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.
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Chapter 15
1And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.
5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.
6And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.
7And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;
9and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
10Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.
12And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.
13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:
14Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:
17That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,
18Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.
19Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God;
20but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
21For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.
22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:
24Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;
25it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth.
28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.
30So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.
31And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
33And after they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth.
34Now Silas decided to stay there.
35But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare.
37And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark.
38But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus;
40but Paul choose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.
41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.