Acts of the Apostles

Fifth book of the New Testament, attributed to Luke, which describes the history of the early Christian church.

The book was written in Greek and falls into two parts, the first 12 chapters dealing with the church in Jerusalem and Judaea, with Peter as the central figure, and the second 16 chapters dealing with the church among the Gentiles and the journeys of Paul.

Acts was probably written between AD 63 and 69, since the author records the arrival of Paul in Rome but not his death. This is denied by those who place the Gospel of Luke later than the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, for the Gospel certainly preceded Acts. Archaeology has again and again indicated the careful accuracy of Luke as a historian, even in details of local colour and administration.