Acts begins with a reference to an earlier writing: “The former treatise have I made, 0 Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day that he was taken up…” (Acts 1:1-2). The “former treatise” referred to is the Gospel of Luke which begins: “For as much as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us which…were eyewitness, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus…” (Luke 1:1-3). For a Gentile who was not one of the original disciples, Luke had taken on a difficult task. Sources other than his own were needed for his gospel and much of Acts. Only when Luke was in Paul’s company was he able to give a first-hand account of the events. This does not occur until Paul’s second missionary journey around A.D. 50.
We can tell when he was with Paul by Luke’s use of the pronouns “we” and “us” in the narrative (e.g. Acts 16:10,16; 20:14; 21:5 etc.). Luke’s first-hand experiences of the apostles’ acts thus began at Troas. Here Paul and his company were diverted from Bithynia and called to Europe in a night vision (16:8-10). Two verses in Paul’s epistles verify that Luke was his fellow traveler (II Tim. 4:11; Phil. 24).
Testable accuracy
Luke’s two books are widely noted as providing a remarkably accurate account of the Roman world of his times. Luke uses proper terms for the people and places he describes. Governors, magistrates and the like are given their correct official title in the original Greek text.1 For example, the governors of Cyprus and Achaia are called “proconsel,” which is the proper Roman title for provincial governors (Acts 13:7; 18:12 RSV; the KJV gives “deputy.”) Other examples of titles occur in Acts 17:6,8 and 28:16). Surprisingly, even when Luke calls Publius “the chief man of the island” he is using an official title as confirmed by Greek and Latin inscriptions of the day.
Luke is also an objective writer and mentions both failures and successes. He reports the discord that arose between Paul and Barnabas over Mark (15:38,39) and even acknowledges divisions and differences in the brotherhood (6:1; 15:2,39; 21:20-21). Luke’s account is scrupulously objective, just like the rest of scripture.
Importance of Acts
Had Luke not written his second treatise to Theophilus, we would know little of how the good news of Christ’s resurrection spread. In less than 30 years, Christianity spread from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and then to the uttermost bounds of the empire.
Although Paul’s epistles provide occasional details of this history, these allusions leave us needing the more complete account provided in Acts. Throughout the book, seven summary verses outline the rapid progress of the gospel (2:47; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20; 28:31). And sufficient background material is provided to illuminate the epistles.
Right perspective on the Messiah
Before the birth of Jesus, Jewish citizens were expecting their coming Messiah to be a conquering hero who would overthrow their enemies and set up God’s kingdom. Although Jesus often reminded the disciples that he first must die and be raised from the dead, even they turned deaf ears to this teaching. Peter was the most vocal, even rebuking Christ on one occasion for talking in such a manner (Matt. 16:22).
There was thus need for a clear presentation, demonstrating from the scriptures that the death, resurrection and ascension of the Messiah was clearly revealed in advance. The first extended exposition of these matters occurred in Peter’s speech at Pentecost, which is recorded in some detail by Luke.
Peter at Pentecost
Great physical demonstrations accompanied the giving of Holy Spirit gifts to the Jerusalem band of believers. Then the apostles began to preach the gospel in a wide variety of foreign languages.
In the crowd, a few men accused the apostles of drunkenness. Peter counters their claim explaining they had been visited by the Holy Spirit, quoting Joel for support (Joel 2:28). A quotation from Psalm quickly follows. Since David was both dead and buried, and his sepulchre was visible in the distance, the Psalmist could not have been speaking of himself when he said: “…thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (Psa. 16:10). Immediately many in the crowd would recall the rumors they had heard of the empty tomb and Jesus would come to mind.
Only 10 days had elapsed since Jesus had last been seen. The disciples had seen him ascend into heaven (Acts 1:9). Was he gone for good? No, says Peter, for the Psalmist says: “Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Psa. 110:1) According to Peter’s exposition of the Psalm, Jesus was just where God had revealed in advance he would be.
Many respond
The scriptures Peter quoted explained many things. Thousands of Jews were baptized that day as “they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (2:41).
Determined witnesses
One verse sums up the attitude of the apostles and shows their courage and renewed belief in their Master. When the apostles were commanded by Jewish authorities not to teach in Jesus’ name, Peter made this reply on their behalf: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (5:39). Every step of the way they had to choose between two courses of action. Their right choices advanced the gospel as Jesus had commanded (Acts 1:8).
While the book provides essential information, it is not a complete record and ends abruptly with much still to be done: “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him” (Acts. 28:30,31).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One