Introduction to Acts

Dr. Gail E. Terrell
Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Hamilton , Ohio

1. Author.   The author of Acts uses first person in the introduction (1:1); however, he is not named within the text.   The physician Luke has been considered from earliest times to be the author.   Medical terms used in Acts (3:7; 9:18 ; 12:23 ; 13:11 ; 28:8) confirm that physician Luke was the author.   Luke is considered to be a gentile because his name is listed separate from the Jews but with the Greeks in Colossians 4:10-14.   Luke joined Paul at Troas during Paul’s second missionary journey and became a helper to Paul.   Some commentators believe that Luke was secretary to Paul while Paul dictated the book of Acts ; that is, Paul was speaking and Luke was writing (Philemon 24) .   Luke traveled with Paul (II Timothy 16:9-12; 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16).   Luke may have served as pastor of the Philippian church.   Although the date for the writing of Acts does not describe Paul’s release from Paul’s first two-year Roman imprisonment in 63 A.D. (Acts 27:1-17; 28:14-31; Colossians 4:14).   Acts must have been written between 61-63 A.D. just before Paul was released from his first Roman imprisonment.
   
2. Recipients.   Acts is addressed to Theophilus (1:1; Greek, lover of God ) who was a high official (most excellent, Acts 23:26; 24:3; 26:25) and probably a Greek nobleman.   Luke provides explanations to aid gentile readers.   Luke describes the missionary outreach of the Gospel to the gentiles.   Luke gives much insight into people not mentioned in other books of the New Testament.
    
3. Theme.   The Gospel of Christ reaches unto the uttermost part of the earth as churches conduct the work of the Great Commission given them by Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20).
    
4. Key verses.   1:8 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.   16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.   20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.   20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
   
5. Key words used in Acts (including pronouns in reference to persons of the Godhead):   God the Father – about 275 times; Christ – about 250 times; Holy Spirit – about 57 times; preach, preached, preacheth, preaching – 38 times (more than any other book of the Bible); baptism, baptized – 27 (more than any other book of the Bible); church – 24 times (more than any other book of the Bible).
   
6. References to the Lord’s church in Acts: The word church appears 24 times in Acts, and this is more than in any other book of the Bible.   In addition, the words for the work of the church, preach and baptism with their cognate forms, also appear more in Acts than in any other book of the Bible.
   1. 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people.   And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
   2. 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
   3. 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mountSina, and with our fathers:   who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
   4. 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death.   And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem:   and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
   5. 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women and committed them to prison.
   6. 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
   7. 11:22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
   8. 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch.   And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people.   And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
   9. 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hand to vex certain of the church.
   10. 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
   11. 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
   12. 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
   13. 14:23 And when they had ordained elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
   14. 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
   15. 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
   16. 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
   17. 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren.
   18. 15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
   19. 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
   20. 18:22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
   21. 19:32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another:   for the assembly was confused:   and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
   22. 19:39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
   23. 19:41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
   24. 20:17 And from Mileus he sent to Ephesus, and called elders of the church.
   25. 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
       
7. Acts has 28 chapters, 1,007 verses, and about 24,250 words.

 Notes