Acts of the Apostles

Placement in the Holy Bible:

• Fifth book of the New Testament

Author:

• Luke, who also wrote the Gospel of Luke, and includes experiences and journeys of the apostles in this account.

Intended Audience:

• All Christians and those interested in learning about the growth and spread of the early Church and Christianity.

Purpose:

• To document the establishment, growth, and challenges faced by the early Church.
• To illustrate the spread of Christianity through the actions, miracles, and guidance of the apostles.

Key Themes:

• Presence of the Holy Spirit: A central theme is the presence of the Holy Spirit and its works.
• Growth of the Early Church: The expansion of the Church from Jerusalem to other regions, along with the challenges it faced.
• Paul’s Ministry: A detailed account of Paul’s life and ministry, his journeys, and the churches he established.

Major Sections:

1. The Coming of the Holy Spirit (Chapters 1-2): The presence of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and the beginning of the Church.
2. Acts of the Apostles (Chapters 3-7): Miracles, sermons, and the challenges faced by Peter and other apostles in the early Church.
3. Paul’s Journey (Chapters 8-12): The story of Paul’s conversion, his first journey, and the struggles within the Church.
4. Paul’s Missionary Journeys (Chapters 13-21): Paul’s various missionary journeys, establishment of churches, and different conflicts.
5. Paul’s Arrest and Trial (Chapters 22-28): Paul’s arrest, trial, and the events of his life in Rome.

Structure:

1. Chapters 1-2: The coming of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church in Jerusalem.
2. Chapters 3-7: The works, miracles, and growth of the early Church led by the apostles.
3. Chapters 8-12: Paul’s conversion, early challenges, and the development of the Church.
4. Chapters 13-21: Paul’s missionary journeys and the establishment of churches.
5. Chapters 22-28: Paul’s arrest, trial, and the events of his life in Rome.

Characteristics:

• Role of the Holy Spirit: A key document of the Church’s growth through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
• Leadership of the Apostles: Details the leadership, struggles, and missionary efforts of the early Church.
• Missionary Perspective: A clear picture of the efforts made to spread Christianity and their impact.