The Acts of the Apostles Introduction
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I. Before we begin, let’s go back to Luke 1:1-4. This is what we did at the beginning of our study on Luke’s Gospel. Without looking up any information, what can you determine from these verses about the Gospel’s author, audience, date, and purpose?
a. Now compare this to Acts 1:1-2. What do you notice?
II. Author
a. “Luke the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14) b. Companion of Paul in his travels i. Note the “we” sections of Acts 16:10-17, 20:5-21:18, 27:1-28:16 c. Ministered to Paul in his final imprisonment i. 2 Tim. 4:11 – “Luke alone is with me” d. Eusebius (a 3rd century historian, wrote Ecclesiastical History) states Luke was from Antioch, and a physician by profession i. If this is true, which we believe it is, it would make Luke the only non- Jewish writer in the Bible (wrote Gospel as well as Acts – 25% of NT!) e. Eusebius also says that Paul would often quote Luke saying, “According to my Gospel…”
III. Audience
a. “Most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3, Acts 1:1) – man of some social standing (Roman?), likely bore the cost of publication and distribution of the book i. Theory that he may be King Agrippa II, to whom Paul testified (Acts 26) b. Audience is also larger community of believers, mostly Gentile Christians, who already had been taught, but are now being assured (“Eyewitnesses,” Luke 1:2); “that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught” (1:4) c. Catechumens – those preparing for Baptism in the Church d. Also, for non- or new believers – an “orderly account” (Luke 1:3) for them to hear about Jesus
IV. Purpose
a. Records the history of the early New Testament church from A.D. 30s to about 62-64 (the first generation of the disciples of Christ) b. Reports the coming the of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promises, and the power he gave to believers to begin witnessing (cf. Acts 1:8, see theme below) The Acts of the Apostles Introduction Page 2
c. Records what the message of the Gospel was from the very beginning: focused on Jesus crucified and risen again, as well as repentance and the forgiveness of sins i. A lot of preaching and teaching recorded in Acts, which is unique d. Shows the eventual break between Christianity and Judaism, and the relationship between Jewish and Gentile Christians e. Shows the relationship between Christians and government officials before official governmental persecution began (A.D. 64)
V. Dates
a. Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension – likely A.D. 33 (Acts 1) b. Paul’s conversion – A.D. 36; possibly Luke’s conversion ~ A.D. 41 when Paul (Saul) and Barnabas were in Antioch (the first “Christians” – Acts 11:26) c. Paul’s first missionary journey ~ A.D. 46-48 (Acts 13-14) d. Apostolic Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15) – A.D. 49 e. Luke accompanies Paul on second missionary journey ~ A.D. 49-51 (Acts 15- 18) f. Luke accompanies Paul on third missionary journey ~ A.D. 52-55 (Acts 18-21) g. Paul in custody in Jerusalem for two years ~ A.D. 55-57 i. Luke is visiting Paul (Acts 24:23), but also thought to be collecting material for his Gospel h. Luke accompanies Paul on voyage to Rome ~ A.D. 57-58 (Acts 27-28) i. Luke’s Gospel is likely written, followed by Acts ~ A.D. 58-60 i. There’s no mention of the outcome of Paul’s trial in Rome, the burning of Rome in A.D. 64 or the Christian persecution that followed under Nero. Also, there is no mention of Paul’s death at this time. Acts was likely written while Paul was under house arrest in Rome. j. Paul’s fourth missionary journey? ~ A.D. 62 (cf. Romans 15:28) k. Paul is imprisoned again and martyred in Rome ~ A.D. 64-68 (cf. 2 Timothy) l. Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed A.D. 70
VI. Theme
a. [Jesus said:] “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in al Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
VII. Outline
Part I: Acts 1-12 – Peter and the other Apostles witness in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas Part II: Acts 13:1-21:16 – Paul and his companions witness in Asia Minor and Europe Part III: Acts 21:17-28:31 – Paul as a prisoner witnesses from Jerusalem to Rome