Background to the Acts of the Apostles

We have recently started a sermon series on the Acts of the Apostles. There is some background information that is helpful but doesn’t necessarily fit in a sermon.

Acts is the sequel to the Gospel of Luke and was written by the same author. Although they are separated by the Gospel of John in our New Testament, they really flow together.

Luke is the only Gentile (non-Jewish) author in the Bible. Luke also wrote more of the New Testament than any other author–including the Apostle Paul. Some parts of Acts change the pronoun to “we” which may mean those were the events that Luke participated in.

Acts is meant to show what happened after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The story of Jesus didn’t end with the removal of Jesus from Earth. His story continues through the life of his followers.

The book is called the “Acts of the Apostles” but it doesn’t really cover the entire twelve apostles and some of the major figures are not apostles.

Acts gives some of the ministry experiences of two deacons: Stephen and Philip (not to be confused with the apostle of the same name) and two apostles: Peter and Paul.

Acts begins with Jesus’ command to go to the ends of the Earth and it ends with Paul’s arrival in Rome.