Facts About Acts

Articles

Michael R. Baggett
04/27/25 - Bible Study

FACTS ABOUT ACTS

Michael R. Baggett

In this short article I'll point out some facts about the book of Acts. Later, I will expand on some of these thoughts.

Acts has 28 chapters. Acts was written by Luke, who also was a doctor (Acts 1:1; Colossians 4:14). Luke travelled with Paul an apostle of Christ (Acts 16:10, 11). We should think of Acts as a continuation of the gospel of Luke. The gospel of Luke tells of the Birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Book of Acts follows the apostles as they begin carrying out the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-20; Luke 24:44-49).

The book of Acts opens with part of how the gospel of Luke ends with the promise to the apostles of Christ receiving power from on high to guide them in the beginning of the preaching of the gospel (Luke 24:49-53; Acts 1:4-14). Jesus told them this power would help them as witnesses (eye witnesses) of Him. This power would consist of having a miraculous memory, foreseeing the future, revealing truth which enables them to speak and write scriptures, and work great miracles and wonders and signs (See John 14:16-18; 14:26; special note: John 15:26-27; 16:7-14). The scriptures just pointed out are paramount to our understanding of the great works of The Holy Spirit through the apostles. The book of Acts follows the apostles, especially Peter and more so Paul, as the Holy Spirit empowers them to preach and confirm the message of the gospel with mighty miracles and signs (Acts 2:43; 3:1-8; Acts 19:11). When Jesus promises them power from on high (The Holy Spirit's guidance), He also outlines the work of the gospel and it unfolds in the book of Acts in the exact order Jesus reveals in Acts 1:8 beginning in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Keep that order in mind as you read through the book of Acts. These are important facts.

Another fact is a new apostle is chosen to replace Judas who betrayed Jesus

(Acts 1:15-26).

Jesus has told the apostles to wait for the power from on high and that power came upon them in Acts 2. The apostles then began to speak in other languages and Peter's first gospel sermon of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is preached in Acts 2. Salvation through Christ is preached. The crowd is pricked in their hearts and about 3000 souls believe, repent and are baptized and added to the Church by the Lord

(Acts 2:36-41; 47).

Acts 2 is the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies as it begins the fulfillment of what Joel spoke in Joel 2:28-32 (Acts 2:16-21). The establishment of the Kingdom is fulfilled as promised by Isaiah in Isaiah 2:1-4, Daniel 2:35; 44; 8:27 and others. Jesus used the language of the Church and Kingdom interchangeably in Matthew 16:18-19 where He promises to build His Church and give the keys to the Kingdom to Peter (See also Matthew 18:18).

Here is a monster fact [meaning hugely important]: references to the Church and Spiritual Kingdom are always stated as in the future before the events of Acts 2; In Acts 2 and from then on, the Church and Spiritual Kingdom are always stated in the present tense as existing (Acts 2:41; 47; 8:1; Colossians 1;13; Revelation 1:9) Acts chapter 2 must be thought of as the hub of the New Testament translating from the Old to the New Testament. This statement cannot be ignored nor understated. What the resurrected Jesus did on the cross makes all of this possible (Colossians 2:11-17;

Hebrews 8:13).

The book of Acts is not there to just fill up space. God gave us the book of Acts to give us inspired commands and examples and inferences into how to come to Jesus to be saved and how to enter His Church/Kingdom (Acts 2:36-38; 41; Acts 20:7, etc.). The book of Acts covers about 30 years of early church history and the works of the apostles as they are guided by the Holy Spirit over twenty-eight chapters. Much of the New Testament was written during this period.

One fact I have found is that if you master the book of Acts in terms of thinking of it in a time line, you will have a much fuller understanding of the writings of Paul the apostle. There is so much background information in Acts to open up the epistles in our spiritual sight and enlighten our understanding.

When you study through your Bible, don't breeze through Acts, but lock down and mine out its riches. You will be rewarded with a better knowledge of the Bible as a whole.