Acts 1:1-2 – In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
The author of the book of Acts is Luke. He was often a companion of the Apostle Paul. Evidence seems to point that Luke was a doctor. In Colossians 4:14 Paul confirms that. That is proof enough.
The book of Acts was likely written circa AD 63. Supporting this date is what is not included in Acts, such as 1) What happened after Paul’s Roman Imprisonment? 2) Why didn’t Luke include the burning of Rome and the subsequent persecution of the Christians (AD 64)? 3) The martyrdoms of Peter and Paul? 4) Glaringly missing is He did not record the destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70). It would be inconsistent that if Luke was writing the book after AD 63, perhaps around AD 70 or later, that he would not have included these historical events of the church. The year that this book was written is important. In fact the year all of the NT was written is important. Jesus was crucified and resurrected about AD 33. Paul (Luke’s mentor) was martyred about AD 64. It seems incomprehensible that Luke would not have recorded Pau’s death and also would not have recorded the death of Peter (circa AD 64 and AD 68) if the book was written after their deaths. The date of authorship seems strong at AD 63. The Gospel written by Luke was written shortly before Acts. When historical documents are questioned, the further they are dated from what they are writing about, the more that critics can be skeptical. However, the book of Acts was contemporary to the events making its accuracy much more likely. The book is well acknowledged as historically accurate. The book of Acts is a very reliable document, written by an educated man, and that book was written contemporary to the events he was writing about. Luke’s literary skill was outstanding and is conceded a being so.
The book of Acts is the second book of Luke recording the life, works and continuing ministry of Jesus. The Gospel according to Luke primarily deals with the life and works of Jesus up to His Ascension to Heaven. The book of Acts displays that through Jesus (now in Heaven), His Spirit remained with His church to save, guide and empower them. Jesus had promised He would not leave them alone (John 14:18, Hebrews 13:5). It is a promise that remains for us. The book of Acts could be considered book two of a two part work. It flows naturally.
Acts presents the history of the church during Luke’s life. It gives us powerful defenses that the early church used to defend the Gospel to both the Jews and the Gentiles. It provides a guide to modern believers as we observe how the early church lived in times of both prosperity and persecution. Clearly revealed is that Jesus’ church is not a work of man, not a very clever scheme of men, but the church lives because Jesus lives. It is empowered and protected by Jesus Himself. The church is loved by the Triune God. Family, as the book of Acts displays, and the fact that the church is alive and abounds today (in spite of contrary claims and what seems to be evidence otherwise), it is proof that we belong to the only God and we are safe in His hands! As the Lord told Peter in Matthew 16:18, not even the powers of hell will prevail against His church. When we are going through tough times (because we all do at times) the books of Acts is a reminder that God is our champion and He has never lost, and will never lose, in that spite of the spin of those of the world. Family, we are winners because our God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are winners who cannot be defeated. Though the enemy will shout across the battle lines to us that we are defeated, it is never so. We belong to the Almighty God and we are His beloved. God has declared our victory through Jesus before the enemy ever lived (He is a created being (Ezekiel 28:15). God, who was, who is and who ever more shall be, is our God. Our win is completed, we are just looking for the time we will reap the rewards of living for Christ. We must remember that no matter how dark the day, it is God who leads us out of it into the Light. Through Jesus, are victory is assured, in fact, it already is in place. Praise God who is so good to us! Praise our God who loves and cares for us so! We are winners because our Savior and Lord Jesus has already won. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.