The Storyline of Acts

Excerpts from Peter and Paul’s writings:

Acts is the story of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in the full operation and demonstration in His followers. He was in the midst of them demonstrating the divine rule and blessing of God among men. The book of Acts begins with Jesus giving last minute instructions about His Kingdom, and it ends with Paul teaching the same things. God is trying to tell us a great truth-this book is the revelation of what The Kingdom looks like in this age lived out by ordinary men and women.

Acts is the only book in the New Testament written specifically as history. It takes up the narrative where the gospel of Luke ends, and gives the history of God’s Kingdom life in the early church. Based on Biblical events and timelines, we believe Acts began with Peter’s writings around 30 AD. His writings, in chapters 1-12, reflect the story of the Jewish church and Peter’s apostolic leadership and ministry in a very Jewish context. The birth of the Gentile church in around AD 40’s, began Paul's writings that reflect the story of the Gentile church and Paul’s apostolic leadership and ministry in a gentile world.

Peter and the Jewish Church: Acts 1-12

Paul and the Gentile Church: Acts 13-28

We find that these two authors, along with the words of Jesus himself in the beginning of Acts, lay out a great framework and context for God’s heart for His Church and how it should operate.

Questions to consider:

When you think of the Kingdom of God as revealed in the Book of Acts, what traits come to your mind of how these early believers lived?

What made their lives different from yours and mine?