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AUTHOR: The author of Acts of the Apostles is not identified by name, but the common dedication, interests, language unit and style, leave no doubt that the authorship of the book is Luke, the physician and companion of the apostle Paul. Luke had many personal contacts with the apostles and other witnesses to the Gospel story, this, added to his Greek cultural background and his intellectual preparation, enabled him to write a credible Gospel and this book. The near-classical Koyne Greek demonstrates that both books were written by a single author. The common dedication and interests and the unity of language and style remove all doubt.
THEME: The book provides an accurate account of the birth of the Christian Church and the proclamation of the Gospel to the Gentiles and the world, according to the command of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit [ Acts 1: 8]. It also reports on Paul's important ministry after he was converted and the proclamation of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem, Palestine and Samaria to Asia Minor and Europe.
RECIPIENT: It was particularly dedicated to a certain Theophilus [ LC 1:3 - "I myself investigated everything carefully from the beginning, and decided to write- an orderly account, O most excellent Theophilus," ] and [ AT 1:1 - "In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote concerning all what Jesus began to do and teach," ] and addressed to the Roman governors of Judea [ AT 23:26 - "Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent Governor Felix, Greetings." ], [ AT 24:3 - "In everything and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we recognize these benefits with deep gratitude ." ] and [ AT 26:25 - "Paul answered, "I am not mad, most excellent Festus. What I am saying is true and common sense." ].
COMPILATION: This book was probably written between 64 and 70 AD. It consists of 28 chapters and 1007 verses.
CHRONOLOGY (ESTIMATED) | |
AD 14-37 | Tiberius Caesar becomes Emperor of Rome |
A.D. 30 to 35 | Pentecost, the early Church in Jerusalem |
A.D. 35 to 47 | The Church grows in Judea and Samaria |
37 to 41 AD | Caligula becomes Emperor of Rome |
37 to 44 AD | Herod Agrippa I Rules Judea |
AD 41 to 54 | Claudius becomes Roman Emperor |
44 AD | James, son of Zebedee is martyred |
AD 47-49 | Paul's first missionary journey |
AD 50 to 53 | Paul's second missionary journey |
AD 52 to 60 | Felix becomes procurator of Judea |
AD 53-57 | Paul's Third Missionary Journey |
54 to 68 AD | Nero becomes Emperor of Rome |
AD 60 to 62 | Festus becomes procurator of Judea |
AD 60 to 62 | Paul is placed under house arrest in the city of Rome |
THE MIGHTY WORKS OF PAUL | |
Acts 14:8-18 | He healed a man paralyzed from birth |
Acts 19:11-12 | Her handkerchiefs and aprons were believed to heal people |
Acts 13:6-11 | He rebuked Elymas the sorcerer |
Acts 20:9-12 | He raised Eutychus |
Acts 28:7-9 | he healed the father of Publius and others (Malta) |