Preface
The fifth book of the New Testament has been known from ancient
times as The Acts of the Apostles; but this title cannot be found in
the book itself. One of the earliest manuscripts, the Codex Sinaiticus,
gives as the title the simple word Acts, with no mention of the apostles.
There is a reason for this. Acts was intended to be more than a brief
history of the service rendered by the twelve disciples, much more
than the principal events in the lifework of its four leading characters,
Peter, James, John, and Paul.
The book of the Acts was written by “the beloved physician,”
Luke, a Gentile convert, for the whole church, Jews and Gentiles alike.
While it covers a period of a little more than three decades, it is filled
with important lessons for the church in every age. In the book of the
Acts God clearly indicates that the Christian today shall experience
the presence of the same Spirit who came with power at Pentecost and
fanned the gospel message into a flame. The acts of the Holy Spirit
through Peter and Paul, John and James, and others, can be repeated
in the modern disciple.
The abruptness with which the book of Acts closes is not acciden-
tal; it deliberately suggests that the thrilling narrative is unfinished,
and that the acts of God through the Spirit are to have their sequel
throughout the Christian dispensation—each successive generation
adding a chapter full of beauty and power to the one that preceded
it. The acts recorded in this remarkable book are in the truest sense
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the acts of the Spirit, for in apostolic times it was the Holy Ghost
who appeared as the counselor and helper of the Christian leaders. At
Pentecost the praying disciples were filled with the Spirit and preached
the gospel with power. The seven men chosen as deacons were “full of
the holy ghost and wisdom.”
Acts 6:3
. It was the Holy Spirit who led
in the ordination of Saul (
Acts 9:17
); in the acceptance of Gentiles into
church fellowship (
Acts 10:44-47
); in the separation of Barnabas and
Saul for missionary work (
Acts 13:2-4
); in the Council of Jerusalem
(
Acts 15:28
); and in Paul’s missionary journeys (
Acts 16:6, 7
). An-
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