History

New Testament History is one book: Acts. Sequel to Luke, it records the Spirit’s coming after Christ’s ascension and the birth, growth, and spread of the early church. It tells how the gospel went “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8), showing the church’s origin and mission.

Background of writing

• Author and continuity — Luke the physician, who wrote the Gospel, sent Theophilus this second volume (Acts 1:1), continuing the story of the apostles and the church after Jesus’ ascension.
• Date — It covers about thirty years of church history after Christ’s ascension (c. AD 30) and was written c. AD 60–80.
• Historical setting — The Jerusalem church’s beginning, Jews and Gentiles joined, persecution and growth in the Roman Empire, and the missions of Peter (to Jews) and Paul (to Gentiles).

Purpose of writing

• It records Pentecost (Acts 2) and the church’s birth, showing how Christ’s body began and was built.
• “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8)—it witnesses the Great Commission being fulfilled.
• It leaves a pattern of worship, fellowship, witness, and service, so that today’s church may preach the gospel and live in the Spirit.

Read the Acts overview below and tap the card to listen to the expositions.