Timeline Tuesday: The Acts of the Apostles

source: clipartchristiansunite.com

Early next week we will begin reading two new books on the same day: Numbers in the Old Testament and Acts in the New Testament. We'll discuss Numbers next week. Today let's look at a brief preview of the Acts of the Apostles.

Luke, the beloved physician, was the author of two New Testament books, Luke and Acts.When we have finished our reading of the Gospel According to Luke later this week we will have completed all 4 gospel accounts. We'll transition from Luke's first book into his second, both of which were addressed to the same man by the name of Theophilus. Luke's first book, the gospel account, was written about the acts of Jesus. His second book was written to tell of the acts of the apostles following Jesus' Ascension.

As far as chronology, Acts most probably was not one of the earliest New Testament books written, but I have made it the historical skeleton upon which to hang the epistles that follow. I find that having the reading of the epistles inserted into its framework helps me study the background within the context better. I hope it will help you as well but be forewarned that we will be jumping about a bit in our New Testament study! We will not actually finish reading the book until the last week of June.

The book of Acts was probably written before several important events including the Fall of Jerusalem in AD 70; the death by martyrdom of James, the half-brother of Jesus and the pastor of the church at Jerusalem, in AD 62 (according to Josephus); and the death of the Apostle Paul but it encompasses several years, including the missionary journeys.