The Acts of the Apostles is a history book. Written by Luke, it records the events of the apostles. It begins where the four gospels ended and records the Lord's Ascension. Early believers who trusted in the Good News of the Kingdom, were instructed to do all that Christ had commanded. With the arrival of the Holy Spirit, a miraculous growth of Kingdom Believers began. Then, persecution came. It threatened the very existence of the believers. At this point, we are introduced to Saul. On his way to Damascus in pursuit of believers, he has a divine encounter with the Risen Savior. This is a defining moment: Saul is converted and a dispensational transition begins. God makes Paul a "pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting" (1 Tim. 1:16). The remainder of Acts records this transition and the opposition to God's plans. This book precedes the remaining books of the Bible for an important reason. It explains their intent and purpose for believers today as well as those who will suffer in the Tribulation to come.