45, 3:2-6, 4:32-37, 5:1-5, 6:1-8, 6:11, 8:8-23, 8:27-40, 9:36-39, 10:4, 11:29-30, 12:20-23, 16:16-19, 17:9, 18:3, 19:18-20, 19:24-28, 20:4, 20:33-34, 20:35, 21:24, 22:28, 24:17, 24:26, 28:30