Acts related passages

Within the Bible

• Previous: The Gospel of John completed the fourfold witness to Jesus; Acts carries the story forward into the mission of His Spirit-filled church.
• Continues: Luke’s Gospel — Acts is its second volume, picking up at the ascension.
• Next: Romans, the first of Paul’s letters, sets out the gospel Paul preached throughout Acts in full theological depth.
• Thematic Connections:
  • Luke 24:46-49 - The commission and promise of the Spirit that Acts fulfills.
  • Joel 2:28-32 - The outpouring of the Spirit, quoted by Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2).
  • The Epistles - Many of Paul’s letters were written to churches founded in Acts (Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica).

Cross-Testament Connections

Acts shows the risen Christ continuing His work and fulfilling Scripture:

• The outpoured Spirit: Pentecost fulfills Joel’s prophecy and Jesus’ promise (Acts 2:16-21; Joel 2:28-32; Luke 24:49).
• The gospel to the nations: The mission fulfills God’s promise that all nations would be blessed in Abraham and that the Servant would be a light to the Gentiles (Acts 13:47; Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 49:6).
• The suffering and risen Christ: The apostolic preaching centers on the Christ who had to suffer and rise, as Moses and the prophets foretold (Acts 26:22-23; Isaiah 53; Psalm 16).
• Salvation in one name: The exclusive saving name of Jesus fulfills the promise that all who call on the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21; 4:12; Joel 2:32).