Purpose
Since the introduction to Acts picks up on the introduction to Luke’s Gospel, we may take the longer preface of Luke’s Gospel as an introduction to both volumes so that Acts is best understood as a continuation of Luke’s aim to provide “certainty” for his Christian readers concerning the things they had been taught (Luke 1:4).2 In Acts, Luke provides assurance for believers, probably because they face persecution, concerning God’s saving rule, in fulfilment of the Scriptures, through the continuing reign of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, as he empowers his people by the Spirit to proclaim the good news of his saving death and resurrection, that Jew and Gentile alike may receive forgiveness of sins through faith in him alone (see comments on 1:1, 6–8; 28:30–31).
Bible Study
Knowing the Bible: Acts
A 12-week Practical Study Series on the Book of Acts from Crossway
Commentary on Acts