2. No outcome of Paul's trial. If Luke knew the outcome of the trial Paul was waiting for (see 28:30), why did he not record it at the close of Acts? Perhaps it was because he had brought the history up to date. Those who prefer the later date hold that 1:8 (see note there) reveals one of the purposes of the destruction of Jerusalem (70) was not pertinent.This would allow for the writing and cultural center. On this understanding, mention of the martyrdom of Paul (c. A.D. 67) and Luke had in writing his history, and that this purpose influenced the way the book ended. Luke wanted to show how the church penetrated the world of his day in ever-widening circles (Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the ends of the earth) until it reached Rome, the world's Political of Acts c. 70 or even later. 

Recipient

    The recipient of the book,Theophilus, is the same person addressed in the first volume, the Gospel of Luke (see Introduction to Luke: Recipient and Purpose). 

Importance The book of Acts provides a bridge for the writings of the NT. As a second volume to Luke's Gospel, it joins what Jesus "began to do and to teach" (1:1; see note there) as told in the Gospels with what he continued to do and teach through the apostles' preaching and the establishment of the church. Besides linking the Gospel narratives on the one hand and the apostolic letters on the other, it supplies an account of the life of Paul from which we can learn the setting for his letters. Geographically its story spans the lands between Jerusalem, where the church began, and Rome, the political center of the empire. Historically it recounts the first 30 years of the church. It is also a bridge that ties the church in its beginning with each succeeding age. This book may be studied to gain an understanding of the principles that ought to govern the church of any age.

Theme and Purpose

    The theme of the work is best summarized in 1:8 (see note there). It was ordinary procedure for a historian at this time to begin a second volume by summarizing the first volume and indicating the contents anticipated in his second volume. Luke summarized his first volume in 1:1-3; the theme of his second volume is presented in the words of Jesus:"You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (1:8). This is, in effect, an outline of the book of Acts (see Plan and Outline below).

    The main purposes of the book appear to be:

    1. To present a history. The significance of Acts as a historical account of Christian origins cannot be overestimated. It tells of the founding of the church, the spread of the gospel, the beginnings of congregations, and evangelistic efforts in the apostolic pattern. One of the unique aspects of Christianity is its firm historical foundation. The life and teachings of Jesus Christ are established in the four Gospel narratives, and the book of Acts provides a coordinated account of the beginning and spread of the church as the result of the work of the risen Lord and the Holy Spirit through the apostles.

    2. To give a defense. One finds embedded in Acts a record of Christian defenses made to both Jews (e.g., 4:8-12) and Gentiles (e.g., 25:8-11), with the underlying purpose of conversion. It shows how the early church coped with pagan and Jewish thought, the Roman government and Hellenistic society. 

    Luke may have written this work as Paul awaited trial in Rome. If his case came to court, of ts what better court brief could Paul have had than a life of Jesus, a history of the beginnings of S' the church (including the activity of Paul) and an Party collection of Paul's letters?

    3. To provide a guide. Luke had no way of knowing how long the church would continue on this earth, but as long as it pursues its course, the book of Acts will be one of its major guides. in Acts we see basic principles being applied to specific situations in the context of problems it ' and persecutions. These same principles continue to be applicable until Christ returns.         

    4. To depict the triumph of Christianity in the face of bitter persecution. The success of the church in carrying the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome and in planting focal churches across the Roman empire demonstrated that Christianity was not a merely human work. lt triumphed under the rule of the exalted Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Characteristics

    1. Accurate historical detail. Every page of Acts notification with sharp, precise details, to the delight of the historian; The account covers a period of about 30 years and reaches across the lands from Jerusalem to Rome. Luke's description of these times and places is filled with all kinds of people and cultures, a variety of governmental administrations, court scenes in Caesarea, and dramatic events involving such centers as Antioch, Ephesus, Athens, Corinth and Rome. Barbarian country districts and Jewish centers are included as well. Yet in each in-, stance archaeological findings reveal that Luke uses the proper terms for the time and place being described. Hostile criticism has not succeeded in disproving the detailed accuracy of Luke's political and geographical designations (see chart, p. 2230, and maps and archaeological notes scattered throughout the book).

    2. Literary excellence. Not only does Luke have a large vocabulary compared with other NT writers, but he also uses these words in literary styles that fit the cultural settings of the events he is recording. At times he employs good, classical Greek; at other times the Palestinian Aramaic of the first century shows through his expressions.This is an indication of Luke's careful practice of using language appropriate to the time and place being described. Aramaisms are "., used when Luke is describing happenings that took place in the Holy Land (chs. 1-12). When, However, Paul departs for Hellenistic lands beyond the territories where Aramaic-speaking people live, Aramaisms cease.

    3. Dramatic description. Luke's skillful use of speeches contributes to the drama of his narrative. Not only are they carefully spaced and well balanced between Peter and Paul, but the speeches of a number of other individuals add variety and vividness to the account (see 5 below). Luke's use of details brings the action to life. Nowhere in ancient literature is there an ac-count of a shipwreck superior to Luke's with its nautical details (ch. 27). The book is vivid and fast-moving throughout.

   4. Objective account, Luke's careful arrangement of material need not detract from the accuracy of his record. He demonstrates the objectivity of his account by recording the failures well as the successes, the had as well as the good, in the early church. Not only is the dis-c content between the Grecian Jews and the Hebraic Jews recorded (see 6:1 and note) but also discord between Paul and Barnabas (see 15:39 and note). Divisions and differences are recognized (15:2; 21:20-21)

    5.Effective use of speeches. One of the distinguishing features of the book of Acts is its speeches.They may be classified as follows: (1) evangelistic—two types: to Jews and God-fear-es (2:14-40; 3:12-26; 4:8-12; 5:29-32; 10:34-43; 13:16-41), to pagans (17:22-31); (2) deliberative (1:16-17,20-22; 15:7-11,13-21); (3) apologetic (7:2-52; 22:1-21; 23:1-6; 24:10-21; 25:8,10; 26:2-23; 28:17-20,21-22,25-28); (4) hortatory (20:18-35).

    The speeches are obviously not verbatim reports; any of them can be read in a few minutes. We know, eg., that Paul at times could be a long-winded preacher (see 20:7,9; 28:23). However, studies of these speeches (speakers, audiences, circumstances, language and style of writing) give us reason to believe that they are accurate summaries of what was actually said.  

How to read Acts

    After his death Jesus’ ministry continued in the life of the early church and continues today through the lives of his people. Acts is the story of those early believers, who sought to apply what it meant to live out the missional teaching of Jesus in their day through the power of the Holy Spirit. Their story is our encouragement: despite difficulties, the church can survive and even thrive. Transformation, revival, and church growth come, not through human effort alone, but in partnership with the Holy Spirit.

    Thirty years of history are covered, yet every page abounds with precise details and dramatic descriptions. The opening chapters tell how the church began to be multiplied, through the presence and the power of the Spirit. Dynamic growth happened as the gospel broke down age-old cultural walls between Jews and Gentiles. The church then expanded its witness geographically far beyond Jerusalem. Peter and Paul are the key characters in these stories: Peter as an anchor for Jewish believers in Jerusalem, and Paul striking out into new lands as the church’s first great missionary to the Gentiles.

    We have inherited the promise and the mandate Jesus first entrusted to these believers. The same Holy Spirit so active in Acts is still at work in our story today, so let us draw on the zeal and faith of our earliest brothers and sisters. It is now our turn to be his witnesses “to the uttermost parts of the earth” (Act 1:8).

Acts Interpretation Challenges

Because Acts is primarily a historical narrative, not a theological treatise like Romans or Hebrews, it contains relatively few interpretive challenges. Those that exist mainly concern the the book’s transitional nature and involve the role of signs and wonders.  

Outline