Exploring Acts: A Chapter-by-Chapter Reflection

The book of Acts is the bridge between the gospels and the epistles in God’s Word. It was most likely written by Luke in 60-65 A.D. and written to Theophilus. We are never told who specifically Theophilus is, but it is an honorary title so it was clearly someone of high authority during that time. Most likely, he was Luke’s benefactor that enabled Luke to travel and write about Jesus and the early church foundation.

Acts is generally split between following Peter’s missionary work up until chapter 12, and then following Paul’s transformation and ministry from there. The book of Acts spends a lot of detail on what happened after Jesus was resurrected, appeared to the apostles, ascended to heaven, and sent the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is a main theme throughout these 28 chapters.

This book records the establishment of the church and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Even though we’re reading about the acts of Peter and Paul, we know that ultimately it is the Holy Spirit that is doing the work of salvation and the foundation of the church of Christ.

Let’s take a quick walk through the chapters of Acts to see how the church was formed through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter Summaries of Acts

Chapter 1: Luke explains to Theophilus the ascension of Jesus and that they are awaiting the Holy Spirit. He also tells us how Matthias is chosen to replace Judas Iscariot as part of the 12 apostles.

Chapter 2: The Holy Spirit has descended upon the apostles, and Peter declares that the prophecies of Joel and David have come to pass. He tells the crowd that they must “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (verse 38). Three thousand people are saved, and “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (verse 47).

Chapter 3: Peter and John go to the Jerusalem church and, through the Holy Spiri,t help a lame man walk. The people at the temple are amazed, and Peter tells them it was all done through the name of Jesus Christ and that they should “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” (verse 19).

Chapter 4: About five thousand people became believers after Peter’s sermon. Then, Peter and John are arrested for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Peter speaks boldly to the authorities about his belief in Jesus Christ, but the authorities tell them “not to speak or teach at all in this name” (verse 18). Gathering together with friends, they pray for boldness to continue to speak the word of God to those who are against the Lord. 

Chapter 5: The apostles continue to heal people and perform miracles through the Holy Spirit. “And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” (verse 14). This leads the high priest to arrest all of the apostles, but an angel lets them out of prison and tells them to continue speaking God’s Word to the people. When confronted by the authorities again, they are beaten and told not to talk of Jesus again, but the apostles continue to share God’s Word.

Chapter 6: “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” (verse 7)

Chapter 7: Stephen, a disciple, is falsely accused of blasphemy against God. Stephen explains to the authorities that they resist the Holy Spirit and that they betrayed and murdered the Righteous One. The authorities stoned Stephen for his words.

Chapter 8: Here we meet Saul, who approved of Stephen’s execution, and goes on to persecute believers in Jerusalem. Early Christians scattered, and we learn about the disciple Philip’s ministry in Samaria and Gaza.

Chapter 9: Now we learn about Saul’s transformation from persecuting disciples to becoming one. After Saul is filled with the Holy Spirit and is baptized, he begins to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God in the synagogues. Ironically, the Jews now plot to kill him, but the other disciples help him escape their grasp. We also hear more of Peter’s ministry and works.

Chapter 10: Peter and a man named Cornelius both have visions and are brought together so Peter could spread the Good News to the Gentiles. All the Gentiles who hear Peter speak are filled with the Holy Spirit and are baptized.

Chapter 11: More and more Gentiles are filled with the Holy Spirit, “And in Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians” (verse 26).

Chapter 12: Herod has Peter arrested, but an angel of the Lord frees him, and he escapes from the wrath of Herod. Herod is struck down by an angel of the Lord because he does not give God the glory He deserves. 

Chapter 13: Barnabas and Saul are sent out for ministry by the Holy Spirit. This is where we first hear Saul being called Paul. They spread the Gospe,l and eventually, the Jews drove them out of their district.

Chapter 14: Paul and Barnabas travel and share the good news of the Gospel. The Jews stone Paul, but he survive,s and they go on to appoint Elders in various churches.

Chapter 15: Paul and Barnabas go to the church in Jerusalem to correct false doctrine. Two prophets, Judas and Silas, deliver a letter to the Gentile believers to correct false doctrines with them. Then, Barnabas takes Mark and goes to revisit the churches in Cyprus. Paul takes Silas and goes to revisit the churches in Syria.

Chapter 16: Paul, Silas, and Timothy travel to Macedonia after Paul receives a vision from God to go there and spread the Gospel. Paul and Silas are beaten and sent to prison, but suddenly there is an earthquake that opens the jail and their bonds. The jailer is converted, and the magistrates let them go. 

Chapter 17: Paul and Silas visit Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens, sharing the Gospel.

Chapter 18: Then they travel to Corinth and stay for a year and a half teaching the Word of God. After that, Paul travels to many other places, including Galatia, preaching about Jesus Christ.

Chapter 19: Paul stays in Ephesus for three months and then in Tyrannus for two years. God is performing many miracles through Paul all throughout Asia.

Chapter 20: Paul travels to many places but vows to not enter Asia again after speaking to the Ephesian Elders. 

Chapter 21: Paul is warned not to go to Jerusalem in fear of persecution, but he goes anyway. Paul is attacked in the temple and arrested by the tribune. 

Chapter 22: Paul gives his testimony to the Tribune, but the crowd rejected him, and he was brought before the council. 

Chapter 23: The council is made up of the high priest, Sadducees, and Pharisees, who are all divided in their opinion against Paul. The tribune brings him back to the barracks, and that night the Lord speaks to Paul, telling him to go testify about Him in Rome. A group of people sought to kill Paul, so the tribune sent him to the Governor to be guarded until his accusers arrived. 

Chapter 24: Paul is accused of causing riots and profaning in the temple, and, even after Paul’s statement, he is left in prison.

Chapter 25: Paul is brought before the king to judge his case.

Chapter 26: Paul gives his testimony to the king.

Chapter 27: Paul is sent to Rome, still a prisoner, and the ship they travel on gets caught in a storm. An angel of God comes to Paul and tells them how to survive and make it to Rome which includes coming to an unknown land.

Chapter 28: The people of the land are hospitable, and Paul, through the power of Jesus Christ, heals many people there. After arriving in Rome, Paul gives his testimony. “He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Verses 30-31)

Final Thoughts

Without the book of Acts, we would leave the gospels and go straight to the epistles without knowing what happened between Jesus’ resurrection and the formation of His church. We wouldn’t know Paul’s story and would wonder why he speaks with such authority in the epistles or why the letters were written in the first place.

In a way, the book of Acts can be seen as a second volume of Luke’s gospel. It continues the story for us and propels us forward to the one true church that we are part of today. Acts shows us that Jesus has been sovereignly ruling since his resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit. The book also shows us how to spread the gospel in the Spirit and continue to grow His church.