Acts

History · New Testament · Luke the Physician · c. 80–90 CE

The Book of Acts narrates the origins and early spread of Christianity, from its beginnings in Jerusalem to its reach into the wider Roman Empire, culminating in Paul's ministry in Rome. It highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering the apostles, particularly Peter and Paul, as they establish communities and navigate theological transitions. The narrative charts the shift of the early church from a primarily Jewish movement to a multi-ethnic, Gentile-inclusive community.

28 chapters

• 1Acts 1Jesus ascends to heaven, and the apostles return to Jerusalem where Matthias is chosen to replace Judas as the twelfth apostle.
• 2Acts 2The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost, prompting Peter to preach to the crowds, resulting in three thousand converts joining the church.
• 3Acts 3Peter heals a lame beggar at the temple gate, attracting a crowd that he addresses by preaching about Jesus's resurrection.
• 4Acts 4Jewish leaders arrest Peter and John, who boldly defend their ministry, after which the believers pray and share all possessions.
• 5Acts 5Ananias and Sapphira die, and the apostles are arrested but miraculously freed, subsequently defending their faith before the Sanhedrin.
• 6Acts 6Seven men are chosen to serve food, and Stephen, full of grace and power, is arrested on false blasphemy charges.
• 7Acts 7Stephen delivers a long speech recounting Israel's history before the Sanhedrin and is stoned to death, becoming the first Christian martyr.
• 8Acts 8Persecution scatters the church, Philip preaches in Samaria, confronts Simon the sorcerer, and baptizes an Ethiopian eunuch on the road.
• 9Acts 9Jesus confronts Saul on the road to Damascus, leading to his conversion, while Peter heals Aeneas and raises Dorcas.
• 10Acts 10Peter's vision leads him to preach to the Gentile centurion Cornelius, whose household receives the Holy Spirit and is baptized.
• 11Acts 11Peter defends preaching to Gentiles in Jerusalem, and the gospel spreads to Antioch, where believers are first called Christians.
• 12Acts 12King Herod persecutes the church, Peter is miraculously released from prison by an angel, and Herod dies under divine judgment.
• 13Acts 13Barnabas and Paul are sent on their first missionary journey, preaching in Cyprus and Pisidian Antioch despite facing local opposition.
• 14Acts 14Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, surviving violent opposition before returning to Antioch to strengthen the churches.
• 15Acts 15The Jerusalem Council determines that Gentile believers do not need circumcision, after which Paul and Barnabas split over John Mark.
• 16Acts 16Paul recruits Timothy, travels to Macedonia, baptizes Lydia, and is imprisoned with Silas in Philippi before converting their jailer.
• 17Acts 17Paul preaches in Thessalonica and Berea, then travels to Athens where he addresses Greek philosophers at the Areopagus.
• 18Acts 18Paul ministers in Corinth, stands before Gallio, and begins his third journey, while Priscilla and Aquila instruct Apollos in Ephesus.
• 19Acts 19Paul preaches in Ephesus, where he performs miracles, overcomes local exorcists, and sparks a riot led by silver-shrine craftsmen.
• 20Acts 20Paul travels to Troas, raises Eutychus from the dead, and delivers a poignant farewell address to the Ephesian elders.
• 21Acts 21Paul travels to Jerusalem despite prophetic warnings, visits temple elders, and is arrested by Roman soldiers after a Jewish mob riots.
• 22Acts 22Addressing the Jerusalem crowd, Paul recounts his conversion and calling, avoiding Roman scourging by asserting his citizenship.
• 23Acts 23Paul defends himself before the Sanhedrin, divides the council, and is secretly transferred to Caesarea to escape an assassination plot.
• 24Acts 24Paul defends his faith before Governor Felix, who keeps him imprisoned in Caesarea for two years until Festus succeeds him.
• 25Acts 25Paul appeals to Caesar when Governor Festus proposes a Jerusalem trial, and he is presented to King Agrippa for examination.
• 26Acts 26Paul defends his ministry before King Agrippa, recounting his conversion, and Agrippa concludes that Paul could have been set free.
• 27Acts 27While sailing to Rome, Paul and his companions endure a violent storm at sea, resulting in a shipwreck where everyone survives.
• 28Acts 28After surviving Malta, Paul arrives in Rome, where he preaches the kingdom of God under house arrest to all who visit.