INTRODUCTION TO ACTS
Title:
In fact, the book had no title until the middle of the second century AD. Acts 1:13 served as the base to title it as ACTS of the Apostles. However, records of most of the Apostles are missing. Only Peter, John, and James are found. The first part shows Peter as a prominent person, and in the second part, Paul was a prominent figure. Above all, the Holy Spirit was important than these two apostles and mentioned 51 times. Thus, many scholars suggested the title as the Acts of the Holy Spirit. Some scholars say it would be appropriate to title it as the Acts of the Risen Lord by the Holy Spirit in and through the Church. However, we have the condensed records and reports of the Apostles, believers, and the Church at large due to space and time. The book of the Acts of the Apostles is not a day to day journal. It is a recount of accounts of the Apostles' deeds from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth for comprehension.
Aims:
Author Luke aims to commend Christianity to the Roman Government officials, and they declared the innocence of the believers and apostles as well as to show the Christians as faithful and loyal citizens (Acts 13:12, 18:12-14, 16:35, 19:31,37,23:29,25:25). Then Luke shows that Christianity was for every country, every tribe, and every person on earth. Acts 1:8 narrated the chief purpose of Acts which is the theme Verse too.
Author:
Gospel of Luke and Acts are from one author Dr. Luke. They undoubtedly belong together in language, style, and theological position (Luke 1:1, Acts 1:1). He was also a pupil of Paul. He was a gentile Christian, so he explained the Gospel to Gentiles' understanding with a quick grasp.
Date: This book dates back to AD 60-80.
Overall Outline
NT Scholars are various views in outlining the Book of Acts. For our understanding and study, let us have the following outline in the weeks to come. Widely practiced division of Acts into two main parts of unequal lengths. Chapters 1-12 from Jerusalem to Antioch or Peter’s Section; and Chapters 13-28 from Antioch to Rome or Paul’s Section.
1:1-2:47 Early Life of the Church
3:1-8:03 Expansion of the Church in Jerusalem
3:1-6:7 Church at Jerusalem
6:8-8:3 Church spreads into Palestine
8:4-12:25 Expansion of the Church into Judea and Samaria
8:4-11:18 Church Expands into Samaria and the Coastal Region
11:19-12:25 Church extended into Antioch
13:1-28:31 Expansion of the Church into the Ends of the Earth
13:1-14:28 Mission Centre at Antioch and its activities
15:1-35 Apostolic Council
15:36-16:5 Church spreads into Asia Minor
16:6-19:20 Church expanded into Europe and Gentile Cities
19:21-28:31 Paul arrives at Rome and Preaches
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