Brief Summary:
The book of Acts gives the history of the Christian church and the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as the mounting opposition to it. Although many faithful servants were used to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, Saul, also called Paul, was the most influential. Before he was converted, Paul zealously persecuted Christians. Paul’s dramatic conversion on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1–31) is a highlight of the book of Acts. After his conversion he went to the opposite extreme of loving God and preaching His Word with power and fervency in the Spirit of the true and living God. The disciples were empowered by the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses in Jerusalem (Acts 1—8:3), in Judea and Samaria (8:4—12:25), and to the ends of the earth (13:1—28:31). Included in the last section are Paul’s three missionary journeys (13:1—21:16), his trials in Jerusalem and Caesarea (21:17—26:32) and his journey to Rome (27:1—28:31).
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The Book of Acts Summary
Summary of the Book of Acts – Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org
Context Summary
Acts 11:1–18 describes Peter defending his actions in Acts 10. The Holy Spirit led him to share Jesus’ story with a house filled with Gentiles. As he had barely started, the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles and Peter had them baptized into the church. Now, he has returned to the church in Jerusalem and has some explaining to do. Despite Peter being the most prominent of Jesus’ twelve disciples, the legalistic Jews have already gained significant influence in the church. It’s a good reminder we must always follow God and be ready to defend our response to His leading.
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“Acts 11:18” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 11:18 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 11:18
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”
Context Summary
Acts 11:19–26 continues the inauguration of the international church. While Peter is in Caesarea Maritima leading a houseful of Gentiles to faith in Jesus (Acts 10) and then in Jerusalem explaining that Jesus has come to the Gentiles (Acts 11:1–18), the church has already spread far north to Syrian Antioch. The Jesus-followers who fled Saul’s persecution in Jerusalem took Jesus’ story with them (Acts 8:1–4). Some, from Cyprus and Cyrene, taught Gentiles. If they, Jews who lived within the Greco/Roman culture, could worship Jesus, why couldn’t their Gentile friends? This is exactly what Jesus intended in Acts 1:8.
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“Acts 11:24 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 11:24 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 11:24
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.
Context Summary
Acts 12:6–11 describes Peter’s angelic rescue from a Roman prison. Herod Agrippa I arrested and killed the apostle James, brother of John. When he realized how much local religious leaders approved, he arrested Peter with plans to kill him after the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The church has been praying, however, and Peter’s ministry is not over. God answers their prayer by sending an angel to rescue him from prison. Peter will stop by and update members of the church and then go into hiding. We won’t see him again until the meeting of church leaders in Acts 15.
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“Acts 12:7 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 12:7 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 12:7
7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, “Stand up quickly!” His chains fell off his hands.
Context Summary
Acts 12:24–25 marks the official transition from the story of Peter and the church in Jerusalem to the story of Paul, formerly Saul, and his missionary journeys. We will see Peter only once more—in a meeting requested by Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:7–11). The rest of the book of Acts is dedicated to Paul’s first three missionary journeys (Acts 13—14; 15:36—20:38), his arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 21:1—23:22) and imprisonment in Caesarea Maritima (Acts 23:23—26:32), and his journey to Rome to have his case tried before Caesar (Acts 27—28). Because of Paul, Jesus’ story will spread all over the northern Mediterranean.
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“Acts 12:24 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 12:24 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 12:24
24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Context Summary
Acts 13:1–3 is a segue from Peter, the church in Jerusalem, and the evangelistic efforts in Judea and Samaria. This transitions to Paul and the expansion of the mixed Jewish / Gentile church in Syrian Antioch to modern-day Asia Minor. Peter and the Jerusalem church will only be mentioned again in the context of Paul’s story (Acts 15:1–35; 21:17–26). Saul takes his Gentile name, Paul, as the worldwide church shifts to become a largely Gentile institution. The last stage of Jesus’ commission in Acts 1:8—to spread His story among the Gentiles—takes center stage.
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“Acts 13:2” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 13:2 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 13:2
2 As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.”
Context Summary
Acts 13:42–52 details the response to Paul’s message in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch. Many Gentiles and some Jews accept the news about Jesus gladly, but the synagogue leaders don’t. Since Jews live in community, and the Jewish community leaders feel threatened by Paul’s message and popularity, Paul can say “the Jews” reject Jesus’ offer of eternal life. Paul turns his attention to the Gentiles until the Jewish leaders join with city leaders to drive Paul and Barnabas out of town.
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“Acts 13:47 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 13:47 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 13:47
47 For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’”
Context Summary
Acts 14:8–20 finds Paul and Barnabas in Lystra in the province of Galatia in modern-day Asia Minor. This city’s reaction is the extreme opposite of what happened in Pisidian Antioch and Iconium, where they were threatened with stoning (Acts 13:50; 14:5). In Lystra, they are initially worshiped as gods. The two Christian missionaries are horrified by this reaction and do their best to stop it. Before long, however, antagonistic Jews from their previous stops arrive and convince the locals to stone Paul. God’s warning that Paul would suffer greatly for Him begins to come true (Acts 9:16), but Paul considers being left for dead a small price to pay for his salvation through Jesus (Romans 8:18).
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“Acts 14:15” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 14:15 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 14:14-16
14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; 16 who in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.
Context Summary
Acts 14:8–20 finds Paul and Barnabas in Lystra in the province of Galatia in modern-day Asia Minor. This city’s reaction is the extreme opposite of what happened in Pisidian Antioch and Iconium, where they were threatened with stoning (Acts 13:50; 14:5). In Lystra, they are initially worshiped as gods. The two Christian missionaries are horrified by this reaction and do their best to stop it. Before long, however, antagonistic Jews from their previous stops arrive and convince the locals to stone Paul. God’s warning that Paul would suffer greatly for Him begins to come true (Acts 9:16), but Paul considers being left for dead a small price to pay for his salvation through Jesus (Romans 8:18).
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“Acts 14:19 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 14:19 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 14:19
19 But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
Context Summary
Acts 14:21–28 tracks Paul and Barnabas’ journey home from Derbe, the farthest point they reach in Paul’s first missionary journey. Instead of taking the quick route south, they return west, building up the churches in cities they had fled due to persecution. They then travel south to the Mediterranean and preach about Jesus in Perga before catching a ship to take them east, back home to Syrian Antioch. Their experiences will prove vital for the leadership of the church in Jerusalem who must decide how to properly integrate Gentiles in Jesus’ church (Acts 15:1–35).
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“Acts 14:22 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 14:22 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 14:22
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.
Context Summary
Acts 15:6–11 is Peter’s address to a council, gathered to determine if Gentile Jesus-followers must convert to Judaism. Jewish Jesus-followers who still identify as Pharisees claim Gentiles must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic law (Acts 15:5). Those who have evangelized Gentiles, like Paul and Barnabas, disagree (Acts 15:2). Now Peter, who was first to watch the Holy Spirit fall on un-baptized, un-circumcised Gentiles (Acts 10:44), says his piece: Gentiles and Jews are saved through grace, not works.
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“Acts 15:11 ” Bibleref.com.
What does Acts 15:11 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 15:11
11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,b]”>[b] just as they are.”
Context Summary
Acts 15:30–35 depicts the delivery of a resolution about Gentiles in the church. Jewish Christians from Judea had come to Syrian Antioch and insisted Gentile believers must first convert to Judaism. The Antiochenes took their objections to the leadership in Jerusalem. The church in Jerusalem sided with the Antiochenes, but required they make cultural concessions so Jews felt free to worship and live with them in unity (Acts 15:1–29). Now, the church in Antioch rejoices. Not only are they officially free from the Mosaic law, they are warmly unified with the apostles and the first church in Jerusalem.
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“Acts 15:34 ” Bibleref.com.
What does Acts 15:34 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 15:34
34 [d] 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Context Summary
Acts 16:25–40 records Paul’s first imprisonment. The Philippian magistrates arrested Paul and Silas and had them beaten for spreading the news about Jesus. The two are now chained in a cell, praying and singing to God. An earthquake shakes the prison, releasing all the doors and chains. Paul assures the jailer no one has left, and the jailer tends to the pair’s wounds. They share Jesus’ offer of forgiveness of sins, and the jailer and his household accept Christ. In the morning, the magistrates attempt to release Paul and Silas, only to be confronted with their own crime: they have illegally punished two Roman citizens. After apologizing, the magistrates ask Paul and Silas to leave town.
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“Acts 16:29” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 16:31 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 16:29
29 He called for lights, sprang in, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas,
Context Summary
Acts 16:25–40 records Paul’s first imprisonment. The Philippian magistrates arrested Paul and Silas and had them beaten for spreading the news about Jesus. The two are now chained in a cell, praying and singing to God. An earthquake shakes the prison, releasing all the doors and chains. Paul assures the jailer no one has left, and the jailer tends to the pair’s wounds. They share Jesus’ offer of forgiveness of sins, and the jailer and his household accept Christ. In the morning, the magistrates attempt to release Paul and Silas, only to be confronted with their own crime: they have illegally punished two Roman citizens. After apologizing, the magistrates ask Paul and Silas to leave town.
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“Acts 16:30-31 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 16:31 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 16:30-31
30 brought them out, and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Context Summary
Acts 16:25–40 records Paul’s first imprisonment. The Philippian magistrates arrested Paul and Silas and had them beaten for spreading the news about Jesus. The two are now chained in a cell, praying and singing to God. An earthquake shakes the prison, releasing all the doors and chains. Paul assures the jailer no one has left, and the jailer tends to the pair’s wounds. They share Jesus’ offer of forgiveness of sins, and the jailer and his household accept Christ. In the morning, the magistrates attempt to release Paul and Silas, only to be confronted with their own crime: they have illegally punished two Roman citizens. After apologizing, the magistrates ask Paul and Silas to leave town.
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“Acts 16:33 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 16:33 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 16:33
33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household.
Context Summary
Acts 16:25–40 records Paul’s first imprisonment. The Philippian magistrates arrested Paul and Silas and had them beaten for spreading the news about Jesus. The two are now chained in a cell, praying and singing to God. An earthquake shakes the prison, releasing all the doors and chains. Paul assures the jailer no one has left, and the jailer tends to the pair’s wounds. They share Jesus’ offer of forgiveness of sins, and the jailer and his household accept Christ. In the morning, the magistrates attempt to release Paul and Silas, only to be confronted with their own crime: they have illegally punished two Roman citizens. After apologizing, the magistrates ask Paul and Silas to leave town.
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“Acts 16:34 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 16:34 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 16:34
34 He brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God.
Context Summary
Acts 17:10–15 introduces a church which becomes an example for all of Christianity: the Bereans. The jealous Jews of Thessalonica have driven Paul and Silas out of town by threatening the church members. Not willing to face more persecution than necessary, the church send the two to Berea. When the evangelists explain how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, the Bereans respond with a form of cautious skepticism. They study those prophecies, checking Paul’s message for accuracy, and find he’s right. Unfortunately, the Jews from Thessalonica follow and cause such problems that the new Berean church sends Paul away to Athens.
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“Acts 17:11” Bibleref.com.
What does Acts 17:11 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 17:11
11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Context Summary
Acts 17:22–34 contains the second of two sermons which Luke records from Paul. The more typical sermon explains to synagogues how Jesus is the Messiah (Acts 13:16–41). Here, however, Paul is speaking to a group of Athenian philosophers. Paul uses lines from classical poets to introduce the Creator God who cannot be represented by an idol. He calls his audience to repent of their idolatry lest they face judgment by the representative God has resurrected. But they don’t believe in the resurrection of the dead or final judgment. The majority dismiss Paul as a fool and go on their way.
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“Acts 17:30 ” Bibleref.com.
What does Acts 17:30 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 17:30-31
30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.”
T
Context Summary
Acts 18:5–11 describes Paul in Corinth, making tents with Priscilla and Aquila. He is waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive from Macedonia (Acts 18:1–3). Once they come, Paul can spend more time teaching about Jesus. As usual, the synagogue eventually rejects him, and he moves to the home of a Gentile God-fearer to continue his work. Despite the harassment of the unbelieving Jews, Jesus gives Paul a message that he is to stay in Corinth, which he does for eighteen months. Even when the Jews bring him to court, the proconsul will reject their charges as irrelevant religious squabbles (Acts 18:12–17).
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“Acts 18:6 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 18:6 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 18:6
6 When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!”
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Context Summary
Acts 18:5–11 describes Paul in Corinth, making tents with Priscilla and Aquila. He is waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive from Macedonia (Acts 18:1–3). Once they come, Paul can spend more time teaching about Jesus. As usual, the synagogue eventually rejects him, and he moves to the home of a Gentile God-fearer to continue his work. Despite the harassment of the unbelieving Jews, Jesus gives Paul a message that he is to stay in Corinth, which he does for eighteen months. Even when the Jews bring him to court, the proconsul will reject their charges as irrelevant religious squabbles (Acts 18:12–17).
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“Acts 18:9 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 18:9 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 18:9-10
9 The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but speak and don’t be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”
Context Summary
Acts 18:5–11 describes Paul in Corinth, making tents with Priscilla and Aquila. He is waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive from Macedonia (Acts 18:1–3). Once they come, Paul can spend more time teaching about Jesus. As usual, the synagogue eventually rejects him, and he moves to the home of a Gentile God-fearer to continue his work. Despite the harassment of the unbelieving Jews, Jesus gives Paul a message that he is to stay in Corinth, which he does for eighteen months. Even when the Jews bring him to court, the proconsul will reject their charges as irrelevant religious squabbles (Acts 18:12–17).
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“Acts 18:10” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 18:10 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 18:10
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”
Context Summary
Acts 8:9–25 further describes the apostles’ pursuit of Jesus’ plan to bring salvation to those He chooses. Simon, a popular and presumably wealthy sorcerer, sees Philip’s miracles. He especially notices the way the Holy Spirit comes on people when Peter and John lay their hands on them. Simon offers to buy their power. Meanwhile, Peter and John are in Samaria. The thought of Samaritans following Jesus goes against longstanding Jewish traditions. Yet the Samaritans are accepting Christ, and these messengers of the church are there to see the Holy Spirit come on them. God is not impressed by worldly popularity or wealth but on repentant, submissive hearts.
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“Acts 18:13” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 8:13 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 18:12-13
12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
Context Summary
Acts 19:1–7 continues the story of Paul’s third missionary trip that began with his tour of the churches in central modern-day Turkey (Acts 18:23). Now, he is in Ephesus in the province of Asia in western Turkey. He had been in Ephesus for a short time before and will now stay for about three years (Acts 18:19–21; 20:31). His first encounter is with twelve men who know about John the Baptist and his baptism for repentance but not about Jesus, whom John promised would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11).
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“Acts 19:4” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 19:4 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 19:4
4 Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
Context Summary
Acts 19:1–7 continues the story of Paul’s third missionary trip that began with his tour of the churches in central modern-day Turkey (Acts 18:23). Now, he is in Ephesus in the province of Asia in western Turkey. He had been in Ephesus for a short time before and will now stay for about three years (Acts 18:19–21; 20:31). His first encounter is with twelve men who know about John the Baptist and his baptism for repentance but not about Jesus, whom John promised would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11).
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“Acts 19:6 ” Bibleref.com.
What does Acts 19:6 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 19:6
6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.
Context Summary
In Acts 20:17–27, Paul begins his farewell to the elders of Ephesus. He and his team leave Troas and sail to Miletus, south of Ephesus, where Paul requests the Ephesian elders meet him. He reminds them how he served with dedication and self-sacrifice, and he also relays disturbing news. When he gets to Jerusalem, he will be imprisoned, and they will never see him again. Next, he will challenge them to protect their church from false teachers and to emulate his humble leadership (Acts 20:28–35).
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“Acts 20:24 ” Bibleref.com.
What does Acts 20:24 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 20:24
24 But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.
Context Summary
Acts 20:36–38 records the end of Paul’s missionary journeys as recorded in the book of Acts. He is already on his way to Judea but stopped at Miletus to speak with the elders of the church in Ephesus. He has told them he will soon be imprisoned and that they will not see him again (Acts 20:22–25). Shortly after he reaches Jerusalem, Paul will be wrongly arrested and held in custody for two years before taking a dangerous sea voyage and spending another two years under house arrest in Rome, with likely another year traveling in between.
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“Acts 20:36” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 20:36 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 20:36
36 When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
