The Book of Acts, also known as The Acts of the Apostles, is an important book in the New Testament that chronicles the early history of the Christian church. Acts picks up where the Gospels leave off, following Jesus’ ascension into heaven. It tells the story of how the disciples carried out the Great Commission to spread the gospel message around the ancient Mediterranean world.
Acts raises many fascinating questions for Bible readers today. Some key questions include:
Who wrote the Book of Acts?
The Book of Acts does not specifically name its author, but it is almost universally believed that Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke, also penned Acts. The books are addressed to the same individual, Theophilus (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1). They share similarity of language and themes. And in Acts, the author switches to the first person in passages where Paul is present – indicating the author accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys (Acts 16:10). For these reasons, Luke is considered the author of Acts.
When was Acts written?
Dating the book of Acts is challenging, but scholars generally believe it was composed between AD 80-90. The abrupt ending of Acts leads many to conclude it was written before the martyrdom of Paul and fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. However, some argue the absence of these major events suggests a date after their occurrence. Regardless, the book clearly covers the earliest days of the church after Christ’s ascension, through the ministry of Peter and the earliest missionary journeys of Paul.
What is the purpose and theme of Acts?
As a sequel to Luke’s gospel, Acts was likely written to provide a history of the early church. Its opening verses state it is an account of “all that Jesus began to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). The book bears witness to Jesus’ final instructions to take the gospel worldwide (Acts 1:8). Acts traces the spread of the message from Jerusalem, where the church was founded, to Rome, the capital of the Gentile world. Throughout the book, both the empowering Holy Spirit and the faithfulness of Christ’s followers enable the church to grow and flourish against all odds.
What unique contribution does Acts make to the New Testament?
Acts provides the biblical history of the early Christian church and the spread of the gospel after Jesus’ ascension. It describes the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the growth of the church under the leadership of the apostles, the conversion of Paul, and his missionary journeys to Asia Minor and Europe. Acts contains important details on the development of church government and provides examples for dealing with conflicts within the church. The events in Acts establish important historical context for Paul’s letters.
How should the speeches in Acts be interpreted?
There are 24 speeches scattered throughout Acts, making up about one-third of the book. While the speeches sum up the arguments and defenses made by Peter, Paul, Stephen, and others, they should not be considered verbatim transcripts. The speeches show evidence of Luke’s writing style, indicating he crafted and condensed them to highlight key themes and points. However, they remain highly valuable, as they encapsulate the preaching and teaching of the apostles and illustrate Luke’s theological purposes in writing Acts.
How historically reliable is the Book of Acts?
Most scholars consider Acts to be a generally reliable history of the early church. The narrative includes specific details, such as names of places and titles of officials, that lend historical credibility. The later chapters where Luke himself appears also switch to a first-person perspective. While Luke arranges events for theological purposes at times, archaeology has verified that Acts exhibits strong historical knowledge of the 1st century Mediterranean world. The account in Acts also aligns with what is known of Paul’s life from his own letters.
What role does the Holy Spirit play in Acts?
The Acts of the Apostles could also be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit guides and empowers the church throughout the book, fulfilling Jesus’ promise to send an advocate (John 14:26). The Spirit descends upon believers at Pentecost (Acts 2), filling them with power, emboldening their witness, and enabling them to speak languages they had not learned. The Spirit leads the apostles, directs Philip (Acts 8), and guides the council in Jerusalem (Acts 15). The Spirit prevents Paul from going into certain regions while calling him to others through visions (Acts 16:6-10).
How does Acts portray the early church?
Acts depicts the early church as a fellowship marked by joy, wonder, generosity, and rapid growth. The believers share meals, pray, live communally, care for the poor, perform signs and wonders, and publicly testify about Jesus. At times disagreement arises over including Gentiles or over doctrine, but the apostles work to maintain unity. Both Hellenistic and Hebraic Jews are part of the church. Women like Dorcas and Lydia play important roles in the community. Persecution scatters the believers but also spreads the gospel further.
What model of salvation does Acts teach?
Salvation in Acts comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. People are exhorted to “repent and be baptized” and to “believe in the Lord Jesus” (Acts 2:38; 16:31). Acts teaches salvation is a free gift with no prerequisite of works. However, believers are called to lives of holiness, not license. Repentance and conversion require a change in lifestyle. The gospel is also for all people – Acts shows non-Jews like Cornelius receiving the Spirit and being baptized, highlighting that salvation is for the Gentiles also.
What does Acts teach about evangelism and missions?
Acts provides a biblical model for spreading the gospel. Led by the Spirit, the believers evangelize passionately in both word and deed. The disciples overcome fear and boldly proclaim Christ in public places despite opposition. Philip witnesses to the Ethiopian eunuch on the road. Peter takes the gospel to the Gentile Cornelius. Paul’s missionary journeys plant churches across the Roman world. Timothy, Titus, Silas, Priscilla and Aquila all advance the faith. Believers are to take the salvation message everywhere in the power of the Spirit.
How did the church begin to spread beyond Jerusalem?
Initially the church was made up of Jewish believers in Jerusalem. But persecution scattered the believers after Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 8:1). Philip preached in Samaria, reaching non-Jews with the gospel. Then Philip converted an Ethiopian visitor. In Acts 10, Peter baptizes the Gentile centurion Cornelius, demonstrating that salvation was for all nations. The church formally affirmed this through the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. Paul’s missionary journeys expanded the church’s reach to Asia Minor and Europe. Thus despite its Jewish roots, the church quickly became multiethnic and global in scope.
How should Acts inform church leadership and structure today?
While not dictating exact leadership forms, Acts provides principles relevant to church governance today. The congregation affirms the selection of Matthias to replace Judas (Acts 1:15-26). The church appoints seven Spirit-filled men to distribute food (Acts 6:1-7). Elders are appointed in each church (Acts 14:23). The Jerusalem Council serves as a model of leaders gathering to decide doctrine (Acts 15). Qualifications for church leaders emphasize spiritual character (Acts 6:3). While every church has freedom in structure, Acts illustrates that leaders should be godly, affirmed by the church, and work in unity with other churches.
What major events from the life of Peter appear in Acts?
Peter is a prominent leader in the first half of Acts. After Jesus’ ascension, Peter takes charge of the process to choose Judas’ replacement (Acts 1:15-26). At Pentecost, Peter preaches the gospel and 3000 believe (Acts 2). He heals a lame beggar and speaks before the Sanhedrin (Acts 3-4). Ananias and Sapphira die after deceiving the church under Peter’s oversight (Acts 5). Peter heals Aeneas and Dorcas and raises Dorcas to life (Acts 9). He receives the vision from God to share the gospel with Gentiles (Acts 10) and baptizes the household of Cornelius. He is miraculously freed from prison by an angel (Acts 12). The Book of Acts highlights Peter’s foundational role in the early church.
How did Paul’s background make him an effective missionary?
Paul’s background as a Jew, Roman citizen, and former Pharisee prepared him well to bring the gospel across cultures. He was born Jewish, so had credibility preaching in synagogues and affirming Jesus as the Messiah of Israel. His upbringing in Tarsus, a notable Greek city, meant he was at home in the Gentile world. As a Roman citizen, he avoided beatings and could appeal to Caesar. His religious training as a Pharisee enabled him to argue Christ from the Scriptures. He knew both Jewish culture and Gentile philosophy. God used the varied facets of Paul’s background to advance the gospel across barriers.
What were the most significant events on Paul’s missionary journeys?
Paul’s three extensive missionary journeys spread the gospel widely. On the first journey (Acts 13-14), Paul preaches in Cyprus and Asia Minor, including Pisidian Antioch and Lystra. At Lystra, Paul heals a lame man and is hailed as Hermes before being stoned. On the second journey (Acts 15:36-18:22), Paul meets Timothy and Silas and receives the Macedonian call to preach in Greece. In Philippi, Paul exorcises a spirit from a slave girl and is imprisoned but converts the jailer. On the third journey (Acts 18:23-21:16), Paul spends over two years in Ephesus and writes 1 Corinthians. He also visits churches in Macedonia, Greece, and Asia Minor. These journeys leave thriving churches across the Roman Empire.
How did Paul’s imprisonments advance the gospel?
Paul suffered imprisonments in Philippi, Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Rome. But he declared that these “served to advance the gospel” (Philippians 1:12). In Philippi, his night in prison leads to the conversion of the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:25-34). In Jerusalem, his arrest incites a riot, allowing Paul to speak to the crowds (Acts 21:27-22:21). In Caesarea, Paul witnesses to Felix, Festus, and Agrippa (Acts 24-26). In Rome, under house arrest, Paul freely welcomes seekers and teaches “with all boldness” (Acts 28:30-31). Even in prisons, Paul courageously shares the gospel with all who will listen. His example has emboldened persecuted believers through the centuries.
How are women portrayed and mentioned in the Book of Acts?
Women play prominent roles in the Book of Acts. The disciples include “certain women” among Jesus’ followers after his resurrection (Acts 1:14). At Pentecost, Peter preaches that the Spirit is poured out on both “sons and daughters” (Acts 2:17). Many Jews and Greeks “not a few prominent women” believe (Acts 17:4). Dorcas is “full of good works and charity” in Joppa (Acts 9:36). Mary is the mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12). Lydia is a worshiper of God and her whole household is baptized (Acts 16:14-15). Priscilla, with her husband Aquila, instructs Apollos more accurately in the faith (Acts 18:26). Philip’s four daughters prophesy (Acts 21:8-9). Women are vital partners in spreading the gospel.
What miracles are recorded in Acts and why are they significant?
The Book of Acts records numerous miracles that proclaim the power of the risen Christ and the coming of the kingdom of God: healings (3:1-10; 9:32-35; 14:8-10; 28:7-9); exorcisms and demon expulsions (5:16; 8:7; 16:16-18; 19:11-12); raising the dead (9:36-42; 20:9-12); angelic visitations and prison breaks (5:17-21; 12:6-11; 16:25-26); and even the raising of Eutychus by Paul after his deadly fall (20:7-12). These signs and wonders validate the gospel message, overcome unbelief, and model the authority given to the church over spiritual forces of darkness. They continue Jesus’ ministry.
What disagreements and controversies arose in the early church according to Acts?
The early church dealt with significant doctrinal debates and disputes according to Acts, including: requirements for Gentile believers regarding circumcision and the Law of Moses (Acts 15:1-21); distribution of food in the church and neglect of Greek Jewish widows (Acts 6:1-7); the nature of resurrection (Acts 17:18); competing teachings in Ephesus (Acts 20:28-30); and the charges against Paul regarding Torah and Temple practices (Acts 21:20-24). However, the apostles worked to resolve these issues through discussion in a spirit of grace, love, and truth (Acts 15:7-21). Unity in Christ was maintained while embracing freedom in secondary matters (Acts 15:19).
How does Acts portray the opposition and persecution faced by the church?
From its beginning, the church faced intense persecution, instigated by Jewish religious leaders like the Sanhedrin and scribes. Stephen is martyred (Acts 7). James the brother of John is killed by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:2). Mob violence and false charges are used against Paul and other believers. Opposition arises from both Jews and Gentiles, including Ephesian silversmiths whose business suffers (Acts 19:23-41). Persecution ultimately forces the disciples to scatter from Jerusalem, inadvertently furthering the spread of the gospel. But in the face of harassment, prison, stoning, and even execution, the church displays courage and joy in the Lord.
What Old Testamentbackground is helpful when reading Acts?
Acts quotes or alludes to the Old Testament extensively, so biblical background enhances understanding of the book. Acts opens by depicting Jesus as the fulfillment of the promised Messianic kingdom foretold by the prophets (Acts 1:6). Peter cites Psalms to explain Jesus’ betrayal by Judas as fulfillment of Scripture (Acts 1:20). He quotes Joel on the pouring out of the Spirit (Acts 2:17-21). Stephen recounts Old Testament history, arguing Israel rejected those sent to them (Acts 7). Philip explains Isaiah’s servant prophecy to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:32-33). Knowledge of the Old Testament enriches comprehension of Acts and its theology.
How did the Book of Acts set the stage for church history that followed?
Acts provides a crucial inspired record of the early church. It describes the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, the growth and spread of the gospel, the missionary expansion into Asia and Europe, and the earliest leadership structures. The conversions, speeches, miracles, controversies and spread of the faith in Acts all establish patterns that would characterize church history in subsequent centuries. As the only inspired history of the primitive church, Acts serves as the theological precedent for the mission and growth of Christianity worldwide throughout the ages, from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
In summary, the Book of Acts provides unique and invaluable insight into the emergence of the early Christian church. Its narrative supplies answers to some of the most significant questions about the beginnings of the faith and the role of the apostles like Peter and Paul. Studying Acts closely yields crucial background information for better understanding the New Testament epistles and the remainder of the Bible. The book continues to instruct, encourage, and inspire Christians today with models for faith, evangelism, leadership, and perseverance through persecution. For all who seek to follow Christ faithfully, Acts offers indispensable perspective on living out the gospel mission.
