The book of Acts — full title, The Acts of the Apostles — is the bridge between the Gospels and the letters of the New Testament. It tells how, in about thirty years, a small group of Jesus' followers in Jerusalem grew into a movement with churches across the Roman Empire.
Who wrote Acts?
Acts was written by Luke, the doctor who also wrote the Gospel of Luke. Both books are addressed to a man named Theophilus (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1). Acts is the second volume of Luke's work: the Gospel tells what Jesus began to do and teach; Acts tells what he continued to do through his Spirit and his church.
In some passages Luke writes "we" (for example, Acts 16:10), showing that he travelled with Paul and was an eyewitness of some events.
The key verse
Before his ascension, Jesus told his disciples:
"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." (Acts 1:8, KJV)
This verse is a map of the whole book — the gospel spreads outward in widening circles.
The structure of Acts
| Chapters | Where | Main figures |
|---|---|---|
| 1–7 | Jerusalem | Peter, John, Stephen |
| 8–12 | Judea and Samaria | Philip, Peter, the conversion of Saul (Paul) |
| 13–28 | To the ends of the earth | Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy |
Key events
- The ascension of Jesus (chapter 1).
- Pentecost (chapter 2): the Holy Spirit comes upon the believers; Peter preaches and about three thousand people believe.
- The life of the first church (2:42–47): teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer and generous sharing.
- Persecution and the martyrdom of Stephen (chapter 7).
- The conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus (chapter 9) — the persecutor becomes the apostle Paul.
- Cornelius, a Roman centurion, receives the Holy Spirit (chapter 10), showing that the gospel is for Gentiles as well as Jews.
- The Council of Jerusalem (chapter 15) decides that Gentile believers do not need to follow the whole Jewish law to be saved.
- Paul's missionary journeys (chapters 13–21) through Cyprus, Asia Minor (modern Turkey) and Greece.
- Paul's arrest and journey to Rome (chapters 21–28), including a dramatic shipwreck. The book ends with Paul in Rome, preaching "with all confidence, no man forbidding him" (28:31).
Themes of Acts
- The Holy Spirit empowers ordinary believers to speak boldly and live differently.
- The gospel is for all nations — Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles alike.
- Opposition cannot stop God's work — persecution often spreads the message further.
- Prayer and community are at the heart of church life.
- Bold witness — the apostles keep speaking about Jesus despite threats.
Acts and the New Testament letters
Many of Paul's letters were written to churches whose founding is described in Acts — Philippi (Acts 16), Thessalonica (Acts 17), Corinth (Acts 18) and Ephesus (Acts 19). Reading Acts first gives you the background for understanding the letters. See the New Testament letters explained.
Lessons for the church today
Acts reminds churches — in India and everywhere — that the gospel crosses boundaries of language, culture and caste; that every believer can be a witness; and that God's Spirit is still at work. Many churches look to Acts 2:42 as a simple picture of healthy church life: teaching, fellowship, the Lord's Supper and prayer.
Reading tip
Read Acts with a map open — following Paul's journeys makes the story vivid. A Bible atlas is a wonderful companion.
Continue with the four Gospels or the geography of Bible lands.