NEW TESTAMENT
ACTS SECOND PART
What is the book of Acts about in the Bible? Watch as we explain its major themes and gain a deeper understanding of its place in the biblical story.
​
Who Wrote the Book of Acts?
Christian tradition holds that this book, also called the Acts of the Apostles, was written by the physician and historian named Luke.
Context:
The events described in Acts take place in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the surrounding occupied lands of the Greco-Roman empire as well as Asia minor during the 1st century between 30-60 CE. Acts was likely composed between 60 and 90 C.E.
Curiosities of the Book of Acts:
Literary Styles:
The book of Acts is written in narrative.
Key Themes:
-
The power of the Holy Spirit given to human beings.
-
Jesus’ ongoing mission to Israel and the nations after his departure.
-
The self-giving faithfulness of the early Church.
Structure:
Acts is divided into five parts. Acts 1 details Jesus’ commission. 2-7 focus on the arrival of the Spirit and birth of the Church. 8-12 describe life within the Jesus movement. 13-20 recount the mission of the Church. And 21-28 end with Paul’s arrest.
Reflect:
​
Explore the second half of the book of Acts, where we see how the multiethnic church grew through missionary journeys across the ancient world.
After you've watched the video, take some time to reflect on these questions.
​
-
After watching this video, how does it broaden your understanding of the book of Acts?
-
What are the main points you take away today after watching the second half of the book?
-
How important were the missionary journeys for the growth of the multiethnic church?
Go Deeper:
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to empower his disciples as they carry the good news of his Kingdom to the nations of the world. Jesus’ followers were filled with the presence of their God, which sustained and encouraged them as they faced persecution, and even death, on their mission to spread the Jesus movement throughout the ancient world. Despite the many challenges they faced, the first international, multietchnic church at Antioch was established. This church sent missionaries throughout the ancient world to preach about Jesus the risen Messiah.
​
The Birth of the Church
The book of Acts is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, following Jesus’ followers as they are given the power of God's Spirit and tasked with spreading the good news of God's Kingdom to the ancient world. This is the beginning of the international, multiethnic Church.
