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{{quote Infobox_Contents | texttopic_name ={{web_verseThe Book of Acts |acts|1|1}} subtopics = Events: [[Pentecost]], [[Acts (WEB)|Full Text of ActsJerusalem Council]]}}* Teaching: [[Kerygma]]''Synopsis* People:'' The Acts of the [[Apostles is the a book of the ]] ([[New TestamentApostle Peter|Peter]] that describes the formation of the early , [[churchApostle Paul|Paul]] and spread of ), [[ChristianityCornelius]]. It was written by the | opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} * [[apostle LukeActs of the Apostles (EBD)|Easton's Bible Dictionary entry on the Acts of the Apostles]].| }}

'''Read [[Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary]] on the [[Text:MHC Concise {{bookstudiesSUBPAGENAME}}|{{SUBPAGENAME}}]]'''

[[Acts of the Apostles (EBD)|Easton's Bible Dictionary entry on the Acts of the Apostles]] ==Main article==  The Book of Acts, written by the [[apostle Luke]], is the account of early followers of [[Christ]] who, obedient to the [[Great Commission]], began to spread the [[good news]] of a risen Savior throughout the known world. Each section of the book (1-7; 8-12; 13-28) focuses on a particular audience, a key personality, and a significant phase in the expansion of the gospel message. While the apostles are mentioned collectively at several points, this book really records the acts of Peter (1-12) and of Paul (13-28). Some have called the book the "Acts of the Holy Spirit".

The major theme in Acts is the spread of the gospel. [[Acts 1:8]] sets the scene of for the whole book.: ''{{web_verseBible verse|acts|1|8|lang=WEB}}''

This The results of this empowerment can be seen with the gospel spreading to the Jews throughout Jerusalem and Judea in Acts 1-7, to Samaritans in [[Acts 8]] and to the Gentiles throughout the "rest of the world" in Acts 9-18.

Acts records a number of speeches given by early Christians. In these These speeches, combine the proclamation of the gospel is proclaimed introducing to introduce the hearers to Jesus, and appealing an appeal for them to believe and become his followers. The content of these initial proclamations is sometimes referred to as [[Kerygma]] (from the [[Koine Greek]] word [[κηρυγμα]] - related to [[κηρυσσω]]).  In total, Acts records 16 speeches, 8 by [[apostle Paul|Paul]], 7 by [[apostle Peter|Peter]] and 1 by [[Stephen]]

Peter's speechs* To Jews - [[Acts 2]]:14-39, [[Acts 3]]:13-26, [[Acts 4]]:10-12In total, [[Acts 5]]:30-32* To God-fearers - [[Acts 10]]:34-43, [[Acts 11]]:5-17* To believers - [[Acts 15]]records 16 speeches:7-11

# Peter's 7 speechs#* To Jews - [[Acts 2]]:14-39, [[Acts 3]]:13-26, [[Acts 4]]:10-12, [[Acts 5]]:30-32#* To God-fearers - [[Acts 10]]:34-43, [[Acts 11]]:5-17#* To believers - [[Acts 15]]:7-11# Stephen'd s speech - [[Acts 7]]:2-53 # Paul's 8 speeches#* To Jews - [[Acts 13]]:16-41, [[Acts 22]]:1-21, [[Acts 24]]:10-21, [[Acts 26]]:1-27, [[Acts 28]]:17-20, 25-28#* To pagans - [[Acts 14]]:15-17, [[Acts 17]]:2-31#* To believers - [[Acts 20]]:18-35

After the [[resurrection of Jesus]] the early church initially grew with only Jewish converts in Jerusalem, but soon, with persecution from Jewish leaders, and through the leading of God, (in particular, the conversion of [[Cornelius]] in [[Acts 10]]), the [[gospel]] spread to [[Gentiles]] (non-Jews).

Jews of the time divided the world up into Jews and Gentiles. Jews were further divided into Palestinian Jews (those who were born in Palestine) and Diaspora Jews (those who were born outside Palestine). Jews were also divided into Hebraists and Hellenists (those who had embranced embraced the Greek culture and language). Gentiles were divided into Proselyte (those who had converted to Judaism and been baptized), God -fearer (those who respected the Hebrew God [[Yahweh]] but had not been circumcised) and pagans pagan (those who followed other gods).

 * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_the_Apostles Wikipedia - Acts of the Apostles]