Early church narrative · 28 chapters
Acts
The risen Jesus sends witnesses empowered by the Spirit from Jerusalem toward Rome. The spread of the gospel crosses ethnic boundaries amid conflict and suffering.
Historical & literary context
The sequel to Luke, addressed to Theophilus and traditionally attributed to Luke. Set across the eastern Roman world in the first century.
Introduction and study notes are commentary, not Scripture.
The shape of the book
- 1–7 · Witness in Jerusalem
- 8–12 · Judea, Samaria, and Gentile beginnings
- 13–28 · Mission journeys and witness toward Rome
A passage to begin with
Acts 1:8
8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain
Read the full chapterThink it through
What enables the church’s witness to cross familiar boundaries?