AcActs

About

The book of Acts of the Apostles tells what happened to the followers of Jesus after He ascended to heaven. Peter (Acts 1-12) and Paul (Acts 13-28) are the main characters. They emerged as leaders of the nascent church. The Church quickly spreads throughout the known world of that time.

AuthorLuke, the physician
For whom it was writtenTo Theophilus.
Chapter amount28
Verse amount1007

Message/Outline

  • The gospel is preached in Jerusalem (Acts 1-7).
  • The gospel is preached in Judea and Samaria (Acts 8-12).
  • The gospel is preached to the rest of the world (Acts 13-28).

Main Characters

PeterFisherman, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.
StephenThe first Christian martyr.
PhilipPhilip (Gr. Lover of Horses).
BarnabasBarnabas (Aram. Son of consolation).
James
Paul
SilasImportant member of the early church.

Chapters

1The ascension of Jesus. Jesus announces to the disciples that they will receive the power of the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel. Matthias is chosen as an apostle in place of Judas.
2The Holy Spirit descends on the day of Pentecost, causing the believers to speak in other tongues. Peter preaches to thousands of people.
3 - 5Peter heals a lame man in the name of Jesus Christ. Peter delivers a sermon to many people. Peter and John before the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin council puts Peter and John in prison. The apostles are miraculously taken out of prison.
6, 7Seven deacons are chosen to care for the needy. Stephen preaches about Jesus to the Religious Council. The council members become angry and Stephen is killed.
8Saul consents to the death of Stephen. Saul begins to persecute the believers and puts them in prison.
9God blinds Saul as he is going to Damascus. The disciple sent to care for Saul teaches him about Jesus. Saul preaches in Jewish synagogues saying that Jesus is the Son of God. Saul, the persecutor becomes persecuted.
10Peter speaks about Jesus to a Roman centurion and his family. They believe and become his followers.
11The gospel is preached to the Gentiles in Antioch.
12Herod orders the death of James. An angel frees Peter from prison.
13, 14Paul's first missionary journey. Paul and Barnabas preach in Cyprus. Paul speaks in the synagogue of Antioch of Pisidia. The opposition from the Jews. The gospel is preached in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. Success and persecution. The return to Antioch.
15The apostles decide in council that the believer does not need to follow all the Mosaic laws in order to have a right relationship with God.
15.36 - 18.22Paul's second missionary journey. In Macedonia, Paul and Silas are beaten and put in prison. An earthquake opens the prison doors, but Paul and Silas do not escape. The jailer converts. Paul preaches in Thessalonica and many people convert. In Berea, Paul and Silas teach eager listeners of the gospel message. Paul preaches in Athens.
18.23 - 20.38Paul's third missionary journey. Paul decides to visit the believers in the cities where he had preached.
21Paul arrives in Jerusalem and is arrested in the temple.
22Paul's speech in his defense.
23Jewish conspiracy against Paul. He is sent to Caesarea to avoid being killed by an angry mob.
24Paul defends himself before Governor Felix, but for two years Felix does not give a verdict and Paul is kept in prison.
25Felix is replaced by Festus, another governor. Paul appeals to Caesar, the Roman emperor.
26Paul tells his story to the visiting king, King Agrippa.
27Paul is sent to Italy. The shipwrecks but everyone is saved and reaches the shore of the island of Malta.
28On the island, God uses Paul to heal many sick people. Paul is then taken to Rome and is kept in prison for two years in his own house, but even as a prisoner, Paul takes the opportunity to preach the gospel.