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).
For a more detailed explanation select the link below.
The Book of Acts Summary
Summary of the Book of Acts – Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org
Context Summary
Acts 21:7–16 records Paul and his companions stopping in Caesarea Maritima. They are there briefly with the evangelist Philip before finally arriving in Jerusalem. For months, now, the Holy Spirit has warned Paul that when he reaches Jerusalem, he will be imprisoned and afflicted (Acts 20:22–23). The church in Tyre tried to stop him from going; the church in Caesarea will beg him. Paul reorients their concerns: Jesus comes first and if Jesus wants him to be imprisoned, he will serve his Savior in prison. The Holy Spirit’s influence is meant to prepare Paul, not discourage him.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Acts 21:13 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 21:13 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 21:13
13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Context Summary
Acts 21:7–16 records Paul and his companions stopping in Caesarea Maritima. They are there briefly with the evangelist Philip before finally arriving in Jerusalem. For months, now, the Holy Spirit has warned Paul that when he reaches Jerusalem, he will be imprisoned and afflicted (Acts 20:22–23). The church in Tyre tried to stop him from going; the church in Caesarea will beg him. Paul reorients their concerns: Jesus comes first and if Jesus wants him to be imprisoned, he will serve his Savior in prison. The Holy Spirit’s influence is meant to prepare Paul, not discourage him.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Acts 21:14 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 21:14 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 21:14
14 When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The Lord’s will be done.”
Context Summary
Acts 22:1–5 begins Paul’s defense against false rumors he brought a Gentile into the temple. He reminds the crowd how much he formerly hated Jesus-followers. Gamaliel, the great Pharisee rabbi, trained Paul in the strict ways of the law. Paul embodied that training by chasing down Christians and imprisoning them. In fact, he chased them far from Jerusalem—as far as Damascus. The incidents described in the early part of Paul’s speech are also explained in Acts 9:1–2.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Acts 22:4 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 22:4 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 22:4-5
4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.
Context Summary
Acts 22:6–16 continues Paul’s defense against accusations that he both breaks the Mosaic law and associates with Gentiles. He has described his early life training to be a Pharisee and persecuting the church (Acts 22:3–5). Now, he explains how he came to follow Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. His accusers show polite interest in his story until he arrives at the point in the narrative where Jesus tells him to give Gentiles the way of salvation. Paul’s conversion experience is also recorded in Acts 9:1–19 and reiterated in Acts 26:12–18.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Acts 22:16 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 22:16 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 22:16
16 Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
Context Summary
Acts 23:1–11 records a Roman military tribune’s last effort to uncover why a mob attacked Paul. The crowd dragged him out of the temple and beat him mercilessly (Acts 21:27–33). The tribune asks the Sanhedrin for help, but there are too many divisions. The Sanhedrin can’t abide Christians. Paul can’t fathom their rejection of Jesus. The Sadducees and Pharisees quickly fall into an old fight about the resurrection of the dead. The tribune takes Paul back to the barracks where, that night, Jesus tells Paul he’s on his way to Rome.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Acts 23:1 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 23:1 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 23:1
Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.”
Context Summary
Acts 23:1–11 records a Roman military tribune’s last effort to uncover why a mob attacked Paul. The crowd dragged him out of the temple and beat him mercilessly (Acts 21:27–33). The tribune asks the Sanhedrin for help, but there are too many divisions. The Sanhedrin can’t abide Christians. Paul can’t fathom their rejection of Jesus. The Sadducees and Pharisees quickly fall into an old fight about the resurrection of the dead. The tribune takes Paul back to the barracks where, that night, Jesus tells Paul he’s on his way to Rome.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Acts 23:11 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 23:11 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 23:11
11 The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”
Context Summary
Acts 24:10–21 is Paul’s defense against the Sanhedrin’s testimony before Governor Felix. The Sanhedrin’s lawyer has accused Paul of starting riots and trying to profane the temple (Acts 24:5–6). Paul points out they have no proof and no witnesses. The issue is about the fact that he follows Jesus as the Jewish Messiah and believes in the resurrection of the dead. Felix, who knows quite a bit about Christianity, understands, but he doesn’t want to upset the Jewish leaders, so he keeps Paul in custody for the remainder of his term (Acts 24:27).
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Acts 24:15 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 24:15 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 24:14-15
14 But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; 15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Context Summary
Acts 24:22–27 begins Paul’s two-year incarceration in Caesarea Maritima. Governor Felix knows the Sanhedrin’s accusations are false. Yet, politics get in the way of justice: it’s more expedient to placate the Jewish leaders than set one man free. Paul stays under a relaxed form of house arrest and occasionally speaks with Felix, who would prefer a bribe to Paul’s convicting discussions. Two years later, Festus replaces Felix and shows no sign of letting Paul go. Finally, Paul resorts to appealing his case to a higher court (Acts 25:10–12). He’ll get to Rome one way or another.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Acts 24:24 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 24:24 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 24:24
24 But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
Verse Acts 25:12.
Conferred with the council] From this circumstance, we may learn that the appeal of Paul to Caesar was conditional; else Festus could not have deliberated with his council whether it should be granted; for he had no power to refuse to admit such an appeal. We may, therefore, understand Paul thus: “I now stand before a tribunal where I ought to be judged; if thou refuse to hear and try this cause, rather than go to Jerusalem, I appeal to Caesar.” Festus, therefore, consulted with the council, whether he should proceed to try the cause, or send Paul to Rome; and it appears that the majority were of opinion that he should be sent to Caesar.
Hast thou appealed unto Caesar, c.] Rather, Thou hast appealed unto Caesar, and to Caesar thou shalt go. The Jews were disappointed of their hope and Festus got his hand creditably drawn out of a business with which he was likely to have been greatly embarrassed.
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Acts 25:12
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”
Context Summary
Acts 25:13–22 relates how the new governor, Festus, draws King Agrippa II into his conundrum. Festus wants to be on good terms with the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, but they want to try Paul for crimes that are obviously baseless. While Festus ponders what to do, Paul appeals his case to Caesar (Acts 25:1–12). But Festus can’t send Paul to Rome without formal charges. Agrippa is intrigued and agrees to hear what Paul has to say.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
Acts 25:19 Bibleref.com
What does Acts 25:19 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 25:18-19
18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charges against him of such things as I supposed; 19 but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Context Summary
Acts 26:12–23 is Paul’s testimony to King Agrippa II, Governor Festus, and the leaders of Caesarea Maritima, of how he started following Jesus. The audience wants to determine if Paul broke a law. Paul wants to offer reconciliation with God. Paul describes how he met Jesus on his way to persecute Christians in Damascus and accepted Jesus’ commission to spread His offer of forgiveness to Jews and Gentiles. It is for this reason that the Sanhedrin wants him dead, not because he committed a crime. Paul’s conversion is recorded in Acts 9:1–19.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
Acts 26:23 BibleRef.com
What does Acts 26:23 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 26:22-23
22 Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen, 23 how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles.”
Verse Acts 26:29.
I would to God, c.] Ευξαιμην αν τῳ Θεῳ, και εν ολιγῳ και εν πολλῳ – So fully am I persuaded of the infinite excellence of Christianity, and so truly happy am I in possession of it, that I most ardently wish that not only thou, but this whole council, were not only almost, but altogether, such as I am, these CHAINS excepted. Thus, while his heart glows with affection for their best interests, he wishes that they might enjoy all his blessings, if possible, without being obliged to bear any cross on the account. His holding up his chain, which was probably now detached from the soldier’s arm, and wrapped about his own, must have made a powerful impression on the minds of his audience. Indeed, it appears they could bear the scene no longer the king was overwhelmed, and rose up instantly, and so did the rest of the council, and went immediately aside; and, after a very short conference among themselves, they unanimously pronounced him innocent; and his last word, των δεσμων, BONDS! and the action with which it was accompanied, had made such a deep impression upon their hearts that they conclude their judgment with that very identical word δεσμων. Would to God, says the apostle, that all who hear me this day were altogether such as as I am, except these BONDS! The whole council say-This man hath done nothing worthy of death nor of BONDS! δεσμων, BONDS, is echoed by them from the last words of the apostle; as we may plainly perceive that, seeing such an innocent and eminent man suffering such indignity had made a deep impression upon their hearts. Alas! why should such a man be in B-O-N-D-S!
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Acts 26:29
29 Paul said, “I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me today, might become such as I am, except for these bonds.”
Verse Acts 27:20.
Neither sun nor stars in many days appeared — And consequently they could make no observation; and, having no magnetical needle, could not tell in what direction they were going.
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Acts 27:20
20 When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved was now taken away.
Context Summary
Acts 27:21–26 again shifts attention to Paul. He, Luke, and Aristarchus are on a grain ship in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. They’re supposed to be on their way to Rome. Winter winds blew them off course and a fierce storm threatened to push them to a dangerous series of underwater reefs near Africa. At first, Paul thought they all might die. But he has prayed for the lives of the sailors, soldiers, and passengers onboard, and God has promised that although the ship and cargo will be lost, everyone will survive.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
BibleRef.com Acts 27:25
What does Acts 27:25 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 27:25
25 Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me. 26 But we must run aground on a certain island.”
Context Summary
Acts 28:30–31 is Luke’s epilogue to the book of Acts. Paul is under house arrest, awaiting trial before Caesar for crimes he didn’t commit. He spends his time teaching anyone who is willing to visit him and writing to some of the churches he has planted over the years. Luke gives us no details. After two years, Paul is released. We have some of Paul’s letters from after that time that infer he went on another missionary journey before being arrested again and condemned to die (2 Timothy 4:6–7). Tradition says he was beheaded in AD 67.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
BibleRef.com Acts 28:30
What does Acts 28:30 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 28:30-31
30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him, 31 preaching God’s Kingdom, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
(31) No man forbidding him.—
The fact is interesting as showing the attitude of the Roman empire to the new faith. So far, even under Nero, it was tolerant, and even though the “sect” of the Christians was “everywhere spoken against,” a leading teacher of that sect was allowed free room to propagate his views. The rulers of the empire were not as yet alarmed at the thought of the wide-spread secret organisation of the Christian Society, and the influence of Seneca and Burrus may not have been without its share in this policy of toleration. The history closes somewhat abruptly. It may have been the intention of the writer to continue his narrative. It is a natural inference that when he closed it the two years had expired, or were on the point of expiring; that he, who had remained with the Apostle during his imprisonment, started with him on his eastward journey afterwards; and that some incidents to us unknown, hindered him from completing the work which he had begun. It is possible, on the other hand, that Theophilus, as an Italian convert (see Introduction), may have known what had passed in Rome during the Apostle’s first sojourn there, or subsequently, and that St. Luke did not aim at more than setting before his friend the stages by which St. Paul had been brought to the imperial city.
Charles J Ellicott Bible Commentary
Acts 28:31
31 preaching God’s Kingdom, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
