Acts | The Big Picture
The book of Acts tells the story of how God advanced His Kingdom on earth, beginning in Jerusalem and reaching toward the ends of the earth. Written by Luke as the second volume to his Gospel, Acts shows how the risen Christ established a new creation community, the Church, called to live as countercultural outposts of the Kingdom of Heaven. This narrative traces how the Church grew as the Word of the Lord multiplied, even in the face of persecution, peril, opposition, internal conflict, and imprisonment.
The message of Acts is clear: God is on an unstoppable mission to bring His Kingdom to earth through the ministry of the Church as it relies on the Spirit and the Word.
Whether you're new to the Bible or a longtime believer, Acts invites you to find your place in God’s ongoing story, and to join the mission that continues today.
Context
Acts begins with the Ascension of Christ, which took place 40 days after His resurrection, and is followed 10 days later by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, marking the birth of the Church. The book traces the rapid growth of the Church during the first century Roman Empire, a time of political stability but increasing tension between Jews, gentiles, and the emerging Jesus movement, covering events from approximately 30–60 CE.
Luke, an eyewitness of Jesus, a companion of the apostles and a thoughtful historian, writes Acts as a historical narrative with theological purpose, showing how the risen Christ continues His mission through the Spirit-empowered Church. Set in this pivotal moment of history; Acts reveals how the gospel overcame opposition and crossed cultural boundaries to form a multiethnic, Spirit-filled community.Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Structure
Luke frames the book of Acts with a clear emphasis on the Kingdom of God. In verse 3, we read, “Jesus presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” This is followed by the disciples’ heartfelt question: “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6).
That question echoes throughout the narrative and finds its answer not in political restoration but in the Spirit-empowered mission of the Church. The book closes with these words: “Paul lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:30–31).
This framing reveals that Acts is not just a history of the early Church; it is a testimony to the expansion of God's Kingdom. It clarifies what that Kingdom truly is: a Kingdom made up of every nation, tribe, and tongue, marked not by worldly power but by bold witness, deep unity, sacrificial love, and the reality of the Resurrection.
Jesus’ response to the lingering question of the Kingdom its found in Acts 1:8. This verse becomes the missional framework to the Kingdom expansion and serves as an outline to Luke’s account:
Acts 1:8 | “...you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1-7 | Witness in Jerusalem
Acts 8-12 | Witness in Judea & Samaria
Acts 13-28 | Witness to the Ends of the Earth
Progress Reports
Throughout the narrative of Acts, Luke includes “progress reports” or summary statements that mark the expansion of the Kingdom. These serve as literary seams, dividing the book into distinct scenes with theological significance.
Acts 2:47 | “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Acts 6:7 | “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly..”
Acts 9:31 | “And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.”
Acts 12:24 | “But the word of God increased and multiplied.”
Acts 16:5 | “So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.”
Acts 19:20 | “So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.”
Acts 28:31 | “...proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”
Each progress report concludes a section and functions as a literary cue, signaling to the reader that a new scene is beginning. By zooming out and viewing each scene as part of a larger movement, we are better equipped to interpret each passage within its broader context.
As we do this, we begin to see the unfolding of key scenes, each carrying its own theological and practical emphasis. Our 17-week series will follow these scenes as a map to navigate through this historical narrative.
Seven Scenes
By paying attention to these literary cues, the text naturally divides into seven clear sections. Within each scene, a long-form speech functions as a theological capstone, providing meaning and insight into the entire section. When viewed through this lens, the following scenes begin to emerge:
Scene 1 | Acts 1:1-2:47 | The Day of Pentecost & the Birth of the Church.
Scene 2 | Acts 3:1-6:7 | The Church as the New Temple Community.
Scene 3 | Acts 6:8-9:31 | The Blood of Martyrs is the Seed of the Church.
Scene 4 | Acts 9:32-12:24 | Gentile Inclusion & the Muti-Ethnic Community of the Church.
Scene 5 | Acts 12:25-16:5 | Paul’s First Missionary Journey & Gospel Life.
Scene 6 | Acts 16:6-19:20 | Paul’s Missionary Journeys & the Clash of Kingdoms.
Scene 7 | Acts 19:21-28:31 | Kingdom Witness from Chains to Caesar.
As we move through each scene in Acts, a clear pattern emerges. We see miraculous demonstrations of the Kingdom, followed by bold teaching or evangelistic preaching. Each long-form speech sparks conflict, yet every scene closes with a progress report highlighting the Church’s continued growth.
This series will explore the unique emphasis of each scene, helping us interpret the story of the early Church and the practical implications that follow. It invites us to recognize the ongoing work of Christ through His Church today and to find our place in that unfolding story.
