Acts Commentary

The book of Acts serves as a remarkable sequel to the Gospel of Luke, written by Luke, a companion of the Apostle Paul. Composed around AD 61-64, Acts chronicles the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem throughout the Roman Empire. It begins with Jesus’s ascension and continues with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, highlighting the faithful commitment of the disciples in sharing the message of salvation. Luke addresses a man named Theophilus at the outset, creating a direct connection between the accounts in his Gospel and these further developments in the early Church.

The narrative focuses on the growth of the Christian community in Jerusalem, before persecution forces believers to scatter. As they travel, they carry the good news with them, fulfilling Jesus’s final words: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Figures such as Stephen, the first recorded Christian martyr, courageously testify to Jesus’s resurrection, while Philip shares the gospel in Samaria and beyond. The conversion of Saul, later known as Paul, marks a critical turning point, as he becomes a driving force in proclaiming the message of Christ to the Gentiles.

Geographically, the events of Acts move from Jerusalem—a major religious and cultural hub during the first century—to prominent cities of the ancient world. Antioch in Syria, located near the Orontes River, emerges as a center for missionary activity, growing into a thriving population and one of the earliest communities where believers are called “Christians.” Luke traces Paul’s journeys across Asia Minor and into Macedonia and Greece, culminating in his voyage to Rome, the capital of the empire. During Paul’s later travels, the Roman Emperor Claudius (AD 41-54) and Emperor Nero (AD 54-68) reigned, setting an authoritative backdrop as the Christian faith began to flourish despite political and social challenges.

Throughout Acts, readers witness the bold sermons of men like Peter and Paul, miracles affirming the power of the Holy Spirit, and councils that clarify the relationship between Jewish law and faith in Jesus. Although Acts concludes with Paul under house arrest in Rome, the momentum of the gospel continues to spread, fulfilling Jesus’s words and connecting believers across diverse cultures. By blending eyewitness detail and firsthand accounts, Luke emphasizes that this unfolding story of salvation is guided and sustained by God, offering hope and purpose to all who seek Him.