Acts of the Apostles, abbreviation Acts, fifth book of the New Testament, a valuable history of the early Christian church. Acts was written in Greek, presumably by St. Luke the Evangelist. The Gospel According to Luke concludes where Acts begins, namely, with Christ's Ascension into heaven
#1 - DATING OF THE BOOK
Many liberals speculate that the author of Acts was dependent upon Josephus, a late first century Jewish historian, they date the book very late, anywhere between AD 80 and AD 130. However, there is no objective, external testimony from church history for doing so.
The historical movement of the book actually ends with Paul‟s first Roman imprisonment which lasted two years (28: 16, 30). The book concludes rather abruptly especially since Paul was freed and travelled for few more years in the Mediterranean area, visiting churches that he had earlier founded.
The only logical position is that Luke finished the writing of Acts during the two-year internment at Rome. This would give a date of AD 59-61, although some evangelicals date this imprisonment AD 58-60 or AD 61-63.
It is difficult to arrive with absolute certainty at fixed dates for some of the NT events; however, it is safe to assume that the book was composed before these significant events:
1. The burning of Rome AD 64.
2. The first imperial persecution of Christians AD 64-67.
3. The second Roman imprisonment of Paul AD 64-67.
4. The Jewish rebellion against the Romans AD 66.
5. The destruction both of Jerusalem and the Jewish temple by the Romans AD 70.
Surely Luke would have incorporated these events into his book if he had written after their occurrences.
#2 - PLACE OF WRITING
Caesarea, Achaea and Rome have been suggested as the place of writing, but these locations are conjectures. A location outside Palestine is likely in view of the cultured, Greek speaking readers for whom the work was intended.
#3 - PURPOSES OF THE BOOK
The purpose is to confirm Theophilus in the faith. Therefore, the book was designed to instruct him about the lives and activities of the apostles (1:1-2).
Luke wanted Theophilus to be aware of the geographical outreach of the Gospel message. Christ‟s instructions to the apostles provided the general outline of his book, showing how the Gospel was taken from Jerusalem to Rome (Acts 1:8).
Acts 1-7 – Jerusalem
Acts 8 – Judea and Samaria
Acts 9-28 – uttermost part – Syria, Phoenicia, Asia Minor, Greece and Italy.
Luke wanted to mark the numerical growth of Christianity from the small beginning in the upper room in Jerusalem to multitude of people that filled the Roman Empire.
Luke also wanted to show that Christianity was not a political threat to Rome, but that it was basically spiritual in essence.
Luke wrote to show that the apostles in spite of strong frequent Jewish opposition, continued to preach to the Jews first.
#4 - DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE BOOK
Acts is a book of firsts. It narrates the first election of a church officer (1:23-26), the first sermon of the new era (2:14-40), the first conversions (2:41), the first miracle (3:1-11), the first persecution (4:1-4), the first chastisement (5:1-11), the first deacons (6:1-7), the first sermon by a layman (7:2-53), the first Christian Martyr (7:54-60), the first Gentile converts (10:44-48), the first time the name Christian is mentioned (11:26), the first apostolic Martyr (12:2), the first call to missionary service (13:1-12), the first church council or debate (15:1-30) and the first preaching in Europe (16:12-13).
Acts must also be seen as a transitional book. It bridges the gap between the Gospels and the Epistles, between the ministry of Christ and the activities of the apostles. It is therefore an introductory book, full of historical background.
The Holy Spirit is mentioned over fifty times in this book, more than in any other NT book. It is no wonder that some have dubbed it “The Acts of the Holy Spirit.”
Many important aspects of pneumatology can be drawn from Luke‟s narratives.
Luke also emphasised prayer. Every chapter shows the result of earnest prayer and almost every chapter makes mention of it by name.
Acts is basically a book of mission and witness. Jesus charged: “...ye shall be witnesses unto me” (1:8). They were to evangelize the world, spreading the good. Luke also emphasised prayer. Every chapter shows the result of earnest prayer and almost every chapter makes mention of it by name.
#5 - THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK
Luke structured this book in a simple fashion
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Although called “The Acts of the Apostles,” the book stresses the activities of only two of them, Peter and Paul. The first twelve chapters deal with the outreach of Peter toward the Jew from the church at Jerusalem. The closing chapters deal with Paul‟s ministry mainly to the Gentiles from his home church at Antioch in Syria.
Paul‟s life is divided into two sections: his three missionary journeys (13:1-21:17) and his defences of the Christian faith as a Roman prisoner (21:18-28:31).
OUTLINE OF THE BOOK
Acts 1:1-6:7 – the church in Jerusalem
Acts 6:8-9:31 – the church throughout Judea
Acts 9:32-12:24 – the church at Antioch
Acts 12:25- 16:5 – the church throughout Asia Minor
Acts 16:6- 19:20 – the church throughout Europe
Acts 19:21- 28:32 – the church at Rome
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