Who was the intended audience for Acts of the Apostles?

Answer 1

The intended 'recipient' for Acts of the Apostles was first a man called "Theophilus":- - Acts 1:1 BBE (v.1) I have given an earlier account, O Theophilus,of all the things which Jesus did, and of his teaching from the first, His identity is unknown, but it is thought he was some distinguished Roman or Greek who had been converted, and who was a friend of Luke.

The second intended audience were the Gentile, or non-Jewish churches as well as Kings and the Lost Tribes of Israel (see Acts 9:15). Paul had preached at the jewish synagogues but since they had rejected the Gospel Message, he took it to the non-jews who gladly accepted it.

Acts 28:28 BBE (v.28) Be certain, then, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will give hearing.

Answer 2

As with all Scripture, the Book of Acts outlining the early Church history, is for all who read it.
Specifically, the Scripture states the following audiences:

Acts 9:15 New King James Version (NKJV)

15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

Many scholars, theologians, and historians have studied the 3 journeys of the Apostle Paul, as well as the other Apostles, and have concurred with this writing.

The reader will note that the commission to Paul was to address three specific audiences: the gentiles; the kings in the various Asian Minor lands under Roman control; and the 'children of Israel' who are also commonly referred to as the lost 10 tribes.

Answer 3

Uta Ranke-Heinemann, Professor of Religious History, says in Putting Away Childish Things that Acts of the Apostles is a work of Propaganda aimed at Gentile Christians and Gentiles who have not yet become Christians. Acts follows a clear didactic line and for this reason energetically cultivates the creation of legends and reshapes persons and events according to its own standards. It was not written as a genuine history of early Christianity, although it was eventually accepted as such.