# Acts The Book of Acts provides a detailed account of the early Christian church, focusing on the ministries of Peter and Paul and the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. Scholars generally date Acts to the early *60s AD*, though some skeptical scholars propose a much later date, often in the late 1st or early 2nd century ([[@Pervo2006-vl]], [[@KnoxUnknown-wz]]). However, both internal and external evidence strongly support an earlier date, likely around *AD 62-64*, shortly after the events it describes. ## When Was Acts Written? ### Internal Evidence Acts provides several historical details that align with events before AD 64, suggesting it was written shortly after these events. The book mentions a change in governors from *Felix* to *Porcius Festus* ([Acts 24:27](https://www.bible.com/bible/100/ACT.24.27)) that occurred in 60 A.D. Festus later is the one that decides to send Paul for trial ([Acts 27:1-2](https://www.bible.com/bible/100/ACT.27.1-2)). The narrative ends with Paul still awaiting trial in Rome two years later, without narrating his trial, release, or death ([Acts 28:16](https://www.bible.com/bible/100/ACT.28.16), [Acts 28:30-31](https://www.bible.com/bible/100/ACT.28.30-31)). This omission suggests the book was completed before these events occurred. Similarly, Luke omits the death of James, the brother of Jesus, in AD 62, despite including the death of James the Apostle earlier in the narrative. This supports the idea that Acts was finished before James's death. >[!Failure] See [[How Did The Apostles Die#14 James - Brother Of Christ|The Stoning Of James]], and the death of [[How Did The Apostles Die#3 James The Greater|James The Apostle]] Furthermore, Paul had not yet fulfilled his intention to bring the Gospel to Spain, as mentioned in his epistle ([Romans 15:24, 28](https://www.bible.com/bible/100/ROM.15.24,28)). Scholars infer that these factors point to a composition date around AD 62 ([[@Harnack2004-or]], [[@Bernier2022-xz]]). ### External Evidence Acts is the sequel to the Gospel of Luke, which must predate it, placing Luke’s composition in the early 60s AD. Luke’s Gospel itself draws from the Gospel of Mark, suggesting Mark was written even earlier. Traditional accounts date Mark’s Gospel to the late 50s AD, during Peter’s ministry in Rome ([[@Bruce2007-tq]]). Early church fathers, such as Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria, affirm Luke’s authorship and link Acts to the apostolic era ([[@Marshal1998-gp]]). >[!Info] See [[The Early Church On Luke]] The political climate in Acts also reflects a pre-Neronian context, with Roman authorities generally appearing neutral or protective toward Christians ([[@Hemer1989-db]]). >[!danger] See [[Christian Persecution Under Nero]] Taken together, the internal and external evidence strongly support a composition date for Acts in **AD 62-64**, shortly after the events it narrates.