Acts- Introduction

Additional Details

• Author: Luke
• Audience: Theophilus ("he who loves G-d") and first century believers
• Original Greek Name: Πράξεις τῶν Ἀποστόλων
• Translated Hebrew Name: מעשי השליחים
• Common English Name: Acts
• Transliteration: Praxeis ton Apostolon
• Meaning: Acts of the Apostles
• Date Created: c 63-70 CE
• Content Reference Time: c 30-59 CE
• Key Individuals:
  • Peter
  • John
  • James
  • Stephen
  • Philip
  • Paul
  • Barnabas
  • Cornelius
  • James
  • Timothy
  • Lydia
  • Silas
  • Titus
  • Apollos
  • Agabus
  • Ananias
  • Sapphira
  • Felix
  • Festus
  • Agrippa
  • Luke
• Key Themes:
  • Peter's preaching and service (Acts 1:1-12:25)
  • Paul's preaching and service (Acts 13:1-28:31)
• Date Canonized: c 70-170 CE
• Abstract:

  Written as a sequel to the book of Luke, the "Acts of the Apostles" continues Luke's message to Theophilus [friend of G-d] and relates the historical events of the early Messianic communities.  The book begins with the feast of Shavuot [Pentecost], when the Spirit of G-d came upon the believers, and continues through the middle of the first century when the disciples take Messiah's message from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the rest of the Mediterranean world.  Peter and the other disciples are shocked when Gentiles begin responding strongly to the gospel, and Messiah calls Paul to be the messenger of that "good news" to the Gentile world.  Finally, the book of Acts shows the apostles carrying out the Great Commission from the book of Matthew.

• Location Created: unknown
• Content Location: Jerusalem, Samaria, Lydda, Joppa, Antioch, Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Caesarea, Malta, Rome
• Teaches:
  • G-d enabled the work of believers through His Holy Spirit.
  • The assembly of G-d grew from believing Jews to include believing Gentiles.
  • The disciples were sent out as apostles and witnesses to the work of the Messiah.
  • The apostles encountered opposition from both Jews and Gentiles.
• Chapters: 28
• Verses: 1007