Books of the Bible

The Book of Acts

New Testament · Acts of the Apostles · Genre: History · Author: Attributed by early tradition to Luke · Chapters: 28

Acts is the thrilling story of the early church, from the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to the spread of the gospel across the Roman world. It shows how a small band of frightened disciples became a bold, Spirit-filled movement that turned the world upside down.

Start reading: Acts chapter 1

A key verse

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.Acts 1:8 (KJV)

The setting and background of Acts

Acts, whose full title is the Acts of the Apostles, is the second volume of Luke's two-part work, continuing directly from his Gospel. It is attributed by early tradition to Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, and it is the only book of its kind in the New Testament, a history of the early church that bridges the Gospels and the letters.

The book is structured by the risen Jesus' own words, that his followers will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. It moves from the ascension and Pentecost, through the birth and growth of the church in Jerusalem, to the spread of the gospel across the Roman world, following especially the missionary journeys of Paul until he reaches Rome.

Acts was written to show how the message of Jesus spread from a small group in Jerusalem to the capital of the empire, carried by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the sweep of Scripture, it is the indispensable bridge between the Gospels and the epistles, providing the setting for Paul's letters and modeling the mission and life of the church that continues the work the risen Christ began.

The story and structure of Acts

Acts is the second volume of Luke's work, continuing the story where his Gospel left off. It opens with the risen Jesus, over forty days, teaching his disciples about the kingdom, promising the Holy Spirit, and then ascending to heaven with the charge that they will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. That charge becomes the outline of the whole book.

At Pentecost the Spirit comes with the sound of a mighty wind and tongues of fire, and the once-fearful Peter preaches to the gathered crowds so powerfully that about three thousand believe and are baptized. The church is born, devoted to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer, sharing everything and full of joy.

The gospel spreads outward in widening circles despite fierce opposition. The apostles perform signs and preach boldly before the very council that condemned Jesus, declaring that they must obey God rather than men. Persecution scatters the believers, but this only carries the word farther, into Samaria and beyond, as the message leaps across barriers of race and nation.

A great turning point comes with the conversion of Saul, the fierce persecutor struck down by the risen Christ on the road to Damascus and transformed into Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. Meanwhile God shows Peter, through a vision, that the gospel is for the Gentiles too, and the door of faith is opened to all peoples.

The second half of the book follows Paul's missionary journeys, planting churches across the empire from Antioch to Asia Minor to Greece, reasoning in synagogues and marketplaces, suffering hardship and imprisonment. It ends with Paul in Rome, a prisoner yet preaching the kingdom of God boldly and without hindrance, the gospel having reached the heart of the empire, and the story still unfolding.

The great themes of Acts

Key passages in Acts

Acts in the sweep of Scripture

Acts is the indispensable bridge between the Gospels and the letters of the New Testament, showing how the message of Jesus spread from a small group in Jerusalem to the capital of the empire. It provides the historical setting for Paul's letters and models the mission and life of the church. Its account of the Spirit's power, the church's growth, and the gospel's advance across every barrier has inspired and instructed the church in mission ever since.

Where Christ is in Acts

Acts shows the risen and ascended Jesus continuing his work by his Spirit through his church, carrying his name to the nations exactly as he promised. The book that Luke began about all that Jesus started to do and teach continues as the risen Christ, now enthroned, pours out his Spirit and builds his church, so that the story of Jesus goes on in the mission of his people.

How to read Acts well

Read Acts to see the church as it was meant to be, Spirit-filled, bold, generous, and outward-facing, and let it stir your confidence that the same Spirit works today. Notice how the gospel crosses every barrier of race and nation, and let that enlarge your vision of God's purpose for all peoples. Take courage from the apostles' boldness under pressure, and hear in the book's open-ended close an invitation to take up your own part in the mission that is still unfolding.

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