Acts study section

Acts chapter summaries

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Chapter list

Chapters 1–7

Witnesses in Jerusalem

The ascension and the day of Pentecost, the birth and rapid growth of the church, the apostles’ bold witness under persecution, and the martyrdom of Stephen.

  • Chapter 1 (c. AD 30): The risen Jesus commissions the apostles and ascends; the disciples pray and choose Matthias to replace Judas.
  • Chapter 2 (c. AD 30): The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost; Peter preaches, and about three thousand are added to the church.
  • Chapter 3 (c. AD 30): Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple, and Peter preaches Christ to the astonished crowd.
  • Chapter 4 (c. AD 30): The apostles are arrested and boldly testify that salvation is found in no other name; the church prays and shares all things.
  • Chapter 5 (c. AD 30): Ananias and Sapphira are judged; the apostles are imprisoned, freed, and continue to preach with joy.
  • Chapter 6 (c. AD 31): Seven are chosen to serve the widows, and Stephen, full of grace and power, is seized by opponents.
  • Chapter 7 (c. AD 31): Stephen recounts Israel’s history, indicts his hearers, and is stoned, becoming the first martyr, as Saul looks on.

Chapters 8–12

Judea and Samaria

The scattered church spreads the gospel; Philip preaches in Samaria and to the Ethiopian; Saul is converted; and Peter’s vision and the conversion of Cornelius open the door to the Gentiles, with a new base at Antioch.

  • Chapter 8 (c. AD 31): The scattered church spreads the word; Philip preaches in Samaria and leads an Ethiopian official to Christ.
  • Chapter 9 (c. AD 33): Saul is confronted by the risen Christ on the Damascus road, is converted, and begins to preach Jesus.
  • Chapter 10 (c. AD 37): Peter’s vision and the conversion of Cornelius open the gospel to the Gentiles, who receive the Spirit.
  • Chapter 11 (c. AD 38): Peter defends the Gentile mission, and the church at Antioch is founded, where believers are first called Christians.
  • Chapter 12 (c. AD 44): Herod kills James and imprisons Peter, who is freed by an angel; Herod is struck down.

Chapters 13–20

To the Ends of the Earth (Paul’s Journeys)

Paul’s three missionary journeys carry the gospel across Cyprus, Asia Minor, and Greece, while the Jerusalem Council settles that Gentiles are saved by grace.

  • Chapter 13 (c. AD 47): The Spirit sends Barnabas and Saul from Antioch on the first journey; Paul preaches Christ in Pisidian Antioch.
  • Chapter 14 (c. AD 47): Paul and Barnabas preach, are mistaken for gods and then stoned at Lystra, and strengthen the new churches.
  • Chapter 15 (c. AD 49): The Jerusalem Council affirms that Gentiles are saved by grace, not by keeping the law of Moses.
  • Chapter 16 (c. AD 50): On the second journey Paul crosses to Macedonia; Lydia believes, and the Philippian jailer is saved.
  • Chapter 17 (c. AD 50): Paul preaches in Thessalonica and Berea, and to the philosophers at the Areopagus in Athens.
  • Chapter 18 (c. AD 51): Paul ministers eighteen months in Corinth, then returns to Antioch, beginning the third journey.
  • Chapter 19 (c. AD 54): Paul’s powerful ministry in Ephesus, where the word prevails against magic and idolatry, sparks a riot.
  • Chapter 20 (c. AD 57): Paul travels through Macedonia and Greece and gives a moving farewell to the Ephesian elders at Miletus.

Chapters 21–28

Paul’s Arrest and Journey to Rome

Arrested in Jerusalem, Paul defends the faith before governors and King Agrippa, appeals to Caesar, survives shipwreck, and reaches Rome, preaching boldly to the end.

  • Chapter 21 (c. AD 57): Paul goes to Jerusalem despite warnings, is seized in the temple, and is rescued by Roman soldiers.
  • Chapter 22 (c. AD 57): Paul recounts his conversion and call to the crowd, who turn hostile when he speaks of the Gentiles.
  • Chapter 23 (c. AD 57): Paul divides the council, and a plot on his life leads to his transfer to Governor Felix at Caesarea.
  • Chapter 24 (c. AD 57): Paul defends himself before Felix, who leaves him imprisoned for two years, hoping for a bribe.
  • Chapter 25 (c. AD 59): Before Festus, Paul appeals to Caesar; Festus consults King Agrippa about the case.
  • Chapter 26 (c. AD 59): Paul gives his defense before Agrippa, testifying to his conversion and his mission to the Gentiles.
  • Chapter 27 (c. AD 59): Paul sails for Rome and endures a violent storm and shipwreck, through which God preserves all aboard.
  • Chapter 28 (c. AD 60): Paul reaches Rome after wintering on Malta, and preaches the kingdom of God with boldness and without hindrance.

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