📖 Biblical Definition
The fifth book of the New Testament, written by Luke the physician as the sequel to his Gospel (Acts 1:1). Acts covers approximately thirty years (AD 30-62) of the early church, from Christ's ascension and Pentecost through the Jerusalem church, the persecution and dispersion, the Antioch sending, the three Pauline missionary journeys, and Paul's final voyage to Rome. The book's structure follows Acts 1:8 — Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
ACTS, n.
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A scriptural proper name; the fifth book of the New Testament.
📖 Key Scripture
Acts 1:8 — "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Acts 2:42 — "They continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
Acts 4:12 — "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Acts 17:6 — "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often reads Acts for nostalgia; the book is a manual.
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Modern Christianity often reads Acts for nostalgia — oh, if only the church today were like the early church! Acts is not nostalgia; it is a manual. The patterns of evangelism, persecution, multiplication, leadership development, missionary sending, doctrinal disputes, and Spirit-led decision-making in Acts are not a closed historical chapter; they are the operating norm for a church on mission until Christ returns.
Read Acts for instruction. Note how the apostles preached the gospel; how the church gathered; how disputes were resolved (Acts 15); how missionary teams formed; how saints suffered and rejoiced. The Holy Spirit who animated the early church animates the same church today; the book of Acts has not closed.
Usage
"Modern Christianity reads Acts for nostalgia; the book is a manual."
"The patterns of Acts are operating norms until Christ returns."
"The Holy Spirit who animated the early church animates the same church today; Acts has not closed."