This book is the history of the early church. Luke picks up where his Gospel leaves off, adds a couple of details and moves on to show the persecution, expansion, and growth of the early church. Clearly the book is an incomplete history of the church. It is designed to show the outcome of Luke’s theme of salvation history, the effects of the Gospel message moving from Jerusalem to Samaria to the Gentiles, the “uttermost parts” of the earth (Acts 1:8). In the process, Luke focuses upon the actions of Peter and Paul.

Theme and PurposeOne purpose of the book of Acts was to

document the rapid growth of the followers of Jesus: from Jewish roots to worldwide ministry; from the locked upper room to the palace of Caesar.

The theme is to give an early history and development of the Church.

Authorship and Date The book is anonymous, but Luke is

strongly implied. There is much discussion and

disagreement as to the time of the writing of Acts, but the events themselves cover from about A.D. 30-63

Since the book ends with Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, A.D. 58-63, is favored.

Genre

Acts is to the NT what Joshua through II Kings is to the OT: historical narrative. Biblical historical narrative is factual, but the focus is not on chronology or exhaustive recording of events. It selects certain events which explain who God is, who we are, how we are made right with God, and how God wants us to live.

OutlineI Introduction and Instruction

The Prologue 1:1-5The Ascension 1:6-11Preparation for the Witness 1:12-2:4

II Witness in JerusalemPentecost 2:4-47Peter and John 3:1-4:31The Apostles 4:32-5:42Stephen 6:1-8:3

III Witness in Judea and SamariaPhilip 8:4-40Saul’s (Paul) Conversion 9:1-31Peter 9:32-11:18The Church 11:19-12:25

IV To the Uttermost PartsFirst Missionary Journey 13:1-14:28Jerusalem Council 15:1-35Second Missionary Journey 15:36-18:22Third Missionary Journey 18:23-21:16Paul’s Journey to Rome 21:17-28:31