Introduction

In this paper, the presenter will discuss the topic of The Theology of Acts. The Book of
Acts shows pictures of the early church working hard to grow up and serve the true God. The
Book of Acts commonly used are The Acts of Apostles.
1. The Background
The author of the Acts is the same Authorship of the Gospel of Luke. The Gospel of Luke
(Luke 1:3) addresses Theophilus and the same addresses are mentioned in the book of Acts (Acts
1:1). These two verses give strong evidence of the authorship of Luke and Acts. Luke is the
authorship of the gospel of Luke and The book of Acts, who traveled with the apostles Paul. The
epistles of Acts were written in 63 AD when Paul was in custody in prison of the Roman
Empire.1 In the first the author gave no title to this book any more than he gave a title to the
gospel, but later the church writers named this book “Acts”.2 The Book of Acts, sometimes called
the fifth gospel is a continuation of the gospel of Luke and its records the history of the church’s
rising in the early time.
2. The purpose
The purpose of writing this, through this book Luke is to provide an account of the
original and development of the church carried forward the gospel under the power and guidance
of the Holy Spirit.3 Although the title “Acts of the Apostles” suggests that the book's purpose is
to provide an account of the Apostle’s acts, the name was added to the work later.
It is possible to interpret Luke's description of the spread of Christianity as a defense of
the faith. The apologetic effort appears to be directed in two directions: countering Jewish
criticism of Christianity and presenting Christianity favorably to the Roman world. Romans and
Jews had both denigrated Christianity. Luke demonstrates how Judaism served as the foundation
for Christianity and how it followed its historical course.4
According to Acts, the transition from Jewish to Gentile Christianity was comparatively
straightforward, and the Roman government was shown to view Christian theology favorably.

1
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology: Revised and Expanded (Secunderabad: Good Shepherd
Books, 2022), 95.
2
Raymond E. Brown, An Introduction to The New Testament (Bangalore: Theological Publication, 2019),
279.
3
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology: Revised and Expanded…, 95.
4
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology: Revised and Expanded…, 95.

1
The Book of Acts also reveals the Apostolic authority and power of Paul is equal to Peter’s
authority and power.5
3. The Theology of Acts
The early church is purportedly depicted historically in the Book of Acts from its
inception in Jerusalem through Paul's arrival in Rome. A portrait of the life and preaching of the
early church in Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and unto the remotest parts of the world was
painted by Luke, the acknowledged author of this significant book (Acts 1:8).6
Luke theologizes on Peter, Stephen, Philip, and Paul's sermons and deeds as he reports on
the progress of the gospel mission. The relationship between theology and history is prominent
among the themes in the study of Acts. Although it is not our main concern, we must address this
important problem to explore Luke's theology of the Spirit, Christ, and salvation, and Church and
Eschatology.7
3.1. God
Sovereignty God, Luke explain that The death of Christ is a result that God
foreknowledge and the decree of God which means His “Counsel is rigid and predefined. Both
expressions emphasize the decree's firm and unwavering determination.” The apostles found
comfort in God's omnipotence despite persecution (Acts 4:24–31). Acts 4:24 uses the Greek
word despota, from which the English word despot is derived, to refer to God as Lord. God had
already laid out or decided the events leading up to the cross.8
God Election is another example of God's omnipotence (Acts 13:48). The person or thing
assigned eternal life. believed.+ accurate
The existence of God and ordinary grace. Paul reminded his listeners that He is their
Creator and has given them rain and fruitful seasons when he proclaimed the "living God" to
them at Lystra (Acts 14:15–18). In Acts 17:22–31, Paul also reminded the Athenians that God
had created them, given them life, and established their seasons and boundaries.
3.2. Christ

5
Kirsopp Lake, “The Theology of the Acts of the Apostles” The American Journal of Theology, Vol. 19, No.
4 (Oct., 1915), https://www.jstor.org/stable/3155608 (18 August 2023)
6
David Thomas, Acts of The Apostles: Expository and Homiletical (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publication,
1980), 25.
7
David S. Dockery, The Theology of Acts (Nashville: Boardman Press, 1990), 43.
8
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology…, 96.

2
 In the Book of Act Luke’s focus on Christ is twofold: he focuses on His crucifixion and
death, and another one is His resurrection
3.2.1. Crucifixion and Death of Christ
Regarding the death of Christ the apostles' criticism of the Jews for Christ's crucifixion is
evident in many of the declarations made about his death. Christ was horribly executed by
crucifixion (Acts 2:23, 3:15, 5:30, 10:39, 13:28–29). Christ was nailed on a cross by godless
men. The Righteous One was killed (Acts 7:52)9
3.2.2. Resurrection of Christ
Regarding the resurrection of Christ many themes emphasis:
i. His resurrection was predicted in the book of Psalm 16:8-11 and fulfilled in
Psalm 2:7. (Acts 2:22-32, 13: 33-37)
ii. With great power, the resurrection of Christ was announced. (Acts 4:2, 10, 33)
iii. 8God elevated Christ to a position of authority in addition to raising him.
(Acts 5:31)
iv. Christ resurrection was attended by witness (Acts 10:40-41)
v. The resurrection of Christ is a signal of future judgment (Acts 17:31)
vi. The resurrection of Christ was to be show the Jew and Gentiles in fulfillment
of prophecy (Acts 26:23).
3.2.3. Return of Christ
Jesus Christ was dead and after three days arose again and He spent forty days instructing
His disciple (Acts 1:3-8). The Angel promised that the Christ ascension to the heaven, in just the
same way Christ would return as the apostles see him to go Heaven – visible, physical, and
personal (Acts 1:9-11). In the sane thing Peter announce the millennial age of the period of
restoration o all thing (Acts 3:21).10
3.3. Holy Spirit
3.3.1. His deity
Acts 5:3-5 contains a key assertion about the Godhead of the Holy Spirit. Peter
confronted Ananias and said that he had lied to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3). However, Peter also
said, “You have not lied to men, but to God” (Acts 5:4), equating the two Holy Spirit and God.
3.3.2. His work
9
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology…, 96.
10
Raymond E. Brown, An Introduction to The New Testament…, 282.

3
 The Holy Spirit is edifying the church by baptizing believers into the body of Christ
(Acts 1:5; 11:15-16). The Spirit is also active in empowering Christians for ministry and witness
(Acts 8:26-30; 10:19; 11:19; 16:7; 20:23; 21:4, 11), as well as in filling them for public witness
(Acts 1:8, 2:4, 4:31, 5:32, and 9:17).11
3.4. Salvation
3.4.1. Trough faith in Christ
Acts 10:43 places an emphasis on faith. Gentiles do not have to first convert to Jews in
order to receive forgiveness and salvation; instead, they can do so by simply believing (Acts
11:21; 14:23; 16:31).
3.4.2. Trough Repentance
The preachers of the gospel persuaded the people to trust in Christ on various times,
while also urging them to repent on other occasions (Acts 2:38, 3:19, 5:31; 8:22, 11:18, 17:30,
20:21, 26:20). This suggests that the terms should be viewed as interchangeable. in Acts 20:21,
According to Paul’s remark “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ”
repentance and faith are intertwined. Repentance is a prerequisite for having faith; faith is not
attainable without it.
3.4.3. Through the grace of God
Paul assisted people who had believed “through grace” when he arrived in Achaia (Acts
18:27). In this verse, God showed His grace to Lydia (Acts 16:14) and others (Acts 13:48) in the
course of time, resolving a conflict that existed before time begun.
3.4.4. Apart from any works
The Jerusalem Council decided in Acts 15 that in order to be saved, Gentiles did not need
to be circumcised or follow the law of Moses. They were only saved via faith.12
3.5. Church
The book of Acts can be divided by tree section of Church. First, the formation of the
church (chp 1-7), second, the transition of the Church (chp 8-12), and the last, the expansion of
the Church (chp 13-29).
3.5.1. Formation of the Church

11
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology…, 97.
12
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology…, 98.

4
 In the formation of the church recorded the first days the ascension of the Christ, who is
the head of the Church and dissension of the spirit by whom the church is born on the day of
Pentecost.13 After that come the expansion of the church.
As believers are welcomed into the body of Christ by the baptizing operation of the
Spirit, the church is constituted (1 Cor. 12:13). The baptizing work is still future in Acts 1:5,
suggesting that the church has not yet been established. Peter explained in Acts 11:15–16 how
the Gentiles experienced the same kind of outpouring of the Spirit that the Jews did “at the
beginning.” The beginning of the church and the work of the Holy Spirit in baptism believers
into the body of Christ is marked by Acts 2. In addition to Jews and Samaritans, Gentiles (Acts
10:44–48; 19:6) and Gentiles (Acts 8:14–17) participated in this singular work of the Holy
Spirit.14
3.5.2. Transition of the Church
The church undergoes a transformation (chapter 8-12). The church's future ministry is
indicated by three conversions (8:1–11:18). The eunuch, an Ethiopian, was converted first. He
was the son of Ham (chapter 8). The Tarsian Saul, a son of Shem, was the next to be converted
(chap. 9). Cornelius, an Italian, finally accepted Christianity. He was Japheth's son (chapter 10).
As a result, the Gospel's universality-embracing every race-was symbolized.15
3.5.3. Expansion of church
Two persecutions followed the three conversions (chaps. 11–12). The first occurred due
to Stephen in chapter 11 and the second due to Peter in chapter 12. The saying, “The blood of the
martyrs is the seed of the church” has been proven true throughout church history because it
results in the significant growth of the church in the last portion.16
Conclusion
Through this paper, we have learned that the book of Acts is only one history Book in the
New Testament, and how the church grew through the effort of the apostles. Also, we learn that
in early Christian times, there was much persecution, but the apostles didn’t give up, because
they truly believed in Christ, through Christ everyone will get Salvation.

13
Norman L. Geisler, A Popular Survey of The New Testament (Secunderabad: Good Shepherd Books,
2019), 115.
14
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology…, 98.
15
Norman L. Geisler, A Popular Survey of The New Testament…, 115.
16
Norman L. Geisler, A Popular Survey of The New Testament…, 115.

5
Bibliography
Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to The New Testament. Bangalore: Theological Publication,
2019.
Dockery, David S. The Theology of Acts. Nashville: Boardman Press, 1990.
Enns, Paul. The Moody Handbook of Theology: Revised and Expanded. Secunderabad: Good
Shepherd Books, 2022.
Geisler, Norman L. A Popular Survey of The New Testament. Secunderabad: Good Shepherd
Books, 2019.
Thomas, David. Acts of The Apostles: Expository and Homiletical. Grand Rapids: Kregel
Publication, 1980.

Webliography

Lake, Kirsopp. “The Theology of the Acts of the Apostles” The American Journal of Theology,
Vol. 19, No. 4 (Oct., 1915), https://www.jstor.org/stable/3155608 (18 August 2023)