In the previous weeks, I shared some ideas for you to understand better the four Gospels. This week I would like to share about the next book in the New Testament, namely, the Acts of the Apostles. It is often referred to simply as “Acts”. Basically, it tells us about the history of the Christian Church immediately after the Ascension of Jesus Christ.
Luke, the evangelist, who wrote the third Gospel, is said to be the author of the Acts. In the Gospel, he has written about how God fulfilled the salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and in the Acts, he continues to give us the history of the Christianity in the First century. Acts begins with the mission entrusted to the Apostles to spread the Gospel throughout the world (Acts 1:8).
Luke was physician by profession, and he became a disciple of the Apostle Paul. Later he followed Paul throughout his Mission. As the one, who cherished the grace of God, Luke describes thrice about the conversion story of Paul (Acts 9:1-31, 22:6-21 and 26:9-23), including Paul’s missionary work and his imprisonment in Rome.
He was also a historian. It is very evident from the accurate description of the towns, cities and islands and the correct mention of the names of the various Roman officials in the Acts. The archeologists agree to this fact and certify that his statements about the historical accounts are trustworthy.
Next week, I shall share the major historical themes described by Luke in the Acts.
May the Word of God strengthen our faith,
Fr. Arul Joseph V.
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