Can you comment on Acts?
Introduction. The New Testament is often divided into five sections: The gospels, Acts, Paul's epistles, the general epistles, and Revelation. Acts is the history book of the New Testament. Instead of "The Acts of the Apostles," a name given by man, a better name perhaps would be, "Some of the Acts of Some of the Apostles." The book of Acts covers an important 30 year span of history, from the Lord's ascension to Paul's imprisonment in Rome. Luke is believed to have been the author of Acts (Acts 1: 1, 2; cf. Luke 1: 1-4).
The Lord's church is revealed in Acts. Jesus promised to build His church (Matt. 16: 18). In Acts 2 we read of the church becoming a reality. About three thousand heard and obeyed the gospel (Peter's "keys of the Kingdom," Matt. 16: 19; Acts 2: 14-47). The growth and problems experienced by the early church are also mentioned (Acts 5: 1-11, 14, etc.). Local churches are seen in Acts as being autonomous or self-governing as opposed to a denominational, super-structure organization. There is no centralized oversight or governing body. Elders were appointed in each local church, when possible (Acts 14: 23; cf. Tit. 1: 5-11; 1 Tim. 3: 1-7).
Acts records Paul's travels and how people became Christians. Acts is usually divided into two sections: Peter and his preaching efforts (2-12), and Paul's efforts (13-28). Paul's three preaching trips, "missionary journeys," are recorded in Acts (Acts 13: 3-14; 15: 36-18: 22; 18: 23-21: 15). On Paul's first trip alone, he traveled about 1200 miles during the approximate two and one half year endeavor and established about seven local churches. Acts 2, 8, 9, 10, 16, and 18 contain good examples of people becoming Christians (see Acts 11: 26). A serious study of Acts is requisite to the restoration of pristine Christianity today.
The Lord's church is revealed in Acts. Jesus promised to build His church (Matt. 16: 18). In Acts 2 we read of the church becoming a reality. About three thousand heard and obeyed the gospel (Peter's "keys of the Kingdom," Matt. 16: 19; Acts 2: 14-47). The growth and problems experienced by the early church are also mentioned (Acts 5: 1-11, 14, etc.). Local churches are seen in Acts as being autonomous or self-governing as opposed to a denominational, super-structure organization. There is no centralized oversight or governing body. Elders were appointed in each local church, when possible (Acts 14: 23; cf. Tit. 1: 5-11; 1 Tim. 3: 1-7).
Acts records Paul's travels and how people became Christians. Acts is usually divided into two sections: Peter and his preaching efforts (2-12), and Paul's efforts (13-28). Paul's three preaching trips, "missionary journeys," are recorded in Acts (Acts 13: 3-14; 15: 36-18: 22; 18: 23-21: 15). On Paul's first trip alone, he traveled about 1200 miles during the approximate two and one half year endeavor and established about seven local churches. Acts 2, 8, 9, 10, 16, and 18 contain good examples of people becoming Christians (see Acts 11: 26). A serious study of Acts is requisite to the restoration of pristine Christianity today.