BACHELOR THEOLOGICAL

SUMMER 2024

INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

Summary – Class 4

Prof. Leidmar Lopes

Student: Patricia E.M.G de Freitas

Introduction to the book of Acts

06/18/2024
 In today's introduction to the book of Acts, it was possible to note how important it is to

study this book, in order for us to begin understanding the history and ministry of the church, we

needed the continuation of the Gospel through the disciples, which is in the book of Acts.

The title of the book has been debated for centuries, and scholars agree that the author,

likely Luke, did not give it a specific name. Some early church fathers called it the Acts of the

Apostles, while others referred to it as the Acts of the Holy Apostles.

Luke also wrote the Gospel of Luke and is considered the author of Acts. Both books

were addressed to who was most likely a noble Christian, Theophilus, to provide a more detailed

understanding of the Christian origins, including Jesus' life, death and resurrection, and the

church's development. Luke, who was a physician and very close friend of Paul, wrote about the

early church's history and the acts of the Holy Spirit through Peter and Paul.

The purpose of Acts is to explain to Theophilus how the Gospel, initially promised to

restore the Kingdom of Israel, expanded to include Gentiles. Acts focuses on the acts of the Holy

Spirit through the apostles, showing how the Gospel spread from Jerusalem to Rome. The book

highlights the rejection of the Gospel by the Jewish leaders and its acceptance by the Gentiles. It

also talks about the treatment of the early church by local and Roman authorities.

The beginning of the church, how each disciple and apostle were used by the Holy Spirit

and the development of christianity is recorded by Luke in the book of Acts. It also helps us

understand the importance of how Christianity began and the role of the Holy Spirit in the

growing of the church and its expansion.

There is also an apologetic purpose in the book, which is a disciplinary defense of the

faith, and in addition to that, Acts demonstrates the extension of the Gospel to non-Jews, the

Gentiles.