The Book of Acts, also known as The Acts of the Apostles, is the fifth book of the New Testament. Written by Luke—the same man who authored the Gospel of Luke—Acts serves as a continuation of that Gospel. While the Gospel of Luke records what Jesus began to do and teach, the Book of Acts tells us what Jesus continued to do through His apostles by the power of the Holy Spirit.
“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.”
— Acts 1:1
Luke was a Gentile, a physician, and a traveling companion of the apostle Paul. He is the only Gentile writer of Scripture; all other biblical authors were Jewish. Acts was written around A.D. 60–69 and, like the Gospel of Luke, it was addressed to a man named Theophilus. Some scholars believe Theophilus may have been Luke’s patron, as even educated men like physicians could be slaves of wealthy individuals. Others suggest that “Theophilus”—which means “lover of God”—could be a symbolic name, representing any person who loves God.
The Book of Acts contains 28 chapters, records approximately 30 miracles, and covers a period of roughly 31 years—from the ascension of Jesus to Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. Because the Holy Spirit is mentioned 57 times in its pages, I believe this book could rightly be called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles.” The Holy Spirit is the true driving force behind everything that happens in Acts.
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. God is one, yet He exists in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is not merely a force or power—He is a real Person, possessing a mind, a will, and emotions.
“For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 2:11 — He has a mind.
“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:11 — He has a will.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
— Ephesians 4:30 — He has emotions.
The Holy Spirit is co-eternal and co-equal with God the Father and God the Son. He has always existed and was active even in creation:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”
— Genesis 1:1–2
The Trinity is further revealed in:
“For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.”
— 1 John 5:7
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon certain individuals to empower them for God’s work. In the New Testament, however, He dwells within all believers.
The Church in Acts
The Church is a central theme in the Book of Acts. The word “church” appears 20 times in the text. The Greek term is ekklesia, which means “the called-out ones.” These are people who have been called out of the world to live for God and to shine His light in a dark world.
Why Study Acts?
Acts is not just a historical account—it is a living story of the gospel in motion. It records the miracles, bold preaching, and unstoppable work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of ordinary people. As we read Acts, we see a Church that faces opposition yet grows, a Savior who empowers ordinary believers to do extraordinary things, and a mission that cannot be contained.