Acts

Introduction

The book of Acts (formally "The Acts of the Apostles") is the second volume of a two-part work written by Luke, a Gentile physician and companion of the apostle Paul (Colossians 4:14, Philemon 1:24). Like the Gospel of Luke, it is addressed to Θεόφιλος ("Theophilus"), likely a Roman patron or official (Acts 1:1, Luke 1:3). Acts picks up where the Gospel left off -- with the risen Jesus instructing his apostles before his ascension -- and then traces the explosive growth of the early church from a small band of Jewish believers in Jerusalem to a movement that has reached the capital of the Roman Empire. The dating of Acts remains debated. Some scholars favor an early date in the early-to-mid 60s AD, noting that the narrative ends with Paul under house arrest in Rome without recording the outcome of his trial, the fall of Jerusalem (AD 70), or the deaths of Paul and Peter. Many others place it in the 80s or later, arguing that Luke's theological concerns and literary relationship to Mark suggest a later composition.

Acts is the only narrative history of the early church in the New Testament and is therefore indispensable for understanding how the apostolic community understood its mission, organized its life, and proclaimed the gospel. The book is dominated by two central figures: Peter, who leads the church's mission to the Jews in the first half (chapters 1-12), and Paul, whose missionary journeys to the Gentile world occupy the second half (chapters 13-28). The Holy Spirit is the driving force throughout -- Acts could justly be called "The Acts of the Holy Spirit." Luke emphasizes that the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome was not a human achievement but the sovereign work of God, fulfilling Jesus' programmatic statement in Acts 1:8: "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Structure

The Church in Jerusalem (1:1-8:3)

After Jesus' ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the apostles preach boldly in Jerusalem. The church grows rapidly, accompanied by miracles, communal sharing, and increasing opposition from the Jewish authorities. Stephen becomes the first martyr, and his death triggers a wider persecution that scatters the believers beyond Jerusalem.

The Church in Judea and Samaria (8:4-12:25)

The gospel spreads outward as Philip preaches in Samaria and to an Ethiopian official, Saul of Tarsus is dramatically converted on the road to Damascus, and Peter receives a vision leading him to baptize the Gentile Cornelius and his household -- a pivotal turning point for the church. The church at Antioch is established, Herod Agrippa persecutes the Jerusalem church, and James the brother of John is martyred.

Paul's First Missionary Journey and the Jerusalem Council (13:1-15:35)

The church at Antioch commissions Barnabas and Paul for missionary work. They travel through Cyprus and southern Asia Minor, preaching in synagogues and establishing churches among both Jews and Gentiles. The question of whether Gentile converts must observe the Mosaic law is resolved at the Jerusalem Council, which determines that Gentiles need not be circumcised.

Paul's Second and Third Missionary Journeys (15:36-21:16)

Paul, now traveling with Silas and later Timothy and others, extends his mission into Macedonia and Greece, establishing churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus. These journeys produce many of the churches to which Paul's New Testament letters are addressed. Paul eventually resolves to return to Jerusalem, despite prophetic warnings of danger.

Paul's Arrest, Trials, and Journey to Rome (21:17-28:31)

Paul is arrested in the Jerusalem temple, delivers defense speeches before the Sanhedrin, the Roman governors Felix and Festus, and King Agrippa, appeals to Caesar as a Roman citizen, survives a shipwreck on the voyage to Italy, and arrives in Rome, where he spends two years under house arrest, freely preaching the kingdom of God.

Chapter Summaries

1. 1The risen Jesus instructs his apostles, promises the Holy Spirit, ascends into heaven from the Mount of Olives, and the apostles choose Matthias to replace Judas among the Twelve.
2. 2The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost with tongues of fire and the gift of languages, Peter preaches the first apostolic sermon, and about three thousand people believe and are baptized.
3. 3Peter and John heal a lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and Peter preaches to the astonished crowd, calling them to repentance and faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
4. 4Peter and John are arrested by the temple authorities, Peter boldly testifies before the Sanhedrin, and the believers pray for boldness and share their possessions with one another.
5. 5Ananias and Sapphira die after lying about their offering, the apostles perform many signs and wonders, and the Sanhedrin arrests and beats the apostles but cannot stop their preaching.
6. 6Seven men including Stephen and Philip are chosen to serve the Hellenistic widows, and Stephen, full of grace and power, is accused of blasphemy and brought before the Sanhedrin.
7. 7Stephen delivers a lengthy speech recounting Israel's history of rejecting God's messengers, accuses the council of resisting the Holy Spirit, and is stoned to death as the first Christian martyr.
8. 8A great persecution scatters the church from Jerusalem, Philip preaches in Samaria and baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch, and Simon the sorcerer attempts to buy the power of the Holy Spirit.
9. 9Saul encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus and is converted, Ananias restores his sight and baptizes him, and Peter heals Aeneas and raises Tabitha from the dead in Lydda and Joppa.
10. 10The Roman centurion Cornelius receives a vision directing him to send for Peter, Peter receives a vision declaring all foods clean, and the Holy Spirit falls on Cornelius and his Gentile household.
11. 11Peter defends his visit to Cornelius before the Jerusalem church, the gospel spreads to Antioch where believers are first called "Christians," and Agabus prophesies a famine.
12. 12King Herod Agrippa executes the apostle James, imprisons Peter (who is miraculously freed by an angel), and is struck down by God for accepting divine honors.
13. 13The church at Antioch sends Barnabas and Saul on their first missionary journey through Cyprus and Pisidian Antioch, where Paul preaches in the synagogue and turns to the Gentiles after Jewish rejection.
14. 14Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, Paul heals a lame man and is mistaken for a god, and they are persecuted but strengthen the new churches before returning to Antioch.
15. 15The Jerusalem Council determines that Gentile believers need not be circumcised, and Paul and Barnabas part ways over John Mark, with Paul choosing Silas as his new companion.
16. 16Paul recruits Timothy, receives the Macedonian call in a vision, converts Lydia in Philippi, casts out a spirit of divination, and is imprisoned and miraculously freed, leading to the conversion of the Philippian jailer.
17. 17Paul preaches in the synagogues of Thessalonica and Berea, is driven out by opposition, and delivers his address to the Athenian philosophers on the Areopagus about the unknown God.
18. 18Paul spends eighteen months in Corinth, is brought before the proconsul Gallio, and then travels to Ephesus, beginning his third missionary journey, while Apollos is instructed more accurately by Priscilla and Aquila.
19. 19Paul ministers in Ephesus for over two years, performing extraordinary miracles, and the silversmiths led by Demetrius incite a riot in defense of the goddess Artemis.
20. 20Paul travels through Macedonia and Greece, raises Eutychus from the dead in Troas, and delivers a farewell address to the Ephesian elders at Miletus, warning them of coming dangers.
21. 21Paul journeys to Jerusalem despite prophetic warnings, is warmly received by James and the elders, but is seized by a mob in the temple and arrested by Roman soldiers.
22. 22Paul addresses the crowd from the barracks steps, recounting his conversion on the Damascus road, and reveals his Roman citizenship to avoid being flogged.
23. 23Paul divides the Sanhedrin by raising the issue of resurrection, is encouraged by the Lord in a night vision, and is transferred under heavy guard to the governor Felix in Caesarea after a plot against his life.
24. 24Paul defends himself before Governor Felix, who keeps him imprisoned for two years hoping for a bribe, and is left in custody when Festus succeeds Felix.
25. 25Paul appeals to Caesar before Governor Festus, and King Agrippa and Bernice arrive in Caesarea, leading Festus to arrange a hearing so he can formulate charges to send with Paul to Rome.
26. 26Paul delivers his defense before King Agrippa, recounting his conversion and commission, and Agrippa responds that Paul almost persuades him to become a Christian.
27. 27Paul sets sail for Rome as a prisoner, the ship encounters a violent storm lasting fourteen days, and all 276 people aboard survive the shipwreck on the island of Malta.
28. 28Paul is bitten by a viper on Malta but suffers no harm, heals the sick on the island, and finally arrives in Rome, where he spends two years under house arrest, freely preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.