BIBLE BOOK GUIDE
Acts
28 chapters
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles to establish and expand the church of Christ from Jerusalem to Rome.
Acts
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Why this book was written
Luke wrote Acts as a sequel to his Gospel, recording the history of the Spirit's outpouring, the church's birth, and the gospel's spread to Rome, proving that salvation extends from Jews to Gentiles. Addressed to Theophilus and early believers, it strengthens their faith and presents Christianity before the Roman world.
Structure
- 1–2The Spirit's Coming and the Birth of the Church
- 3–7The Growing Church in Jerusalem
- 8–12The Gospel Spreads to Samaria and the Gentiles
- 13–20Paul's Missionary Journeys
- 21–28Paul in Jerusalem, Caesarea, and on to Rome
Major themes
The Power of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit descends at Pentecost, empowers, guides, and inspires the disciples to preach the gospel throughout the book.
The Expansion of the Gospel
From Jerusalem, through Judea and Samaria, to the ends of the earth—Rome—the gospel crosses geographical and ethnic boundaries.
Salvation for Jews and Gentiles
God's promises are fulfilled for all peoples; Peter's and Paul's sermons show that salvation by faith is open to everyone.
Witness to the Risen Christ
The apostles are witnesses of Jesus' resurrection, proclaiming His death and resurrection as the heart of redemption.
The Church and Boldness under Persecution
Facing persecution, imprisonment, and opposition, the disciples preach boldly, and the church thrives.
God's Providence and Sovereignty
Despite obstacles, God's purpose prevails—Paul ultimately reaches Rome.
How it points to Christ
Though Acts does not record Jesus teaching on earth, it exalts the risen, ascended Christ throughout: He is the promised Messiah, the only way of salvation; the Spirit comes in His name; the apostles preach, heal, and forgive in His name. The book shows Christ continuing His work through the Spirit in the church, advancing His kingdom to the ends of the earth.
Key verses
- 1:8Jesus declares the Spirit's coming and the mission of witness—the book's theme verse.
- 2:1–4The Spirit descends at Pentecost; the church is born, marking a new era.
- 2:38–39Peter proclaims the promise of repentance, baptism, and the Spirit, for all.
- 4:12Salvation is found in no one else—the church's core declaration.
- 13:46–47Paul turns to the Gentiles; God's salvation reaches all peoples.
- 15:7–11The Jerusalem Council confirms Gentiles are saved by faith, not by circumcision.
- 16:31Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and your household.
- 20:28The Spirit appoints elders to shepherd the church purchased with God's own blood.
Films & series on Acts
Each has a guide: scripture sources, where it departs from the Bible, discussion questions, and where to watch

Paul, Apostle of Christ
Film · 2018
Luke risks his life to visit Paul in a Roman prison, where the apostle awaits execution under Nero. As Paul reflects on his past and the Christian community faces persecution, Luke resolves to record the story of the early church.

A.D. The Bible Continues
Series · 2015
"A.D. The Bible Continues" picks up where the smash hit miniseries "The Bible" left off, continuing the greatest story ever told and exploring the exciting and inspiring events that followed the Crucifixion of Christ. The immediate aftermath of Christ's death had a massive impact on his disciples, his mother, Mary, and key political and religious leaders of the era, completely altering the entire world in an instant. Beginning at that fateful moment of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, "A.D. The Bible Continues" will focus on the disciples who had to go forward and spread the teachings of Christ to a world dominated by political unrest, and the start of a whole new religion that would dramatically reshape the history of the world.

Peter and Paul
Series · 1981
Peter and Paul assume leadership of the Church as they struggle against violent opposition to the teachings of Christ and their own personal conflicts.
Reflections on Acts
People in this book
Questions for reflection
- ·How is the Holy Spirit's presence and power manifested in my life? Am I willing to be sent by the Lord like the apostles?
- ·What marks of the church do I see in Acts? How do they compare with today's church and my own community?
- ·When my faith faces opposition or loss, can I preach boldly in the Lord like Paul?
- ·Has the gospel broken through my 'Jerusalem'—my comfort zone—into unfamiliar groups?
- ·God exercises providence in history—do I discern His guidance and purpose in my life?
Want to read Acts start to finish? Open the reader for parallel Chinese/English text and ask anything as you go.
Start reading ActsActs
Chapter 11
1Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
2And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
3saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
4But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,
5I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:
6upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.
7And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.
8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.
9But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.
10And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me.
12And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house:
13and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.
15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
17If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?
18And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.
19They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.
20But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.
22And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:
23who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord:
24for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul;
26and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
27Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius.
29And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea:
30which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
