Acts
The spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome, the second volume of Luke–Acts.
What the sources say, and how sure we are
- The text says
Acts follows Jesus’ promise to his followers to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Some sections use “we,” as if the author were travelling with Paul.Acts 1:8; Acts 16:10–17; Acts 20:5–21:18; Acts 27:1–28:16
- Outside evidence
An inscription from Delphi names Gallio as proconsul of Achaia, which dates his term to about AD 51–52 and fixes Paul’s time in Corinth in Acts 18. A Thessalonian inscription uses the title “politarch” that Acts uses for the city’s officials.Gallio Inscription, Delphi; Acts 18:12; Acts 17:6
- Debated
Acts ends with Paul under house arrest in Rome without telling the outcome. Some scholars take that as a sign it was written about AD 62. Others date it to the 80s or later. Scholars also debate how Acts and Paul’s own letters fit together, for example on Paul’s visits to Jerusalem.Acts 28:30–31; Gal 1–2; Acts 15
- Christian conclusion
Christians read Acts as the church’s account of the Spirit leading the early church’s mission to all nations.Acts 2:1–4; Acts 13:2
Where this book happens
- Canaan & Israelchapters 1–12, Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria · Acts 1:8
- Mediterranean Worldchapters 13–28, Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome · Acts 13:4; Acts 28:16
- Neighboring Nationschapter 9, Damascus · Acts 9:3
- Italychapters 27–28, the voyage to Italy and Rome · Acts 27:1
- Judeachapters 1–12 · Acts 1:8
- Samariachapter 8 · Acts 8:1
- Syria (Roman province)chapters 11–15, the church at Antioch · Acts 15:23