The book of the Acts is a divinely inspired record of the first 30 years of Christianity. It takes up the historical narrative where the four Gospels leave off (at the ascension of the Lord) and continues it from the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost to Paul’s captivity in Rome, some 30 years later.
A Transitional Book
Being supplementary to the Gospels and introductory to the Epistles, the book of the Acts documents the transition from Judaism to Christianity. As we turn the pages of the book, we see the Lord leading His Jewish saints out of the bondage of that legal system into the glorious liberty of Christianity, one step at a time. This transition is not something that the apostles invented after the Lord died (as some Jewish detractors say), but something that He taught His disciples when He was still on earth. In John 10, the Lord said that He was going to lead His “sheep” (Jewish believers) out of the “fold” of Judaism into a new Christian company which He called a “flock,” where “other sheep” (Gentile believers) would be added (John 10:1-161Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:1‑16)). We see this fulfilled in the book of the Acts.
The book has been called “The Acts of the Apostles,” but really, it only follows the labours of two apostles—Peter and Paul. In the first 12 Chapters, Peter is prominent, but from chapter 13 onward, the Spirit of God follows Paul’s journeys and labours in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. Ten of Paul’s 14 epistles were written in the time frame of the Acts. (See the chronological chart)
Three Prominent Cities in the Book
Three cities are prominent in the book—Jerusalem, Antioch, and Rome. In keeping with the transitional nature of the book, Jerusalem is in the foreground in the early chapters, but fades into the background as the chapters unfold. Jerusalem signifies the Church in its infant stage when it was still in the cradle of Judaism. Antioch is prominent in the middle part of the book; it signifies Christianity according to the mind of God, as directed by Christ the Head of the Church, through the Holy Spirit, and answers to normal Christianity—that is, Christianity as it should be. Rome becomes prominent in the latter part of the book; it signifies the Church marked by ruin and failure resulting from the negative influence that the Roman Catholic Church has had on the churches of Christendom.
The Purpose of the Book
Besides giving us a historical account of the early years of Christianity, the book serves a twofold purpose in the canon of Scripture:
Firstly, it documents the transition from Judaism to Christianity in the dispensational ways of God.
Secondly, it illustrates many of the truths taught in the epistles in real-life situations.
The Inspired Author—“Luke, the Beloved Physician”
By comparing the first few verses of the Gospel of Luke, with the opening verses of Acts, it is clear that Luke is the author of both. The “beloved Physician” was a Gentile believer (Col. 4:1414Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. (Colossians 4:14); 2 Tim. 4:1111Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (2 Timothy 4:11); Philemon 2424Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlaborers. (Philemon 24)) who joined Paul’s missionary band at Troas (chap. 16:8-10). In genuine humility, he veils his presence with Paul in the book by using the word “we.” Being from a Gentile background, Luke was fittingly chosen by God to give the history of the gospel going forth to the Gentiles. He is the only Gentile writer in the Bible. It is not known exactly when Luke wrote His Gospel, but by the time Paul wrote his 1St epistle to Timothy, he was quoting from it and referring to it as Scripture (Luke 10:77And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. (Luke 10:7); 1 Tim. 5:1818For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward. (1 Timothy 5:18)).
The Chronology of the Book of the Acts
A.D. 30—The ascension of Christ (chap. 1).
A.D. 30—The Spirit of God given on the day of Pentecost (chap. 2).
A.D. 31—The first persecution in Judea (chaps. 3-4).
A.D. 32—The second persecution Judea (chap. 5:17-41).
A.D. 35—The martyrdom of Stephen (chaps. 6:9–7:60).
A.D. 35—Philip’s ministry in Samaria and to the eunuch (chap. 8).
A.D. 36—Saul of Tarsus converted (chap. 9).
A.D. 41—Cornelius converted (chap. 10).
A.D. 41—The assembly at Antioch established (chap. 11:19-24).
A.D. 42—Barnabas & Paul at Antioch for a year (chap. 11:19-30).
A.D. 43—James is beheaded, and Peter imprisoned (chap. 12).
A.D. 46-48—Paul & Barnabas’ 1st missionary journey (chaps. 13-14).
A.D. 49—Paul & Barnabas at Antioch a long time (chap.. 14:28).
A.D. 50—The Jerusalem council regarding circumcision (chap. 15).
A.D. 51-54—Paul’s 2nd missionary journey (chaps. 15:36–18:22).
A.D. 52-53—Paul stays at Corinth for a year and a half (chap. 18).
A.D. 53—In Corinth, Paul writes 1st & 2nd Thessalonians.
A.D. 53—Paul arrives at Ephesus (chap. 18:18-21).
A.D. 54-58—Paul’s 3rd missionary journey (chaps. 18:23–21:17).
A.D. 54—Paul visits Galatia and Phrygia (chap. 18:23).
A.D. 55-57—Paul stays at Ephesus three years (chaps. 19:1-20:1).
A.D. 55—In Ephesus, Paul writes the epistle to the Galatians.
A.D. 56—In Ephesus, Paul writes 1st Corinthians.
A.D. 57—Paul goes into Macedonia and Greece and writes
2nd Corinthians and Romans (chap. 20:1-3).
A.D. 58—Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders (chap. 20:17-34).
A.D. 58—Paul’s arrest & capture at Jerusalem (chaps. 21:20–23:22).
A.D. 59-60—Paul is bound in Caesarea for two years (chap. 24:27).
A.D. 60—Paul is sent to Rome (Acts 27).
A.D. 61-62—Paul remains bound in Rome for two years where he
writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and
Philemon (chap. 28:30).
Chart
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