|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Author |
Luke |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Date |
Between AD 61 and 63 |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Time Span |
About 29 years (from the Ascension of Christ, about AD 33, through the imprisonment of Paul in Rome, about AD 62) |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Title |
From the book's description of the deeds (acts) of the Apostles as directed by the Holy Spirit of God |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Background |
Luke begins the book of Acts where he left off in his Gospel. Both are written to aid a new Christian named Theophilus. Acts is the essential link connecting the 4 Gospels with all the other New Testament writings. Acts shows the ministry of the Church carrying the Great Commission of Jesus unto the entire world. While mentioning most of the Apostles, this book emphasizes the ministries of Peter (chapters 1-12) and of Paul (chapters 13-28). |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Where |
Possibly at Caesarea or Rome |
||||||||||||||||||
|
To Whom |
To Theophilus and other Christian Gentiles |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Content |
Acts carries out the story of the ministry of Christ through the lives of His disciples. The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost giving power and boldness to aid Christians in witnessing to all the world of their risen Savior. Acts describes Peter's leadership of the Jewish church; the death of Stephen; intense persecution against Christianity led by Saul; his conversion; and becoming known as the Apostle Paul. He then leads 3 extensive missionary journeys teaching and preaching the Gospel. The book ends with Paul's trip to Rome, where he is put into prison. But Christianity has spread like fire from Jerusalem throughout the entire Roman Empire. Nothing can stop the Good News now! |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Themes |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Key |
“Holy Spirit”; “Growth.” Acts mentions or refers to the “Holy Spirit” more than 30 times. The book also outlines the “growth” of the Church: in number strength, and understanding. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Outline |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
More |
|||||||||||||||||||
