When Was Acts Written?
This post is adapted from Darrell Bock’s Theology of Luke and Acts online course.
To determine when Acts was written, we need to evaluate the evidence from both Luke and Acts, because the two books were written together, with Luke appearing slightly before Acts.
At first glance, it seems that the book of Acts was written around the same time of the last events it describes. The story ends; Luke writes the book. That’s the date.
For this reason, many people place Acts in the early 60s, because this coincides with the date of Paul’s imprisonment in Rome.
But why couldn’t Luke have written the book later?
It is possible Luke’s story isn’t really about Paul. Instead, it’s about the gospel arriving at Rome. In this view, it’s not important what Paul does after the gospel makes it to…
Knowing Key Events in Paul’s Life is Crucial to Understanding & Exegeting 2 Corinthians Well
There are some who insist Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians isn’t a source of early Church history, believing it to be a “locally directed polemic” with strong “personal factors.” (71) Ralph Martin disagrees.
In his newly revised commentary on 2 Corinthians (2nd Edition), Martin argues “the contents and chief emphases of 2 Corinthians are best appreciated by setting the letter in a historical and theological Sitz im Leben in Paul’s missionary career.” (71) Thus not only is 2 Corinthians a source of early Church history, it’s historical setting should come to the aid of our exegesis.
Martin largely constructs the flow of events leading to the letter’s composition from the Acts of the Apostles. His introduction’s “Setting of 2 Corinthians in Paul’s Life” provides a fascinating lens through which we exegetes should consider viewing Paul’s letter. According to…
Eckhard Schnabel on His Acts Commentary [Video]
Eckhard J. Schnabel shares a taste of what you'll learn from his 2012 Christian Book Award-winning volume Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Acts.
Find out why Paul didn't want the Athenians to think he was introducing foreign gods. The answer may surprise you.
And here's a quick quiz question, which Schnabel answers in the video:
How much of the book of Acts is direct speech?
A. 20%
B. 25%
C. 33%
D. More than 50%
Watch the video to find out.
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Just in Time for Pentecost – the Acts Commentaries eBook Sale!
“The experience of Pentecost is the key that unlocks the book of Acts.” -Ajith Fernando, NIV Application Commentary: Acts
With the church's commemoration of Pentecost Sunday just around the corner (May 19, 2013), we're thinking about Pentecost and its significance. We're also excited to present a great deal on Acts eBook commentaries from Zondervan. For a limited time, get the eBook commentaries below for only $7.99 each!
You may know the Pentecost event in Acts 2 marks the fulfillment of Christ's promise of the Holy Spirit. As Fernando notes, the Pentecost event signals "that we as believers have a new power for ministry," and it signals "the breaking of barriers that have separated the human race since Babel." So, as Fernando notes, it's appropriate that the Acts 2 event takes place in Jerusalem during the Jewish harvest festival of Pentecost…