The Book of Acts

The book of Acts is a sequel, with continuation, of the Gospel of Luke and is addressed to the same man named Theophilus. Although the author is not identified by name in either book, the opinion of the majority of early Christians and the supporting evidence from within the two books point to Luke, "our dear friend... the doctor" (Col. 4:14), as the author of both books.

The Holy Spirit inspired Luke to write to Theophilus to fill a need in the church - particularly among the first Gentile Christians throughout the middle eastern and Mediterranean regions of the Roman Empire. Luke's books provide a full and accurate account of the beginnings of Christianity. His former book (Luke) is his Gospel about Jesus' life. His book of Acts is his account of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Jerusalem. Acts also gives account of the growth and development of the early church that followed. It is obvious that Luke was a skilled writer, a careful historian and an inspired theologian.

Acts covers selected portions of the first thirty years of the history of the church. As a church historian, Luke traces the spread of the message about Christ from Jerusalem to Rome. In the process, he mentions 32 countries, 54 cities, 9 Mediterranean islands, 95 different persons by name and a variety of government officials by their specific titles. Modern archaeology continues to confirm the amazing accuracy of the details recorded by Luke. In addition to historical details, Luke insightfully describes the meaning and importance of various experiences and events in the church's early years.

Luke has at least two purposes for recording the church's beginnings. He shows how the gospel spread effectively beyond the Jewish believers to the Gentiles. In spite of opposition and persecution, the book of Acts reveals how Christ's message eventually reached most of the Roman Empire. Luke reveals the Holy Spirit's central role in the church's life and mission, emphasizing the baptism in the Holy Spirit as God's way of empowering the church to spread the message of Jesus and to continue His ministry. Luke clearly records three times that the baptism in the Spirit was characterized by speaking in tongues. The context of these passages indicates that this was a normal experience in early Christianity and in God's enduring pattern for the church to this day.

While Luke's Gospel records "all that Jesus began to do and to teach", Acts describes what Jesus continued to do and teach - through His followers - after He returned to heaven. Jesus' work continued through the power of the Holy Spirit working through His followers individually and as a church body in cities, nations and throughout the world. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, His last instruction to His disciples was to wait in Jerusalem until they were "baptized with the Holy Spirit". The key verse of Acts (1:8) summarizes the spiritual and geographical focus of the book: Jesus promises His followers that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them.

Nine major themes characterize Acts: The church; the Holy Spirit; early church messages; prayer; signs; persecution; Jew/Gentile sequence; women, triumph of the message.

God gave us the book of Acts as more than just a history of the early church. The content reveals that God wanted to be a guide for Christian living and for a Spirit-filled church. Christians today ought to desire and expect their lives and churches to be characterized by the same types of ministry and experiences that were evident in the New Testament church, except that we are not still writing New Testament Scripture. This Biblical standard is accomplished when the church is operating in the full power of the Spirit. Nothing in Acts or the rest of the New Testament teaches that the miracles, spiritual gifts and standards for the church revealed throughout this book were relevant only for a period of time. These powerful works of the Holy Spirit wee not meant to end with the ministry of Christ's first followers. Christians today have the same purpose and need the same power to fulfill Christ's mission in their generation. Acts clearly reveals what the church must be and do in any generation as it continues Jesus' ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.