Acts
About this date: Dates are broad scholarly estimates of composition or final editing, not dates of the events narrated. Traditional attributions and scholarly assessments can differ.
Acts continues Luke's narrative with the Spirit's coming, the Jerusalem community, mission beyond Judea, and Paul's journey toward Rome. Its speeches, summary scenes, and travel accounts are different literary forms. The book ends with Paul preaching in Rome without narrating the outcome of his case.
Key points
- Acts 1:8 gives a geographic and theological frame for witness.
- The Jerusalem council in Acts 15 concerns Gentile inclusion and should be read with Galatians without assuming the accounts are identical.
- Acts shows multiple agents of mission, including Peter, Stephen, Philip, Barnabas, and Paul.
Scripture
- Acts 1:1-11 — The opening connects the book to the earlier account and commissions witness.
- Acts 2:1-47 — Pentecost and a community summary introduce major themes.
- Acts 15:1-35 — A dispute over Gentile circumcision is addressed by apostles and elders.
- Acts 28:16-31 — The open ending portrays Paul's witness in Rome.
Primary sources
Acts requires someone to:
In its opening narrative, Acts states that one must become 'with us' a witness to Jesus' resurrection.
become with us a witness to his resurrection
Passage context and translation
In Acts, Peter states a criterion for the person who will take Judas's place among the Twelve: accompaniment from John's baptism through the ascension and witness to the resurrection.
Before the excerpt
beginning from the baptism of John