Acts of the Apostles

The book of Acts is an important book for understanding the actions of the apostles, mostly Paul and Peter, after Jesus's ascension into Heaven. It helps us understand how we can be directed by the Holy Spirit and the role of Jesus' lessons in our lives. This is the story of Christianity's beginnings and how evangelism played a role in the spread of faith around the world.

Who Wrote the Book of Acts?

It is widely believed that the book of Acts is the second volume in Luke's gospel. The first volume describes Jesus' story while he was here on earth.  In Acts, we learn more of how Jesus’ disciples were influenced and directed by his teachings after his resurrection.   Luke, most likely, was a highly educated Gentile. He was a physician who was believed to either be a very close friend to Paul or even Paul's doctor.

What Is the Purpose of the Book of Acts?

There seem to be several purposes of Acts. Like the gospels, it presents a historical account of the church's beginnings. It describes the founding of the church, and it puts an emphasis on evangelism as seen in the expansion of the church.

The Book of Acts also goes into principles of living. It describes persecutions and specific situations that we even face today as we evangelize and live our lives in Christ. It gives examples of how Jesus' promises came to fruition and how the disciples faced persecution and hardships head on. Luke describes the great devotion of the disciples to Jesus.

Without the Book of Acts, we would be looking at a far shorter New Testament.  The two books of the Gospel according to Luke and Acts make up a quarter of the New Testament. The book also provides a bridge between the gospels and the epistles by providing a contextual reference for the letters that follow.

Source: https://www.learnreligions.com/