Acts:

A brief overview



Genre.
Theological, historical narrative.


Authorship.
It was written by Luke, who was a doctor and a co-worker with Paul in his ministry (Col. 4.14, Philemon 1.24). Thus the book is written in good Greek, shows attention to detail, and provides an objective account that is historically accurate (and also good dramatic or engaging narrative). Most or all books of the New Testament were included in the canon of Scripture because they were found to be indubitably inspired, and because they bore apostolic authority. Books bore apostolic authority by being written by an apostle (Paul, Peter, John) or someone working under an apostle (Luke under Paul, Mark under Peter), or otherwise impressive credentials (James and Jude, half-brothers of Jesus). Luke was with Paul at times during his journeys in Acts. We notice this when the narrative switches from 3rd person to 1st person 'we' in chapters 16, 17, 20, 21, 27-28.

Acts is believed to have been written c. 59~63 A.D. as Paul was under house arrest in Rome. From detective work in comparing Acts, the epistles, and what we know of Roman history, we conclude that Paul was acquitted afterwards, though later he was arrested again and killed under Nero, c. 67~69. It may seem odd that Luke ends the book with Paul under house arrest, but possibly Luke didn't want to wait indefinitely and wanted to publish the book to defend Christianity at a time when it was under attack.


Audience.
Acts is basically a second volume following on the gospel of Luke. Both are addressed to Theophilus, whose name means 'one who loves God' in Greek. The name indicates someone from a Hellenic Jewish family. In the inter-testamental period up to the time of Acts, some Gentiles converted to Judaism (for Hebraic, i.e., Israeli Jews, 'Greek' and 'Gentile' were almost synonymous) and were known as Hellenic Jews. It is these Jews who came from other countries to worship in Jerusalem when Pentecost occurred. The style of addressing Theophilus is similar to how writers dedicated their works to patrons (wealthy financial supporters). Thus, Theophilus is probably Luke's financial patron and a Hellenic Jewish Christian. Of course, the book is actually written to a general audience of Christian and non-Christian readers.


Characters.
The main human characters are Peter in the first part, and Paul in the second. However, the Holy Spirit is another main character throughout the whole book. This main character, plus the theme, provide the book its literary unity.


Significance.
Acts provides crucial historical information on the beginnings of the Christian Church, its formation and early development, the apostolic era, examples for Christian living and church life, and doctrinal instruction; and it is foundational to the epistles that follow.


Purpose.
Luke writes Acts not only as a history, but as a defense of Christianity (for apologetic and evangelistic purposes), and it depicts the triumph of Christianity in the face of attack. It is also a teaching guide. At a time when the Holy Spirit is working mightily, we see positive examples (and a few negative examples) for Christian living, spirituality, and church life. Thus, it is a vision and a basic blueprint for God's church.


Theme.
The theme comes from verse 8: being filled with the Spirit, spreading the gospel from Jerusalem to Judea, to Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. This theme plays itself out in the whole book, and this theme provides the essence of the "blueprint".


Outline.
Acts could be briefly outlined either according to the progression of the main human characters, Peter and Paul, or according to the geographic progression of the church's and the Spirit's evangelistic activity – from Jerusalem, to surrounding areas, to all the nations of the world.

ch. 1-12 Peter
13-28 Paul
ch. 1-7 in Jerusalem
8-9 Judea & Samaria
9-28 to the Gentiles