The Acts of the Apostles
Acts is the first written document on church history. It is penned by Luke the doctor, likely one of the seventy-two mentioned in Luke 10:1. If the four gospels shows the laying of the foundation, Acts shows the constructing of the superstructure. In particular, the book of Acts manifests the breaking down of the dividing wall of hostility (Eph. 2:14) and the inclusion of the Gentiles (Rom. 9:24-29). Acts is partitioned into three sections: the witness in Jerusalem (ch. 1-7), the witness in Judea and Samaria (ch. 8-12) and the witness to the ends of the earth (ch. 13-28).
The book of Acts picks up where the gospels end. After rising from the grave, Jesus appears to the apostles for forty days and promises them the Holy Spirit. Before his ascension, Jesus commands the Eleven to remain in Jerusalem (1:4). The witness in Jerusalem is initiated by the coming of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost, where divided tongues of fire rest on the apostles, enabling them to speak in tongues (2:9-11). Peter preaches a sermon, interpreting Old Testament prophecies (Joel 2:28-32, Ps. 16:8-11, Ps. 110:1), whereby three thousand are converted (2:41). Later, Peter and John heal a lame beggar (3:1-10), followed by a sermon ending with a call to repentance (3:11-26). The apostles face opposition from the religious leaders in Jerusalem, leading to threats (4:18, 5:28) and imprisonments (4:3, 5:18). In response, Peter boldly defies the religious leader's injunction, proclaiming he desires to obey God rather than man (4:19, 5:29). Despite persecution, the apostles rejoice they are counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus (5:41). The witness in Jerusalem culminates in the stoning of Stephen (7:54-60).
Stephen's martyrdom scatters the church throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria (8:1). Philip proclaims the gospel in Samaria (8:1-7) and evangelizes an Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-40). Saul is converted on the road to Damascus (9:1-19) and is received by the apostles (9:26-28). Peter preaches the gospel in Lydda and Joppa which are cities of Samaria (9:32-43). Peter visits Cornelius in Caesarea (another city in Samaria) to explain the gospel, leading to the conversion of Cornelius and his entire household (10:34-43). Remarkably, the Holy Spirit falls upon those Gentiles who hear the word (10:44-48), demonstrating God's acceptance of the Gentiles in the New Covenant church. Initially, the circumcision party criticizes Peter for dining with uncircumcised men (11:2). However, after Peter relays his vision and the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles, his critics recognize God's plan to grant Gentiles repentance and salvation (11:18). The apostles experience further persecution as the gospel spreads throughout Judea and Samaria. Herod the king kills James and imprisons Peter (12:1-3), but an angel rescues Peter from prison and the believers rejoice (12:6-17).
As for the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth, Paul and Barnabas are selected by the Holy Spirit to evangelize the world (13:1-3). Repeatedly, Paul is persecuted by both Jews and Gentiles, suffering unjustly for the cause of the gospel. He is stoned at Lystra (14:19), imprisoned in Philippi (16:16-24), chased out of Thessalonica (17:10) and Berea (17:14), caught up in a violent riot in Ephesus (19:21-41), arrested in the temple in Jerusalem (21:27-36), tried before the Jews (22:30-23:1-10), almost assassinated (23:12-22), tried before Felix the Governer (24:1-21), tried before Agrippa (25:13-26:1-32), and shipwrecked (27:39-44). Despite all these trials, Paul maintains his singular passion of finishing the ministry he received from the Lord Jesus - to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (20:24). Paul also encounters positive reception to the gospel: the proconsul believes in Paphos (13:12); those in Antioch in Pisidia receive the gospel with great eagerness (13:44,48-49); Lydia (16:11-15) and the Philippian jailer (16:25-34) are converted; many in Thessalonica believe (17:4), the Bereans receive the word with eagerness (17:11); some in Athens believe (17:34); many Corinthians believe and are baptized (18:8); and disciples in Ephesus are baptized with the Holy Spirit (19:1-10). The final episode of Acts relates Paul's confrontations with the Roman elite. In particular, he is given the opportunity to testify before Felix the governor (24:1-21), Festus the governor (25:1-12), and King Agrippa (ch. 26). Paul appeals to Caesar during his trial with Festus (25:11) and embarks on a journey to Rome. Enduring a storm (27:13-38) and a shipwreck (27:39-44), Paul finally arrives in Rome. Acts concludes with Paul under house arrest, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance (28:30).
In short, Acts provides a glimpse into the development of the early church. Ultimately, believing is a work of God in the hearts of sinners (2:47, 13:48, John 6:29). Therefore, the gospel message flourishes in cities which God chooses to bless and falls on deaf ears in cities which God chooses to harden. Indeed, this is also true for the modern church. Thus, all evangelistic endeavors must wholly depend upon the sovereign grace and operation of the Triune God.