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Summary of Acts of the Apostles

Written sometime between 75 A.D. and 90 A.D. Acts of the Apostles is unique. As volume two of Luke’s writings, Acts is the only New Testament book that continues the story of Jesus into the story of the early church, providing the framework for understanding Luke’s interpretation of church.

Because it is the second volume of a two-volume work, Acts does not stand alone. It presupposes Luke’s gospel, which remains incomplete without it. For example, the gospel insists that Jesus is a “light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32a), that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6), and that “repentance, for the forgiveness of sins would be preached in his (the Messiah’s) name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). Yet, at the gospel’s end, none of these things have happened. So, we need volume two. Acts takes up where the gospel leaves off and proceeds to demonstrate the continuity between the life and ministry of Jesus and the life and ministry of the church. Luke, writing more as a pastoral leader than a pure historian, selects and emphasizes events in the life of the early church that he thinks best exemplify the Christian way of following Jesus as seen in the lives of the earliest Christians. Early church leaders do not only serve as models of Christian discipleship, their lives and deaths also often parallel the life and death of Jesus as portrayed in Luke’s gospel (e.g., Acts 3:1–10; 5:12–16; 6:8—7:60; 9:32–43).

The source of the overall movement in Acts can be found in the words of Jesus to his apostles prior to his ascension, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The reader can trace the growth and expansion of the early church according to this commission by Jesus. The early chapters focus on the church’s mission, first in Jerusalem, then throughout Judea and Samaria. In chapter 10, the church officially opens up to the Gentiles with the baptism of the household of Cornelius and the household’s subsequent receiving of the Holy Spirit. Chapters 13–28 chronicle the journeys of St. Paul as he boldly carries out the mission given him by the risen Lord to be “a light to the Gentiles, that you (Paul) may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47). Acts concludes with Paul’s proclamation of Christianity in Rome, considered by Luke to be the “ends of earth” spoken of by Jesus.

In his portrait of the early church Luke develops some very important themes. First, in the speeches of church leaders that make up roughly one third of Acts, Luke shares his understanding of church and in three strategically placed summary statements (Acts 2:42–47; 4:32–37; 5:12–16) he affirms his ideal view of the Christian community. Second, as the church grows and opens up geographically, it also must open up in terms of seriously considering what it means for Judaism to break out into Christianity and into the Gentile world. As the community grew, the church encountered new situations that had to be managed resulting in new ministries and a new structuring of the community (e.g., Acts 6:1–6). Third, Luke was convinced that the main reason why the church made triumphal strides throughout the world in spite of the many obstacles it faced was because of the Holy Spirit. Underlying all events was the plan of God against which no human plots could prevail (e.g., Acts 5:17–42). In fact, in Acts all major decisions and actions of the early church were responses to the initiative and direction of the Holy Spirit.

During the 30–35 years between Jesus’ ascension and Paul’s preaching in Rome events occurred that brought about great changes. The Christian stage changed from Palestine to the Roman empire and the Christian movement grew from a small cluster of Jewish believers in Jerusalem to a worldwide missionary effort. We can thank Luke for sharing with us in Acts the essentials of how these changes happened.

Questions for Reflection—Acts of the Apostles

  1. Pentecost originally was as an Israelite thanksgiving feast at the end of the grain  harvest. In later tradition it commemorated God’s giving the law to the Israelites at  Mount Sinai. What do you think is the significance of the coming of the Holy Spirit during the celebration of this feast (Acts 2)?

  2. Based on Luke’s three summary statements (Acts 2:42–47; 4:32–37; 5:12–16), what are the characteristics of the early church? How realistic is this ideal portrayal of the church today?   

  3. Within the tradition of the church, Acts of the Apostles 6:1–6 has been considered the origin of the diaconate. Why do the twelve decide to appoint seven individuals to serve at table? What criteria are used in the selection of these individuals? What is the function of deacons in the church today?

  4. To show that the life and ministry of Jesus is continued in the life and ministry of the church, Luke often parallels the life of early church leaders with the life of Jesus. What parallels do you find between the death of Jesus as described in Luke’s  gospel (Luke 22–23) and the death of Stephen (Acts 6:8—7:60)?

  5. The role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church is very important to Luke. Identify two passages in Acts 1–12 in which the growth and expansion of the church is under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Where do you perceive the influence of the Holy Spirit in your parish today?

  6. One of Luke’s principal themes is the inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian community. Keeping this theme in mind, what seems to be the pattern of Paul’s missionary activity as it unfolds in Acts 13?

  7.  A significant issue in Acts is what is required of Gentiles who want to become Christians. In Acts 15:19–21, 28–29, James seems to be applying requirements taken from Old Testament rules for alien sojourners (Lev 17–18). Why do you think James wants to impose these requirements? Do you think Gentile Christians are still bound by these requirements? Why or why not?

  8.  What is said in Paul’s farewell speech to the elders of Ephesus (Acts 20:17–38) that you feel would be helpful to pastors of Christian communities today?

  9.  How would you characterize Luke’s portrait of Paul? What is there about the personality of Paul and his background that made him a great choice to be the Lord’s apostle to the Gentiles?

10. Luke paints a triumphal picture of church in Acts. The church exists as part of  God’s plan, is empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit, and all opposition to it  is doomed to failure (e.g., Acts 5:17–42). Do you think that this is a viable view of the church today? Can you say with utter confidence that the church always acts in accord with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and will never fall/fail?

Summary and Reflection Questions offered by
Mr. Gene Giuliano, M.A.
Gene Giuliano is an instructor for the Catholic Biblical School at the University of Dallas School of Ministry. He has over 30 years experience in Adult Faith Formation and currently teaches deacon formation classes for the dioceses of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Tyler, and scripture classes using The Catholic Biblical School Program, which he co-authored for Paulist Press. There currently are more than 600 adults participating in this program both onsite in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and online. Information about The Catholic Biblical School Program can be found at www.udallas.edu/ministry. Gene is also the author of the introductions to the twelve Minor Prophets in the St. Mary's Press College Study Bible. He has given numerous workshops on biblical topics in parishes and at diocesan conferences and welcomes invitations to speak.