Acts Introduction

The choice of when we date the book is largely dependent on who we think wrote it. Some critical scholars claim it wasn’t written until AD 125–130, while others date it to AD 80–90. The strongest evidence however dates Acts to the early 60s. The book closes with Paul in prison in Rome (Ac 28:30-31). Given that Luke mentioned several key martyrs in early Christianity, such as Stephen and James, it would be highly unlikely for him to have omitted Paul’s martyrdom, which most likely happened in AD 63 or 64.

Acts was clearly written in a different style than that of the Gospels, and yet it doesn’t fit into the genre of epistle either. How, then, should we classify it? The recounting of various adventures, escapes, and miracles is reminiscent of ancient fictional stories. The scientific details of healings resemble those in scientific treatises. The details about all the people read like a biography. However, the most likely option for the genre of this book is a historical account. Luke recorded eyewitness accounts of real events, real people, and real miracles. It is a vivid account of the power of God at work in the hearts, minds, and lives of the first followers of Christ.