Structure
The Book of Acts, also known as The Acts of the Apostles, is the fifth book of the New Testament. It serves as a bridge between the Gospels and the Epistles, providing a historical account of the early church. Broadly, it can be outlined in two major sections:
The Witness in Jerusalem (Acts 1–7)
The Ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1–2).
The growth of the Jerusalem church through miracles, teaching, and community life (Acts 2–5).
The martyrdom of Stephen and the first persecution (Acts 6–7).
The Witness Beyond Jerusalem (Acts 8–28)
The spread of the gospel to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8–12).
The conversion of Paul and his missionary journeys (Acts 9, 13–21).
The gospel’s advance into the Gentile world.
Paul’s arrest, trials, and final journey to Rome (Acts 21–28).
This structure follows Jesus’ commission in Acts 1:8: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Purpose
The purpose of Acts can be summarized in several key themes:
Historical Record: Acts documents the birth and expansion of the early Christian church, showing how a small Jewish sect became a worldwide movement.
Theological Emphasis: It highlights the work of the Holy Spirit, the centrality of Jesus’ resurrection, and the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation.
Apologetic Goal: Acts demonstrates that Christianity is not a threat to the Roman Empire, often showing Roman officials declaring the apostles innocent.
Encouragement for Believers: By recounting the perseverance of the apostles through persecution, imprisonment, and hardship, Acts encourages faithfulness and bold witness.
Continuation of Luke’s Gospel: Since Acts is written by Luke as a sequel to his Gospel, it shows how Jesus’ ministry continues through the apostles and the Spirit.
History
Authorship: Acts is traditionally attributed to Luke, the physician and companion of Paul. It is the second volume of Luke’s two-part work (Luke–Acts).
Date of Writing: Most scholars date Acts around AD 62–70, with some suggesting it could be as late as the 80s. The book ends with Paul in Rome under house arrest, without mentioning his death (c. AD 64–67), which suggests an earlier date.
Historical Context:
The Roman Empire provided stability, roads, and relative peace (Pax Romana), aiding missionary travel.
Judaism was diverse, with groups like Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots. The Christian movement emerged within this religious landscape but quickly expanded into the Gentile world.
Acts references real cities, rulers, and customs, and archaeology has confirmed many of its details, lending it historical credibility.
Significance in Church History: Acts is the primary source for understanding how Christianity spread in the first generation after Jesus’ resurrection. It shows the transition from a Jewish-centered faith to a global church rooted in both Jewish and Gentile communities.
In short: The Book of Acts is a historical narrative of the early church’s growth, structured around the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. It was written to encourage believers, demonstrate the Spirit’s power, and show how Christianity fulfilled God’s plan for all nations.
