Background of the Book of ACTS:

1. Who: Luke, a Gentile Physician who “writes with the compassion and warmth of a family doctor.” The “we” portions of Acts (16:1-17; 20:5-21:18, 27:1-28:16) subtly reveal that Luke was a traveling companion of Paul. Luke was with Paul during both of his Roman imprisonments as Paul’s “beloved physician” (Col. 4:14, Philemon 24, 2 Tim. 4:11), evidence of Luke’s loyalty even in the face of personal danger. Luke is the only Gentile contributor to the New Testament. Church tradition tells us that Luke was from Syrian Antioch, remained unmarried, and died at 84 years old.

2. When: Luke likely wrote during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, during the mid-to-late 60s. Luke’s abrupt ending that ends with Paul awaiting trial in Rome leads many to believe it was completed prior to Paul’s trial (AD 62). In addition, it gives no hint of the persecution under Nero (64), Paul’s death (68) or the destruction of Jerusalem (70).

1. Whom: Luke’s carefully written gospel was presented to “the most excellent Theophilus” (“friend of God”). The title indicates that he was a man of high social standing and likely was a man of means who paid the cost of publishing Luke/Acts so they would be available throughout the Gentile world.

4. What: Historical Narrative, as Luke begins where he left off in his gospel. The combined “2 volume set” of Luke and Acts makes up 28% of the entire New Testament, which makes Luke the most prolific author (2,138 verses to Paul’s 2,033). Luke writes in the most refined Greek in the New Testament. Acts traces the rapid expansion of the gospel, beginning in Jerusalem and spreading throughout the Roman Empire.

Without Acts, the epistles would be difficult to understand, and the early history of the church would be a vague patchwork. Luke uses over 700 words not found in the other 25 NT books. He includes 80 geographical references and his precision in citing locations that was once challenged has now been verified by archaeological evidence. Luke also records 24 sermons and speeches in its 28 chapters.

5. WHY: “The Acts of the Holy Spirit” through the apostles traces the development of the body of Christ over its pivotal early years, from a primarily Jewish to predominately Gentile membership.