Author
Although not mentioned by name, Luke, the Gentile physician (Col 4:14), is believed to be the author of the book of Acts, the companion volume to the Gospel of Luke. The dear friend and traveling companion of Paul, Luke was an eyewitness to many of the events he recorded in Acts. His well-written books illustrate Luke’s keen knowledge of Greek literature and language.
Date
The book of Acts ends abruptly with Paul in his second year of house imprisonment in Rome, which began around AD 60. Luke does not give information concerning Paul’s trial or death (Paul died between AD 66 and 68). Nor does Acts record the Neronian persecution (AD 64–68) or the destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70). Scholars believe Luke would have included these important events if he had written Acts after AD 64. Thus, Acts was probably written sometime between AD 61 and 63.
Background
Setting
Luke wrote Luke and Acts while in Rome with Paul during the time of the apostle’s first Roman imprisonment.
Purpose
The book of Acts provides the history of the early Christian church. It tells how the gospel spread with miraculous and unhindered success from its Jewish roots in Jerusalem to Rome, the center of the Roman Empire. Acts especially follows the activities of the two apostles, Peter and Paul. As a historian, Luke had researched the events found in Luke and Acts so that he might provide a reliable written account for his readers. He also wanted his readers to know with certainty what they had been taught about the Christian faith. He desired to confirm them in their faith. He wanted his readers to live a strong and committed Christian life even in the midst of a pagan world.
Audience
Acts is addressed to a specific person, Theophilus. While Luke might have written to a specific man by the name of “Theophilus,” many have suggested that Luke addressed all those who love God, since “Theophilus” means “lover of God.” Either way, Luke wrote Acts to be read by many. These readers were evidently familiar with the Roman Empire and Asia Minor but perhaps not with Palestine, which would explain Luke’s carefully researched information about places in Palestine.
Literary Characteristics
Acts is written in narrative style with a precise beginning and ending, characters and a plot. Luke clearly meant the books of Luke and Acts to be read as a unified composition.
Themes
• An accounting of the spread of the gospel, universal in nature, unhindered in action and unending in scope;
• The unique role of the Holy Spirit in equipping those who share the gospel and in energizing the church;
• The development of a theology in which early Jewish Christians became a more inclusive people of God, adding believing Gentiles to the church.
Outline
Introduction: Prologue (1:1–26)
Christ’s ascension (1:1–11)
The choice of Matthias to replace Judas (1:12–26)
I. Peter: Missionary to the Jews (2:1–12:24)
A. Pentecost: the coming of the Holy Spirit (2:1–47)
B. The spread of Christianity in Jerusalem (3:1–5:16)
1. Peter’s healing of a lame man (3:1–26)
2. The arrest of Peter and John (4:1–22)
3. Unity in the early church (4:23–37)
4. Ananias and Sapphira (5:1–11)
5. Power through healing (5:12–16)
C. Opposition to Christianity in Jerusalem (5:17–42)
D. The choosing of seven deacons (6:1–8:4)
1. The selection of deacons (6:1–7)
2. Stephen’s message and his death (6:8–8:4)
E. The spread of Christianity in Judea and Samaria (8:5–12:24)
1. Philip’s evangelistic outreach (8:5–40)
2. Saul’s Damascus road experience (9:1–31)
3. Peter’s healing of Aeneas (9:32–35)
4. Peter’s raising of Tabitha from the dead (9:36–43)
5. Peter’s encounter with Cornelius (10:1–11:18)
6. The ministry of Saul and Barnabas in Antioch (11:19–30)
7. Herod’s harassment of the church (12:1–24)
II. Paul: Missionary to the Gentiles (12:25–28:31)
A. Paul’s first missionary journey (12:25–14:28)
B. Conflicts in the church (15:1–29)
C. Ministry in Syria (15:30–41)
D. Paul’s second missionary journey (16:1–18:22)
1. The arrival of Timothy (16:1–5)
2. The call to Macedonia (16:6–10)
3. Lydia’s baptism (16:11–15)
4. The imprisonment and release of Paul and Silas (16:16–40)
5. Paul in Thessalonica (17:1–15)
6. Paul in Athens (17:16–34)
7. Paul in Corinth (18:1–17)
8. Paul in Antioch (18:18–22)
E. Paul’s third missionary journey (18:23–21:16)
1. The encounter with Apollos (18:23–28)
2. Paul’s ministry in Ephesus (19:1–41)
3. The continuation of Paul’s journeys (20:1–21:16)
F. Paul’s journey to Rome (21:17–28:31)
1. Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem (21:17–22:29)
2. Paul’s address to the Sanhedrin (22:30–23:10)
3. The plot to kill Paul and his escape (23:11–35)
4. The accusation of Paul (24:1–26:32)
5. Paul’s voyage to Rome (27:1–28:31)