NLT Illustrated Study Bible - Book of Acts - Flipbook - Page 6
1962
The Book of
Acts is . . . a
narrative about
the Triune
God on an
unstoppable
mission to the
ends of the
earth.
WILLIAM J. LARKIN
Acts in Cornerstone
Biblical Commentary,
vol. 12
Christians carried out by Nero
following the fire of Rome
in ad 64; the deaths of Peter
and Paul (about ad 64~65)
and Nero (ad 68); the Jewish
revolt (ad 66); or the destruction of Jerusalem (ad 70). Acts
ends with Paul under house
arrest (ad 60–62). Therefore,
it seems more likely that Luke
wrote Acts before ad 64. Those
who date Acts after ad 70
would answer that Luke omits
these events because they were
not pertinent to his purpose
(see 1:8; 9:15; 28:31).
Recipients
The prime recipient of Luke’s
Gospel and the book of
Acts was Theophilus (Acts
1:1; Luke 1:3), whose name
means “one who loves God.” Theophilus is described
by the title, “most honorable” (Luke 1:3), which is
used elsewhere for Roman governors such as Felix
and Festus (Acts 23:26; 24:23; 26:25). Theophilus
may have been Luke’s patron and benefactor. He was
a Gentile who had received Christian instruction
(Luke 1:4). Luke wanted him and others to have an
accurate understanding of the Christian faith and of
its spread into the Mediterranean world so they could
be “certain of the truth” concerning Christianity
(Luke 1:4).
Literary Characteristics
The material of Acts is presented carefully and accurately (e.g., Acts 11:28; 18:2); this precision has often
AD 35
Passover, AD 30 or 33
Jesus’ crucifixion and
resurrection
Pentecost, AD 30 or 33
The birth of the church
in Jerusalem
(Acts 2:1-47)
AD 33~34
been affirmed by archaeology, geography, and related
studies. Luke has combined historical accuracy and
detail with a gift for vivid and dramatic descriptions
(e.g., 5:1732; 12:117; 14:820; 16:1140; 27:144).
Acts is punctuated by powerful speeches of Peter,
Stephen, James, and Paul (2:1440; 7:253; 15:1321;
22:321). The varied literary styles in Acts fit the cultural settings in a remarkable way. Peter’s sermon on
the day of Pentecost has a strongly Jewish character
(2:1440), while Paul’s preaching before the cultured
Greek philosophers in Athens uses the forms of Greek
oratory (17:2231). These characteristics all support
the historical authenticity of the book.
Chronology of the Apostolic Age
Events in the apostolic age are difficult to date
because few precise statements are made about time.
Many events, however, can be correlated with known
dates in the Roman world.
Events from ad 30 to 50. We know from Roman
sources that Herod Agrippa I died in ad 44 (12:23),
so his execution of the apostle James and imprisonment of Peter (12:217) must have happened before
that date.
The famine prophesied by Agabus befell Judea during the reign of Emperor Claudius (11:2829). When
the church in Antioch sent famine relief to the church
in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were appointed to
carry the money (11:2930). It was Paul’s second trip
to Jerusalem after his conversion. The Jewish historian
Josephus dates the famine between ad 46 and 48.
While Paul was in Corinth on his second missionary journey, Gallio was governor of Achaia (18:12). An
inscription discovered at nearby Delphi indicates that
Gallio’s term was ad 51–52. The incident in 18:1217
probably occurred at the beginning of Gallio’s term.
AD 40
about AD 34
Saul’s conversion
near Damascus
AD 45
AD 50
about AD 47
Barnabas and Paul travel to
Jerusalem (Acts 12:25)
(Acts 9:1-19)
AD 49
Emperor
Claudius
expels Jews
from Rome
AD 47~48
Barnabas and Paul’s first
missionary journey
AD 37~38
Barnabas and
Paul’s first trip
to Jerusalem
(Acts 13:4–14:28)
(Acts 11:27-30)
Saul persecutes
the church of Judea
(Acts 8:1-3)
AD 50
Paul meets
Priscilla
and Aquila
about AD 50
Paul writes
1 Thessalonians
from Corinth
AD 48~49
Paul writes
Galatians
about AD 51
Paul writes
2 Thessalonians
AD 37–44
Herod Agrippa I
rules Palestine
Spring AD 44
Death of
Herod Agrippa I
(Acts 12:20-30)
AD 49~50
AD 46~48
Famine in The council
in Jerusalem
Judea
(Acts 15:1-29)
