The Book of Acts bridges the Gospels and the Epistles, showing how the church was born and spread throughout the Roman world. Written by Luke as a sequel to his Gospel, Acts chronicles the first thirty years of church history.
The Key Verse
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." — Acts 1:8
This verse provides the outline for the entire book.
Pentecost (Acts 2)
Fifty days after the resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended on the gathered believers. Peter preached, and 3,000 people were saved. The church was born!
Key features of the early church:
- Apostles' teaching
- Fellowship
- Breaking of bread
- Prayer
- Sharing possessions
- Daily growth
The Jerusalem Church (Acts 1-7)
The apostles performed miracles, preached boldly, and faced persecution. Stephen became the first martyr, his death scattering the believers and spreading the gospel.
The Gospel Spreads (Acts 8-12)
- Philip preaches in Samaria and to the Ethiopian eunuch
- Saul is converted on the Damascus road
- Peter preaches to Cornelius, opening the door to Gentiles
- The church in Antioch becomes a missionary center
Paul's Missionary Journeys (Acts 13-28)
First Journey (Acts 13-14)
Paul and Barnabas travel through Cyprus and Asia Minor, establishing churches among Jews and Gentiles.
Second Journey (Acts 15-18)
Paul takes the gospel to Europe, planting churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus.
Third Journey (Acts 18-21)
Paul strengthens the churches and collects an offering for Jerusalem.
Journey to Rome (Acts 27-28)
Despite shipwreck and opposition, Paul reaches Rome where he preaches the gospel under house arrest.
Lessons from Acts
- The Spirit empowers - We cannot fulfill God's mission in our own strength
- Prayer precedes power - The early church prayed continually
- Opposition accelerates growth - Persecution spread the gospel further
- The gospel crosses barriers - Cultural, racial, and social walls crumble before Christ
"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." — Acts 2:42