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 20
1And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
2And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece.
3And when he had spent three months there, and a plot was laid against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
4And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas.
6And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we tarried seven days.
7And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.
8And there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together.
9And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, borne down with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, being borne down by his sleep he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.
10And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Make ye no ado; for his life is in him.
11And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little comforted.
13But we going before to the ship set sail for Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, intending himself to go by land.
14And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
15And sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus.
16For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
17And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.
18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time,
19serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews;
20how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house,
21testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.
26Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
28Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.
29I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
30and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.
32And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
33I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.
37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,
38sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship.
