New Testament
The Acts of the Apostles
The second volume of Luke's work · from Jerusalem to Rome
Acts tells how the Jesus movement grew from a small Jerusalem community into a Spirit-led mission across the Roman empire, ending — pointedly — with Paul preaching in Rome.
Half the book follows Peter and the earliest church; the second half follows Paul and the Gentile mission.
Period
Events span c. 30–62 CE; composition c. 80–90 CE (with earlier dates argued by those who see Acts ending mid-story because Paul's trial is still pending).
Themes
- The Spirit poured out at Pentecost
- Witness from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth
- Gentile inclusion and the Jerusalem council
- Suffering and joy in mission
- The unstoppable word of God
Traditional Authorship
Church tradition since Irenaeus attributes Acts to Luke, Paul's travelling companion and physician (Colossians 4:14), continuing his Gospel and dedicating both volumes to Theophilus. The 'we' passages (Acts 16, 20–21, 27–28) are read as first-hand travel notes.
Modern Scholarly Proposals
Critical scholarship largely accepts a Lukan author — that is, the same author as the Third Gospel — but debates how closely that author knew Paul. Some read the 'we' passages as a source used by the author rather than personal memory; others treat Luke as a genuine companion writing decades after the events.
The Books
1 bookClick any title to open it in the reader at chapter 1.
- Acts28 ch
c. 60–63 CE per traditional conservative dating (before Paul's martyrdom; or c. 80–90 CE in critical consensus).
The Spirit drives the church from Jerusalem to Rome. Half Peter, half Paul, and all mission.