The Book of Acts

If the book of Acts had a favorite car, which one would it be? A convertible, of course, because missionaries love them!

Acts was written by Luke and is the second part of a two-volume work. It picks up where the Gospel of Luke ends. Together, these writings cover a period of more than sixty years and comprise more than one-fourth of the New Testament.

Acts records the establishment and expansion of the early church in the first century. We see the Lord’s promise of building that church coming to pass and how it functioned under the apostles. Peter’s work primarily dominates the first half of the book (chs. 1-12) while Paul’s work dominates the latter half (chs. 13-28). Three of Paul’s missionary journeys are also recorded along with his journey to Rome.

I find it interesting that every detailed conversion in the book of Acts mentions baptism. For instance, the Jews on Pentecost were baptized (2:41), the Samaritans were baptized (8:12), Simon was baptized (8:13), the eunuch was baptized (8:38), Saul of Tarsus was baptized (9:18), Cornelius was baptized (10:48), Lydia was baptized (16:15), the jailor was baptized (16:33), Crispus and the Corinthians were baptized (18:8), and the Ephesians were baptized (19:5). Would anyone suggest that baptism being mentioned in every detailed conversion in Acts was mere coincidence? Hardly. Clearly baptism has an important part in the plan of salvation.

Acts is a book of sermons. In fact, about 300 verses are devoted to sermon material. There are ten major discourses recorded, six of which were preached by Paul, three by Peter, and one by Stephen.

Jesus is presented in Acts as vindicated and exalted. He is the risen Savior who sits at the right hand of God waiting to return for final judgment, and we see that the ground is completely level at the foot of His cross!