An Introduction to Acts

The book of Acts, or The Acts of the Apostles, is the continuation of the
Gospel of Luke, written by Luke shortly after his Gospel, likely around AD
62 in Rome. Luke addresses the book to Theophilus, with a broader
audience of both Christian and non-Christian Gentiles. While Luke’s Gospel
can stand on its own, Acts is best understood as its continuation, showing
how Jesus’ ministry and mission continue through the Holy Spirit and the
early church. Luke’s purpose is to strengthen or establish Theophilus’s faith
by providing a theological interpretation of the history of the early church
and the spread of the gospel.

Thesis of Acts: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. -Acts 1:8

The writing of this Gospel was important because it chronicled the history of the early church and showed how the message of Jesus spread from a small Jewish community post-resurrection to the ends of the earth. It was also an encouragement for the readers to endure the persecution they were under.
The book of Acts teaches us the history of the early church, what it means to be a disciple of Jesus empowered by God’s Spirit, and invites disciples of Jesus to participate in the mission of God

Structure of Acts

The book of Acts chronicles how the Gospel spread from the small community of Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, and into the ends of the Earth! The book ends with the Apostle Paul preaching the Gospel without hindrance, reminding readers today that we have a part to play in bringing the Gospel to the ends of the Earth. As you read through the book, try to identify and write down what starts each new structure.

Jerusalem

Acts 1-7

Judea and Samaria

Acts 8-12

Ends of the Earth

Acts 13-20

Paul's Journey to Rome

Acts 21-28

Theological Interests of Acts

Luke wrote the Gospel of Acts with 4 theological interests, all of which show up in the thesis of the book! While you’re reading Acts, try to keep the interests in mind and highlight where you see them in the text.

Luke introduces the readers to the person of the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Spirit, and the power of Spirit to advance God’s mission.
How the Gospel of Jesus spreads from a small group of Jewish believers to the entire world.
The salvation oﬀered through Jesus is for all people who make Him Lord by faith. The gospel crosses ethnic, cultural, geographic, and social boundaries as God gathers people from every nation into his people.
How the story of Israel (God’s promises, covenant,
kingdom, Messiah, and salvation) finds its fulfillment in Jesus and continues through the church.

As you read through the book of Acts, here are some ways that you can prayerfully study and engage the text. Pray these points for yourself and for our church!

Prayer Points

Pray that you would depend on the Holy Spirit rather than our own strength, trusting him to empower us to live faithfully and bear witness to Jesus.
Pray for courage to proclaim the gospel clearly and faithfully, and for God to give you wisdom in who to share with.
Pray that you would see ourselves as a sent disciple, willing to go wherever God leads you and to faithfully participate in his mission to make disciples of all nations.
Pray that you would remain faithful to Jesus amid suﬀering, opposition, uncertainty, and hardship, trusting that nothing can stop the advance of God's kingdom and the gospel.