ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

OT/NT: New Testament

SECTION: Acts (1 of 1)

TRADITIONAL AUTHOR: Luke

KEY PEOPLE: Apollos, Barnabas, James, John, Lydia, Paul, Peter, Silas, Stephen, Timothy.

SUMMARY: Canonically, Acts of the Apostles is the 44th book of the Holy Bible (1) and the 5th book of the New Testament (2). The first half of this single book offers accounts of the early years of the Christian movement from various points of view while the second half follows the missionary journeys of one remarkable person, Paul of Tarsus (3). When Jesus Christ (4) supernaturally transforms Paul from His most wicked persecutor to His greatest ambassador, it shows that God can and will use anyone to advance His plan and purpose.

Before Jesus was taken into Heaven where He was enthroned to share God's rule over the world, He instructed His followers to be a witness (5) for Him. The book of Acts details their witness. On Pentecost (6), Jesus' followers received the Holy Spirit (7) and became supernaturally equipped to spread His good news that would restore God's kingdom throughout the world.

Through persecution, the believers were scattered. They continued to preach, and the church at Antioch was born. It grew into the first multiethnic, international church from which missionaries were sent throughout the world to preach about Jesus, the messianic Messiah (8) and risen King of all nations. Paul even continued to preach despite imprisonment and wrote important letters (9) to the churches.

COMING UP: Next up is the Book of Romans (10). Click HERE to explore!

FOOTNOTES:

  (1) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-good-news

  (2) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/new-testament

  (3) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/ambassador-in-chains

  (4) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-christ

  (5) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/called-to-evangelize

  (6) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/pentecost

  (7) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-holy-spirit

  (8) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-the-messiah

  (9) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/letters-of-paul

(10) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/romans

PAGE SOURCES:

  (a) https://thebibleproject.com/explore/acts/