Acts of the Apostles Summary
How It All Goes Down
The Short Story
Our story starts off where the Gospel of Luke left off—Jesus is back.
Now that he's resurrected, Jesus decides to hang out and chat with his disciples (whom Luke calls apostles) for forty days. The fun can't last forever, though, and Jesus ascends into Heaven on a cloud. What can we say? The guy knows how to make an exit.
What are the apostles supposed to do now? Luckily, Jesus left very specific instructions. First, they're to spread his message to the ends of the Earth. Second, they're supposed to pick up his dry cleaning. Jesus loves freshly laundered robes. Ok—not so much on that whole second part. Plus, the first part should keep them plenty busy.
So the apostles get to work. Peter takes the lead and they all preach and teach about how Jesus is the Jewish Messiah and the fulfillment of everything that Jewish scripture says will happen. Awesome, right? They also perform lots of miracles (your run-of-the-mill healing and raising from the dead… no biggie). Oh, and their preaching also makes the religious authorities in Judea very, very mad. Like master, like disciples. The whole crew gets arrested a couple times (luckily, angels break them out of prison—angels are crafty like that) and one of the disciples, Stephen, even gets stoned to death. It's a bad time to be a believer.
But because God likes irony, one of the guys involved in the death of Stephen gets converted (and blinded) when he's on his way to Damascus to persecute some more Christians. He changes his name to Paul and takes up the discipleship torch. Paul and some friends travel all around the Roman Empire talking about Jesus non-stop. He has all kinds of zany adventures. He's stoned, worshiped as a god, starts riots, and talks so long that people fall asleep. He's also pretty good at the whole spreading-the-word-of-God thing and he manages to set up churches in loads of different cities around the Empire. Go, Paul.
Meanwhile, back in Judea, there are issues. When Peter sees a vision from God, he realizes that Christians have got to branch out and start trying to convert Gentiles (i.e., non-Jews) as well as Jews. This is big. Like Mark Zuckerberg creating Facebook big. Paul thinks this is a swell idea, but he just wants to know one thing—do Gentile converts need to follow Jewish law and be circumcised? Because that's gonna make convincing the guys to join up a little bit harder.
Finally, Paul manages to tick off enough people and he's arrested when he comes back to Jerusalem to visit. This time, it's the Jewish people who are against him (they're mad about the whole you-don't-have-to-follow-Jewish-law-if-you're-Christian thing). The naysayers haul him before Roman authorities and Paul is tried and held as a prisoner for a really long time. We're talking years.
Finally, he gets tired of all the nonsense in Judea and asks to be shipped to Rome so he can take all this up with the emperor. Paul lands on Roman soil and is welcomed by the church there. He hangs out for a couple years, but we never find out what really happens. We've got a hunch it's not good, though. Poor Paul.
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Date: 15 August 2006 | Author: Dele Oke
Acts of the Apostles: Summary: Chapter by Chapter
The Acts of Apostles gives us a unique insight into how the Church began. To make the picture abundantly clear, God has given us a hand picked record of the activities of the Early Church.
There is no single chapter that does not exhibit God's power and wisdom in operation. Below is a very brief summary. It should leave you in no doubt of God's intention for His body.
Acts 1
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit (verse 8) to the disciples and ascends to heaven before their eyes. Matthias is chosen as an Apostle to replace Judas.
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit (verse 8) to the disciples and ascends to heaven before their eyes. Matthias is chosen as an Apostle to replace Judas.
Acts 2
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Peter gives an anointed and prophetic sermon. About 3,000 souls are added to the Church. Signs and wonders follow.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Peter gives an anointed and prophetic sermon. About 3,000 souls are added to the Church. Signs and wonders follow.
Acts 3
Peter and John are used by God to heal a lame man at the Beautiful Gate. Peter preaches under the anointing.
Peter and John are used by God to heal a lame man at the Beautiful Gate. Peter preaches under the anointing.
Acts 4
More people believe the word and are added to the Church (verse 4). Peter and John are arrested. They radiate the boldness of Christ. The Apostles are filled a fresh with the Holy Spirit (verse 31). The Apostles preach with great power.
More people believe the word and are added to the Church (verse 4). Peter and John are arrested. They radiate the boldness of Christ. The Apostles are filled a fresh with the Holy Spirit (verse 31). The Apostles preach with great power.
Acts 5
Ananias and Sapphira lie to Peter (and the Holy Spirit) and fall down dead. The Apostles display signs and wonders. The sick and those oppressed by evil spirits are healed (verse16).
The Apostles are arrested and released from prison by an angel (verse 18).
Ananias and Sapphira lie to Peter (and the Holy Spirit) and fall down dead. The Apostles display signs and wonders. The sick and those oppressed by evil spirits are healed (verse16).
The Apostles are arrested and released from prison by an angel (verse 18).
Acts 6
Stephen, full of faith and power does great wonders and signs among the people (verse 8).
Stephen, full of faith and power does great wonders and signs among the people (verse 8).
Acts 7
Stephen's anointed sermon. He sees Jesus standing on the right hand of the father. He becomes the first martyr.
Stephen's anointed sermon. He sees Jesus standing on the right hand of the father. He becomes the first martyr.
Acts 8
Simon the sorcerer is saved. Philip does miracles and signs. Peter and John go to preach in Samaria and the Holy Spirit falls on some people. The Holy Spirit leads Philip to the Eunuch from Ethiopia. The Eunuch is saved. The Holy Spirit carries Philip away to Azotus.
Acts 10
Cornelius sees a vision (1) Peter sees a vision (9) The Holy Spirit falls on Cornelius household.
Cornelius sees a vision (1) Peter sees a vision (9) The Holy Spirit falls on Cornelius household.
Acts 11
The disciples first called Christians at Antioch
Paul defends himself to the Apostles in Jerusalem. Barnabas is sent out. Many people added to the Lord. Agabus prophesies about a great famine throughout the entire world.
The disciples first called Christians at Antioch
Paul defends himself to the Apostles in Jerusalem. Barnabas is sent out. Many people added to the Lord. Agabus prophesies about a great famine throughout the entire world.
Acts 12
James is killed and Peter is arrested. An angel rescues Peter. The church goes into continuous prayer for Peter. Herod is struck by an angel and eaten by worms. God's word grows and multiplies (24).
James is killed and Peter is arrested. An angel rescues Peter. The church goes into continuous prayer for Peter. Herod is struck by an angel and eaten by worms. God's word grows and multiplies (24).
Acts 13
The Holy Spirit asks for Barnabas and Saul to be set aside for God's ministry. Here starts their first missionary journey (2). Saul now called Paul pronounces judgement on Elymas the sorcerer. Elymas goes blind for a time (11). John leaves Barnabas and Paul, returning to Jerusalem.
Many people added to the church through Paul and Barnabas' preaching.
The Holy Spirit asks for Barnabas and Saul to be set aside for God's ministry. Here starts their first missionary journey (2). Saul now called Paul pronounces judgement on Elymas the sorcerer. Elymas goes blind for a time (11). John leaves Barnabas and Paul, returning to Jerusalem.
Many people added to the church through Paul and Barnabas' preaching.
Acts 14
Signs and wonders done by Paul and Barnabas (3). They flee a violent attack. Paul heals lame man in Lystra crippled from birth. Paul stoned and left as dead, the disciple gather round him, pray and he revives (19).
Signs and wonders done by Paul and Barnabas (3). They flee a violent attack. Paul heals lame man in Lystra crippled from birth. Paul stoned and left as dead, the disciple gather round him, pray and he revives (19).
Acts 15
Certain men preach circumcision as a requirement for salvation. The Holy Spirit directs the apostles not to accept this (28). Paul and Barnabas set out for their second missionary journey (36)
Certain men preach circumcision as a requirement for salvation. The Holy Spirit directs the apostles not to accept this (28). Paul and Barnabas set out for their second missionary journey (36)
Acts 16
Paul meets Timothy, circumcises him and take him along on his missionary trip. Paul encourages the church. The church increases in number.
The Holy Spirit forbids Paul to preach in Asia (6) and in Bithynia (7). Paul receives vision to go to Macedonia (9). Lydia is saved (14). Evil spirit of divination cast out by Paul (18). Praise and worship release Paul and Silas from jail (v26). The jailer's household are saved (v33).
Paul meets Timothy, circumcises him and take him along on his missionary trip. Paul encourages the church. The church increases in number.
The Holy Spirit forbids Paul to preach in Asia (6) and in Bithynia (7). Paul receives vision to go to Macedonia (9). Lydia is saved (14). Evil spirit of divination cast out by Paul (18). Praise and worship release Paul and Silas from jail (v26). The jailer's household are saved (v33).
Acts 17
Greeks join Paul and Silas (v4). The Thessalonicans show a commendable desire to search the scriptures personally (v11). Many believe (v12) and several are saved (v34).
Greeks join Paul and Silas (v4). The Thessalonicans show a commendable desire to search the scriptures personally (v11). Many believe (v12) and several are saved (v34).
Acts 18
Paul makes tents (3). Many believe the gospel (8). Paul has a vision (9) Apollos is equipped (25). Paul sets out on third missionary journey (22)
Paul makes tents (3). Many believe the gospel (8). Paul has a vision (9) Apollos is equipped (25). Paul sets out on third missionary journey (22)
Acts 19
Some disciples receive baptism of the Holy Spirit for the first time. Paul does unusual miracles. Seven sons of Sceva try to cast out demons. Many saved. God's Word grows (18, 20). Demetrius causes riot.
Some disciples receive baptism of the Holy Spirit for the first time. Paul does unusual miracles. Seven sons of Sceva try to cast out demons. Many saved. God's Word grows (18, 20). Demetrius causes riot.
Acts 20
Eutychus raised from the dead (9) Paul exhorts brethren.
Eutychus raised from the dead (9) Paul exhorts brethren.
Acts 21
Paul warned not to go to Jerusalem by the Holy Spirit (4). Philip the evangelist has four daughter who prophesy (8) Agabus prophesies what will happen to Paul in Jerusalem (11) Paul beaten by a mob and arrested by soldiers.
Paul warned not to go to Jerusalem by the Holy Spirit (4). Philip the evangelist has four daughter who prophesy (8) Agabus prophesies what will happen to Paul in Jerusalem (11) Paul beaten by a mob and arrested by soldiers.
Acts 22
Paul tells of his conversion.
Paul tells of his conversion.
Acts 23
The Lord appears to Paul at night.
The Lord appears to Paul at night.
Acts 24
Felix touched by Paul's anointed speech (25).
Felix touched by Paul's anointed speech (25).
Acts 25
Paul witnesses to Agrippa (23).
Paul witnesses to Agrippa (23).
Acts 26
Agrippa perceives that Paul is innocent(30).
Agrippa perceives that Paul is innocent(30).
Acts 27
Paul warns shipmates of dangerous trip, but is ignored (9) An angel appears to Paul telling him about the trip (v23)
Paul warns shipmates of dangerous trip, but is ignored (9) An angel appears to Paul telling him about the trip (v23)
Acts 28
Paul survives vipers bite (4-3)
Paul heals someone with fever and dysentery (8)
Paul preached another anointed sermon and more believe the gospel (24)
Paul survives vipers bite (4-3)
Paul heals someone with fever and dysentery (8)
Paul preached another anointed sermon and more believe the gospel (24)
SOURCE:
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Acts of the Apostles: Summary & Themes
Instructor:
Tommi Waters
TK Waters has a bachelor's degree in literature and religious studies and a master's degree in religious studies and teaches Hebrew Bible at Western Kentucky University.
The Acts of the Apostles tell the story of the joy, suffering, and journeys across land and sea of the disciples and early Christians. Read this lesson to find out more about this exciting story.
Acts: Who, When, Why?
Who doesn't like sequels to their favorite books or movies? That is exactly what the Acts of the Apostles book is. Acts, as it is commonly called, is a second volume of the Gospel of Luke. Both were likely written by Luke, an early Christian who traveled with the apostle Paul. From what we can tell, Luke was probably a physician or doctor and was also a Gentile, or non-Jewish, Christian.
The gospel functions as the first volume of the set, detailing the story of Jesus - the founder of Christianity - while Acts functions as a second volume, telling the stories of the apostles, or messengers, of the founding figure. Scholars believe both volumes were written at the end of the second century CE - about 50 or more years after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Story of Acts
Acts covers some of the most important events that occur in the history of the Christian tradition. Luke gives a brief recap of his gospel, then moves on to discuss the reestablishment of the 12 disciples, adding Mattathias to replace Judas who had killed himself after betraying Jesus. The story then moves on to one of the central focuses of the book: the establishment of the church. The church, at least at this point, is essentially a community of people who follow Jesus. The disciple Peter becomes the founder of this church, according to Luke.
While there is some missionary activity, or spreading of the gospel, in early parts of Acts, the main missionary activity happens after the conversion of Paul, a Jew who encounters the risen Jesus while traveling to, ironically, persecute Christians. During Paul's time, the church flourishes and expands. Paul spreads the gospel to and begins churches in numerous cities across Greece, Italy, and Asia (as we label the areas today), preaching to and converting Jews as well as Gentiles. After his three missionary journeys, Paul travels to Rome, where he is put under house arrest. Luke ends here as Paul has successfully taken the gospel to the ''ends of the earth''.
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Themes of Acts
''To the Jew First''
Luke wraps up his book with Paul preaching under house arrest in Rome, but there is more to be discussed in Acts, particularly the important themes that underlie the book. The first of these is whom the gospel is taken to. The message of Acts is that, because Jesus was a Jew, the gospel should be presented first to Jews, then to Gentiles. Acts carries this theme throughout.
When Paul arrives in a new city, he goes to the synagogue, or Jewish house of worship, first and preaches there. The disciples also debate about whether Gentiles must convert to Judaism before becoming Christians or not. Did they have to follow Jewish laws, like eating kosher and circumcising males? This subject was the focus of the Jerusalem Council, a meeting of the apostles which - despite some disagreement - resulted in Gentiles being able to convert straight to Christianity and not follow Jewish law.
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