The book of Acts
The Book of Acts
What is the book of Acts about?
The book of Acts (also known as "Acts of the Apostles") is a bridge between the events of Jesus in the Gospels and the life of the church in the letters that follow. Luke begins with Jesus' ascension into heaven after forty days of post-resurrection activity.
Ten days later, God sends the Holy Spirit on the festival day of Pentecost and the church is born. Through the Spirit, the disciples are empowered to preach boldly about Jesus, and 3,000 people became Christians that day. Jewish leaders, fearing the new movement, begin persecuting believers, who scatter to other areas and spread the gospel through much of the known world.
The ultimate persecutor, Saul, becomes a Christian himself after meeting the brightly shining, heavenly Jesus on the road to Damascus. Saul, later called Paul, ultimately joins Peter and other Christian leaders in preaching, working miracles, and strengthening the growing church.
Who wrote the book of Acts?
The author of Acts is Luke, a Gentile physician and missionary companion of Paul.
Who is the audience?
Addressed to Theophilus, but intended for all believers.
Timeframe Acts was written:
Written sometime around 63 AD or later.
"In short" (One sentence summary):
The book of Acts shows how the gospel spread rapidly from Jerusalem to the whole Roman Empire, and from its Jewish roots to the Gentile world.
Fun facts about Acts/Did you know?
Acts tells of the first Christian martyr, Stephen, stoned to death for blaming Jewish leaders for the death of Jesus (chapter 7). Acts also depicts the gospel's transition from a purely Jewish message to one for all people and the beginning of the Christian missionary movement (chapter 13).
