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 1:1–11 fulfills Jesus’ teaching that for the Holy Spirit to come, He must return to heaven (John 16:7). After the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus spent forty days showing Himself to His believers to prove that resurrection and give them instructions. Now, it is time for Jesus’ earthly ministry to end and the Holy Spirit’s to come into full effect (John 16:8–14). Acts 1:1–11 is an expanded account of Luke 24:50–53; it is also part of a larger section of Acts that describes the ministry of the twelve apostles as they establish the church in Jerusalem (Acts 1—7).
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“Acts 1:5 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 1:5 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 1:5
5 For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Context Summary
Acts 1:1–11 fulfills Jesus’ teaching that for the Holy Spirit to come, He must return to heaven (John 16:7). After the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus spent forty days showing Himself to His believers to prove that resurrection and give them instructions. Now, it is time for Jesus’ earthly ministry to end and the Holy Spirit’s to come into full effect (John 16:8–14). Acts 1:1–11 is an expanded account of Luke 24:50–53; it is also part of a larger section of Acts that describes the ministry of the twelve apostles as they establish the church in Jerusalem (Acts 1—7).
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“Acts 1:8 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 1:8 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 1:8
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
Context Summary
Acts 1:1–11 fulfills Jesus’ teaching that for the Holy Spirit to come, He must return to heaven (John 16:7). After the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus spent forty days showing Himself to His believers to prove that resurrection and give them instructions. Now, it is time for Jesus’ earthly ministry to end and the Holy Spirit’s to come into full effect (John 16:8–14). Acts 1:1–11 is an expanded account of Luke 24:50–53; it is also part of a larger section of Acts that describes the ministry of the twelve apostles as they establish the church in Jerusalem (Acts 1—7).
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“Acts 1:9 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 1:9 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 1:9
9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Acts 2:1–13 finds Jesus’ followers waiting in a house in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit, as Jesus instructed (Acts 1:4, 12–15). The Holy Spirit comes, not only establishing His presence in each individual permanently, but equipping them as needed to spread the news that Jesus forgives sins and reconciles sinners to God. Jews from all over the Roman Empire, in Jerusalem for Pentecost, hear the message in their own languages. Some are derisive, but others are very interested in what the apostles are saying.
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“Acts 2:4” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 2:4 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 2:4
4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
Acts 2:37–41 shows the first mass influx of people into the church. Men in Jerusalem for Pentecost from across the Roman Empire and beyond are startled to find 120 Galileans speaking their native languages (Acts 2:1–13). Peter uses passages from Joel and Psalms to support his points on several ideas: that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Jews had Him killed, God raised Him from the dead, and His resurrection provides hope of forgiveness for His followers (Acts 2:14–36). The crowd is stunned and reacts in the only logical way possible, asking, ”What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter explains their need for salvation, and thousands respond.
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“Acts 2:38” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 2:38 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 2:38
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(Read Acts 2:42-47)
In these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, of the first days of it; its state of infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in piety and devotion; for Christianity, when admitted in the power of it, will dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has appointed us to meet him, and has promised to meet us. The greatness of the event raised them above the world, and the Holy Ghost filled them with such love, as made every one to be to another as to himself, and so made all things common, not by destroying property, but doing away selfishness, and causing charity. And God who moved them to it, knew that they were quickly to be driven from their possessions in Judea. The Lord, from day to day, inclined the hearts of more to embrace the gospel; not merely professors, but such as were actually brought into a state of acceptance with God, being made partakers of regenerating grace. Those whom God has designed for eternal salvation, shall be effectually brought to Christ, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of his glory.
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Acts 2 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)
Acts 2:42
42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
Context Summary
Acts 3:1–10 illustrates one of the ”wonders and signs” the apostles performed after receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:43). The setting is completely mundane. As Jews, Peter and John go to the temple to pray and find a lame beggar they wish to help. As specially-empowered followers of Jesus, healing the man comes second nature. The act validates Peter’s status as witness to Jesus (Acts 1:8), and he is ready with an explanation that ties the event to Jesus’ call to repentance (Acts 3:11–26). This miracle, however, catches the attention of the Sanhedrin and starts the long road of church persecution (Acts 4).
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“Acts 3:6” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 3:6 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 3:6
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”
Context Summary
Acts 13:13–15 describes how Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark leave Paphos on the southwest coast of Cyprus. They sail northwest to Perga, on the south-central coast of modern-day Asia Minor. In Perga, John Mark abandons them and returns to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas travel north to Pisidian Antioch and, as is their custom, attend the local synagogue and wait to be invited to speak.
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“Acts 3:14-15” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 13:14 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 3:14-15
14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses.
Context Summary
Acts 4:1–4 records the reaction to Peter’s bold claim that Jesus of Nazareth empowered him to heal a lame man (Acts 3). The Sadducees are less worried about the healing than they are Peter’s insistence that Jesus rose from the grave, as Sadducees didn’t believe in resurrection from the dead. The temple guards arrest Peter and John, but too late. Even more people decide to follow Jesus. The Sanhedrin should have taken this as a hint; the more you persecute the church, the more it spreads.
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“Acts 4:4” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 4:4 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 4:4
4 But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
Context Summary
Acts 4:5–12 covers Peter and John’s defense before the Sanhedrin—the ruling Jewish council. The priests and other Sadducees have arrested Peter and John because after they healed a lame man, they taught a crowd that Jesus rose from the dead (Acts 3). The Sadducees don’t believe resurrection is possible and really don’t want to hear that a dissident they had killed has come back to life. They ask how Peter got the power to heal the man. Peter tells them, not only is Jesus alive, He’s the Messiah of the Jews and the only path to salvation.
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“Acts 4:12” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 4:12 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 4:12
12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”
Context Summary
Acts 4:13–22 covers the reaction of the Sanhedrin to Peter’s convicting assertion: that he and John healed a lame man by the power of Jesus’ name. The Sanhedrin is frustrated to learn the followers of Jesus—the man they had killed—are in Jerusalem, healing and preaching and gathering more followers. The Sanhedrin wants them out of the way before they grow too popular. So they start slowly by forbidding Peter and John to teach about Jesus. It’s an apparent win-win: either these uneducated commoners will stop telling everyone about Jesus or they will disobey a direct order and be vulnerable to greater punishment.
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“Acts 4:19-20” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 4:19 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 4:19-20
19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves, 20 for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”
Context Summary
Acts 5:1–11 contains the unfortunate story of Ananias and Sapphira. While the story of Peter and John’s arrest by the Sadducees shows the beginning of problems outside the church (Acts 4), the account of Ananias and Sapphira reveals issues inside the church. As people listen to the witness of the apostles and come to a saving faith in Jesus, they donate what they have so that everyone in the church has what they need (Acts 4:32–37). Ananias and Sapphira want to join the wave of altruism, but not completely. God loves generosity, but not shallow performances which attempts to make a fool of Him and His people.
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“Acts 5:3” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 5:3 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 5:3
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Context Summary
Acts 5:12–16 gives a short update of the state of the early church in Jerusalem. The first chapters of Acts alternate between highlights of the activities of the apostles and short summaries of indefinite periods of time. As in Acts 2:43–47 and Acts 4:32–35, Luke glosses over the events here. People are a little leery because of Peter and John’s arrest by the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1–22) and God’s immediate judgment of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11), but both the miracles and the message are irresistible. Even more people come to saving faith in Jesus.
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“Acts 5:15” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 5:15 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 5:15
15 They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some of them.
Context Summary
Acts 6:1–7 sees the early church in Jerusalem solve a problem caused by their rapid growth. The church is comprised of Jews from traditionally Jewish lands as well as nations to the east and Roman territories around the Mediterranean. As more people follow Jesus, those who are able donate to the apostles to care for those in need. Greek-speaking widows are less familiar to the local believers, and so they are not getting the same amount of support as those who speak Aramaic. Instead of taking on one more responsibility, the apostles commission seven men to manage the donations. One of these men is Stephen.
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“Acts 6:3 ” Bibleref.com.
What does Acts 6:3 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 6:3
3 Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Context Summary
Acts 6:1–7 sees the early church in Jerusalem solve a problem caused by their rapid growth. The church is comprised of Jews from traditionally Jewish lands as well as nations to the east and Roman territories around the Mediterranean. As more people follow Jesus, those who are able donate to the apostles to care for those in need. Greek-speaking widows are less familiar to the local believers, and so they are not getting the same amount of support as those who speak Aramaic. Instead of taking on one more responsibility, the apostles commission seven men to manage the donations. One of these men is Stephen.
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“Acts 6:7 ” Bibleref.com.
What does Acts 6:7 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 6:7
7 The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Context Summary
Acts 7:54–60 finishes the story of the Jesus-follower Stephen. He has been falsely accused of blasphemy against God, Moses, the Mosaic law, and the temple (Acts 6:8–15). He has used the history of the Jews to show how over the years the Jews have come to worship Moses, the Law, and the temple like idols (Acts 7:1–53). His accusers are furious, but when Stephen claims to see Jesus standing next to God, the crowd goes mad, and Stephen becomes the first Christian martyr. His death sparks a great persecution against the church, but as the Jesus-followers flee Jerusalem, they take the gospel to the world (Acts 1:8).
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“Acts 7:55 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 7:55 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 7:55
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Context Summary
Acts 7:54–60 finishes the story of the Jesus-follower Stephen. He has been falsely accused of blasphemy against God, Moses, the Mosaic law, and the temple (Acts 6:8–15). He has used the history of the Jews to show how over the years the Jews have come to worship Moses, the Law, and the temple like idols (Acts 7:1–53). His accusers are furious, but when Stephen claims to see Jesus standing next to God, the crowd goes mad, and Stephen becomes the first Christian martyr. His death sparks a great persecution against the church, but as the Jesus-followers flee Jerusalem, they take the gospel to the world (Acts 1:8).
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“Acts 7:56 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 7:56 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 7:56
56 and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
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 8:20 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 8:20 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 8:20
20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
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 8:22 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 8:22 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 8:22
22 Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
Acts 9:1–9 tells the story of how the lead persecutor of the early church meets Jesus. Saul, who had arrested the Jesus-followers in Jerusalem (Act 7:58; 8:1–3), expands his terror outside of Judea and travels north to Damascus. Jesus stops Saul and reveals He is not only alive, He is glorified by the light of heaven. Saul is stunned—and blinded. His companions lead him into the city where he waits, without food or drink, for three day until Jesus’ messenger comes to tell him what to do. Saul goes into further detail in Acts 22:6–16 and 26:9–18.
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“Acts 9:5-6” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 9:5 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 9:5-6
5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.6 But rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do.”
Context Summary
Acts 9:10–19 explains how the greatest earthly enemy of the early church experienced a change of heart. Saul is a Pharisee-trained, Greek-speaking Jew and zealous persecutor of Christians (Acts 8:1–3). He asked for permission to hunt Jesus-followers in Damascus, but found Jesus, instead (Acts 9:1–9). Blinded by Jesus’ glory, he has been waiting in Damascus for Ananias, a Jesus-follower. Ananias arrives and participates as as Jesus heals Saul from both physical and spiritual blindness. Saul is baptized and takes physical nourishment. Saul stays in Damascus for some time and immediately takes his extensive training in Jewish Scripture to argue that Jesus is indeed the Messiah. The Sanhedrin’s hitman is now a target of his former allies.
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“Acts 9:16” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 9:16 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 9:16
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
Context Summary
Acts 10:1–8 introduces the first group of Gentiles to receive the Holy Spirit. Cornelius is a Roman military leader stationed in Caesarea Maritima, the coastal city that serves as the headquarters for Herod Agrippa I. Cornelius is a devout follower of the Jewish God, although probably not a full proselyte. While praying one day, an angel appears and tells him God has heard his prayers and appreciates his charity. He is to send for Peter in Joppa and hear what the apostle has to say. What follows is the opening of the gospel to all Gentiles.
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“Acts 10:4 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 10:4 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 10:4
4 He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?” He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.
Context Summary
Acts 10:44–48 records the start of the international church. Peter is in Caesarea Maritima, sharing the story of Jesus with a houseful of Gentile God-followers. Before he is even finished presenting the gospel, the Holy Spirit falls on them. This is the only occasion in Acts where the Holy Spirit comes on people before they were baptized. This will rock the Jewish church to its core and prepare the way for Paul’s ministry (Acts 11).
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“Acts 10:44 ” Bibleref.com
What does Acts 10:44 mean? | BibleRef.com
Acts 10:44
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.
