Luke presents the ascension as the climax of his gospel. He also presents it as the most striking element in the introduction to Acts. By using these ascension accounts to form the link between the Gospel of Luke and Acts, Luke seem to indicate its significance for a proper understanding of his theology and purpose.

According to the book of Acts, the apostle Paul was imprisoned for in excess of four years. How did he cope? This article draws attention to the helpers the apostle received. It indicates different kinds of helpers, like friends, slaves, jailers, disciples, and churches, and how they gained access to him. The article notes further the kind of help and support the apostle received.

This article considers the specific influence of Stephen on the apostle Paul, with consideration toward the book of Acts.

In the book of Acts, twenty-three speeches can be identified. The reliability, function, and intention of these speeches are reflected upon.

How is the church portrayed in the book of Acts? Giles responds to the idea that Acts represents a form of early catholicism. He argues that in such things as baptism, communal meals, and forms of leadership, the theology of Luke is simple and non-sacramental.

Often Jesus called his disciples and followers to leave everything. What is the content of this call? There are also passages in Luke and Acts that seem to require voluntary poverty. Other passages require a right attitude to the continuing possession of wealth. What was Jesus' teaching on possessions?

When should the book of Acts be dated? This article argues that the way Acts refers to people like Nero leaves the impression that it expects Nero to hear and acquit Paul. Acts is interpreted as a missionary sequel to Luke's Gospel.

In this article, Wenham gives a summary of the argument of R. Riesner's latest book on the chronology of the early life of Paul. This book is further related to the work of G. Ludeman in this topic. Wenham calls attention to Riesner's appreciation of the book of Acts as a historical source.

This article argues that the plan of God played a big role in the writings of Luke and thus in the book of Acts. The author argues that the "plan of God" forms the theological basis for what Luke understood as preaching. It was God who acted through the preaching of the apostles. The preaching of the disciples is a result of God working out his plan for the nations. The plan of God also determines the content of the preaching.

This article gives thought to why Acts should be studied.

Was it compulsory for the earliest Christians in the book of Acts to share their possessions? This article considers this question in the light of passages like Acts 2:44-45 and Acts 4:32-35, which speak of sharing of possessions among the earliest believers. This article is a response to the view that Luke presents this practice as mistaken.

What is the main focus of the book of Acts? In this article, Walton argues that the focus of Acts is God and his redemptive purposes being carried out. As evidence, Walton analyzes the subjects of clauses, sentences, and terms assuming divine action. He further considers the focus of the speeches and the development and growth of the mission in Acts.

The book of Acts is essential to understanding mission work. This article points to the ascension of Christ and Pentecost as the two events recorded in Acts that are important for the mission of the church.

This article reviews research and a number of writings on the book of Acts. Discontent is voiced in many of these writings with traditional exegetical methods. There is the promise that newer methods can lead to more fruitful results of reading the New Testament in general and Acts in particular.

Is the portrayal of the unity of the church in Acts an unrealistic idealization of Luke? There are many studies of Acts that judge it to be idealization. This article surveys this literature. It then argues that Luke's view of the church is not unrealistic idealization.

This essay discusses the relationship of the apostle Paul's Jerusalem visits as recorded in Acts and Galatians. Five visits are mentioned in Acts, and only two visits are mentioned in Galatians.

What is the purpose of Acts? House gives a short survey of the approaches to the purpose of Acts, which helps us to see a number of main motifs of the book. The article wants to link the historical and theological aspects of the book. Five different functions of suffering and persecution in Acts are discussed.

Bornkamm made significant contributions in two particular areas of studies on the apostle Paul: the value of the book of Acts and the epistles of Paul as sources on the life of Paul. These two aspects are reviewed in this article.

Was early Christianity characterized by internal division? This study wants to identify different groups to be found in the church in Jerusalem as reflected in the book of Acts.

Looking at Acts 28:17-31, this article looks at the speculation around why Luke ended the book of Acts in the way that he did. Here the author suggests that Luke wanted to show that with the completion of Paul's ministry, a once-for-all foundation had been laid for the Word of God to continue without hinderance.

Looking at Acts 28:17-31, this article looks at the speculation around why Luke ended the book of Acts in the way he did. Here the author suggests that the reason is because Luke wanted to show that Paul's two years in Rome represent the completion of the Pauline mission.

The writer Luke gives in Acts encouragement to believers to be involved in the spread of the word, but he does not imply that all are expected to proclaim it, nor that the essence of the gift of the Spirit is to empower such mission. Turner argues against the position that Pentecost is the empowerment for every believer individually to be involved in proclamation of the Gospel through eight theses that are expounded.

In this article McGrath argues for the importance of apologetics in contemporary mission to a post-modern world. He also raises concerns about the weakness of much modern evangelical apologetics.