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Acts of the Apostles
c. AD 80–90 (by Luke)· Book of the Bible· Books & writings
Mostly agreed by scholarsMost historians agree; some details uncertain.
Luke's sequel to his Gospel, telling how Jesus's followers spread the faith from Jerusalem to Rome in about 30 years.
See it on the Bible & Christianity map →What it is
Acts opens with Jesus ascending to heaven (Acts 1), then Pentecost (Acts 2). Peter leads the Jerusalem church; Stephen becomes the first martyr (Acts 7); Saul, a persecutor, is converted on the Damascus road (Acts 9). A council in Jerusalem rules that non-Jewish converts need not be circumcised (Acts 15). The second half follows Paul and ends with him under house arrest in Rome, around AD 62. Its plan is Acts 1:8: 'Jerusalem... Judea and Samaria... the ends of the earth.'
Why it matters
It is the only narrative of the church's first generation, showing how a Jewish movement opened itself to all nations.
Sources and history
Inscriptions confirm details: one at Delphi dates Gallio's governorship, and so Paul's stay in Corinth (Acts 18:12), to about AD 51; the title 'politarchs' (Acts 17:6) is attested at Thessalonica. Some accounts differ from Paul's own letters.
Questions and debates
Its date (60s, 80s or even 110s) and author are debated; tradition names Luke, Paul's companion, partly because of the 'we' passages.
Connections (3)
▸Paul's missionary journeys are told in Acts of the ApostlesMostly agreed by scholars
The connection
Acts 13–28 is the main record of Paul's travels: Cyprus and central Turkey (chapters 13–14), then Philippi, Thessalonica, Athens and Corinth, then Ephesus, then arrest in Jerusalem and shipwreck on Malta before Rome. From Acts 16:10 the story switches to 'we', suggesting the author traveled with Paul for parts.
When and where
Written about AD 80–90, describing events of about 46–60 across Roman Asia Minor, Macedonia and Greece.
How do we know?
Paul's own letters (Galatians, Corinthians, Romans) confirm many places and names; the Gallio inscription at Delphi dates his Corinth stay to about 51.
Questions and debates
Acts and the letters sometimes disagree, for example on Paul's visits to Jerusalem (Galatians 1–2 versus Acts 9, 11, 15); whether 'we' signals an eyewitness is debated.
▸Acts of the Apostles narrates Pentecost: the Holy Spirit and the first churchMostly agreed by scholars
The connection
Acts 2 is the only account of Pentecost: the sound of wind, tongues of fire, the disciples speaking in other languages, Peter's sermon, and about 3,000 baptized (2:41). Acts frames it as fulfilling Jesus's promise of the Spirit (1:8) and the prophet Joel, and as the launch of everything that follows.
When and where
Jerusalem, at the Jewish harvest feast of Shavuot (Weeks), around AD 30 or 33; told by Acts about 50 years later.
How do we know?
Acts is the sole source. Paul's letters independently confirm early 'speaking in tongues' (1 Corinthians 14) and a Jerusalem church led by Peter and James.
Questions and debates
Whether 3,000 is a literal count, and whether 'other tongues' meant real foreign languages or ecstatic speech, are debated.
▸Acts of the Apostles is the sequel to Luke, one of The four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)Mostly agreed by scholars
The connection
Both Luke and Acts are addressed to one 'Theophilus' (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1), and Acts begins by recalling 'the first book' about Jesus. Luke ends with the Ascension; Acts opens by retelling it. Together 'Luke–Acts' makes up about 27% of the New Testament, more than any other author's work.
When and where
Written about AD 80–90, place unknown; tradition credits Luke, a physician and companion of Paul (Colossians 4:14).
How do we know?
The shared dedication, style, vocabulary and themes convince nearly all scholars of one author; Irenaeus (c. 180) already credits both to Luke.
Questions and debates
Who Theophilus was (a patron, or any 'friend of God'), and why the canon separated the two books with John's Gospel, are open questions.