The book of Acts contains 28 chapters and 1,007 verses. In the New Testament it is tied with Matthew for the most chapters along with being the third biggest writing in term of verses. Its largest single chapter is Acts 7 with 60 verses.
Author, Date Written
Luke is the author of Acts. He wrote chapters 1 to 13 from 58 to 60 A.D. due to his access to the Apostle Paul who was a Roman prisoner in Caesarea.
In 63 A.D. Luke finished his book by writing chapters 14 to 28. It was in this year that Paul was acquitted of all the charges against him.
Time Period
The book of Acts begins with Jesus' ascension into heaven on May 18 of 30 A.D.
The book ends with the Apostle Paul being acquitted, in Rome, of the charges brought against him. Paul was released, after spending two years under house arrest (Acts 28:30), in the spring of 63 A.D.
Acts Chapter Outline
Chpt. 1: Luke opens Acts stating that Jesus, for forty days after his resurrection, appeared to many people. The disciples, on the day Christ ascended into heaven, are told to stay in Jerusalem until they are baptized by the Holy Spirit.
[Where Is the Mount of Olives Located?]
The disciples cast lots to determine who will fill Judas Iscariot's position among the apostles. Of the two men qualified to take his position, Barsabas and Matthias, it is Matthias who is chosen.
Chpt. 2: On Pentecost in 30 A.D., considered the birth of the New Testament church, the 120 disciples of Jesus meeting in Jerusalem are filled with God's spirit.
Peter stands up amongst the 120 and preaches repentance to those who witness the manifestation of God's power coming upon Jesus' followers. He also states that what occurred fulfilled Bible prophecy. Peter's message leads to about 3,000 people being baptized and becoming Christians.
God, even after Pentecost, continued calling people to repent and be baptized.
Chpt. 3: Peter, while walking with John into the temple, heals a well-known lame man who had begged for money each day. He then preaches to those who gathered after hearing about the wonderful miracle.
[Timeline of New Testament Miracles]
Chpt. 4: Peter's call to repentance leads, after a lame man was healed, to 5,000 more converts to Christianity. This healing, however, causes Peter and John to be arrested by the Sadducees. The next day they are brought before the Sanhedrin and asked by what power was the miracle performed.
Peter, inspired by God's Spirit, informs the Jewish religious leaders that it was through Jesus name that the lame man was made whole. After the Sanhedrin warns the men not to speak or teach in Jesus' name, a command which will be ignored, they release them.
The church, after the release of Peter and John, prays that God grants those he has converted the boldness needed to spread the gospel.
Chpt. 5: A couple named Ananias and Sapphire sells some property then lies about how much of it they were donating to the church. Their lie is detected, however, causing both of them to be struck dead by God.
God allows the unique miracle of Peter's shadow healing those it touches.
Jewish religious leaders, angered at the popularity of Christianity, arrest all the apostles and throw them in prison. An angel, however, frees them and allows them to continue preaching the gospel. The Sanhedrin brings them back into custody and demands to know why they continue to spread the truth.
Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this (Jesus') name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood (Jesus') upon us (Acts 5:28).
The apostles respond by declaring they are obligated to obey God rather than men. In spite of the wisdom of Gamaliel, who urges the apostles be left alone, the Sanhedrin have them beaten then sternly warned them yet again.
Chpt. 6: The apostles have the church pick seven spiritually mature men in order to handle the day-to-day needs of the new believers. One of the seven is a man named Stephen who, according to the Bible, worked wonders and great signs.
A group of Jews from Cilicia, as well as from other areas of the Roman Empire, begin to argue with Stephen over doctrine. Unable to counteract his arguments, they suborn men to falsely claim that Stephen committed blasphemy.
Stephen is arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin to answer the charges leveled against him.
Chpt. 7: Stephen gives a rather long address to the Sanhedrin. He first offers an overview of Israel's history from Abraham to King Solomon building the temple. As he reaches the end of his message he declares that Israel, including those he is talking to, have always lacked faith. His final comments are a powerful condemnation of the Jewish religious leaders by placing the killing of Jesus squarely on their shoulders!
[Design of Jerusalem's Temple]
Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it (Acts 7:52 - 53).
Those in the Sanhedrin become so enraged and furious at Stephen that they begin to gnash their teeth! They quickly form a lynch mob and, contrary to Roman law, stone Stephen to death.
Chpt. 8: The Bible introduces us to Saul, a young zealous Pharisee who witnessed and approved of Stephen's death. After Stephen is stoned he leads the first mass persecution of Christians by the Jews. His efforts scatter believers far and wide except for the apostles.
Philip's preaching of the gospel in Samaria, accompanied by signs and wonders, attracts a man named Simon Magus (Simon the sorcerer). Simon is mesmerized by the power displayed by Philip. When Peter and John show up in Samaria he sees the Holy Spirit given to those who have hands laid on them by the pair.
[What Is the Laying on of Hands?]
Simon soon approaches the two apostles and tries to buy the ability to give the Holy Spirit. His attempt receives a stern reprimand and a call to repentance by Peter.
Philip is told by an angel to travel southwest of Jerusalem. He there meets an Ethiopian eunuch, serving Queen Candace, who is journeying to worship in Jerusalem. Philip's explanation of the Bible verses related to Jesus' life and ministry leads to the eunuch being baptized.
Chpt. 9: Saul continues his persecutions of the early church. His zeal motivates him to request special permission from the High Priest to arrest anyone in a Damascus synagogue who believes in Jesus. His journey to Damascus interrupted by Jesus' voice from heaven asking why Saul is persecuting him!
Saul is told to complete his journey to Damascus. The appearance of the Lord blinds him to the point of needing assistance. In Damascus, after three days of fasting and repentance, a man visits Saul who both heals and baptizes him.
[Conspiracies Against Apostle Paul!]
Saul, after he received God's spirit, immediately begins preaching in Damascus' synagogues that Jesus is the Messiah. This message eventually earns him death threats from the Jews. Fellow Christians in the city help Saul (who will eventually be called Paul) escape under the cover of darkness.
Saul's appearance in Jerusalem is greeted with suspicion by Christians. A man named Barnabas vouches for Saul's conversion and efforts to evangelize. Saul's "in your face" evangelistic style again earns death threats. The Jerusalem church sends him back home to Tarsus.
Peter preaches the gospel in Lydda and heals a paralyzed man. He then travels to Joppa where he resurrects from the dead a kind and generous lady named Dorcas (Tabitha).
Chpt. 10: The prayers and generosity of Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, moves God to make him the first Biblically known Gentile convert to Christianity. The Lord tells him to send some men to Joppa to find Peter and bring him back to Caesarea.
In Joppa Peter is given a vision of a great sheet containing various unclean animals and birds. He sees the vision three times where each time God says, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common (unclean)." (Acts 10:15). Peter then travels to see Cornelius where he ultimately baptizes him, his family and even his close friends!
Chpt. 11: Peter's baptism of Gentiles was initially rejected by those in the Jerusalem church who believed a person needed to be circumcised to be saved. After he explained the circumstances surrounding the baptism they accepted what happened and glorified God that Gentiles were becoming Christians.
Those who left Jerusalem after Stephen's death continue to preach the gospel wherever they go. Their efforts lead to a growing group of believers in Syrian Antioch. Barnabas is sent to witness what is happening. Arriving in the city he encourages the new believers to continue in the faith.
Barnabas, sensing Antioch's new and growing group of believers need help, tracks down Saul (Apostle Paul) in Tarsus. The pair then travels to Antioch where they spend a considerable time building up the church.
[Where Is Syrian Antioch Located?]
[The Greatest Famines in the Bible]
A prophet name Agabus predicts a great famine will soon occur. In response to this announcement those in Antioch decide to send relief to those in Judea and Jerusalem.
Chpt. 12: Herod Agrippa I decides to persecute Christians and starts with beheading James, the brother of the Apostle John. He then in spurred on to throw Peter into prison.
The church fervently prayers for Peter while he is in prison. God then sends an angel to free him even though he is heavily guarded!
[Who Is the Angel of the Lord?]
Herod is soon killed by the Angel of the Lord for not giving God the glory when he deserved to receive it.
Chpt. 13: Barnabas and Saul (Paul) are sent out by the church at Antioch to further spread the gospel. Accompanied by the gospel writer Mark, they begin what will become the Apostle Paul's first missionary journey.
The first evangelistic tour takes the group to Cyprus where they meet a sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-jesus. Saul soon learns that Bar-jesus is attempting to convince the island's governor not to believe the gospel. Saul, who is referred to as Paul from now on, causes Bar-jesus to be blind for a season.
[Paul's First Missionary Journey Map]
[Map of All Cities Visited by Paul]
The group then sails to Perga after which Mark decides to abandon the group and head back to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas then head to Pisidian Antioch where Paul's preaching is well received by Gentiles and some of the Jews. Other Jews, however, resist the gospel and raise up persecution against the two men. Paul and Barnabas are then expelled from the city.
Chpt. 14: Paul and Barnabas travel to Iconium where they continue evangelizing. While some believe the gospel, others do not which causes the men to go to Lystra.
[How Many Churches Did Paul Start?]
Paul heals a cripple in Lystra which causes the people to think of them as gods. The crowd turns against the pair, however, when outsiders come and turn them against the truth. Paul is stoned, left for dead, and miraculously saved by God. The pair then travel to Derbe, where they continue to preach. They then revisit the churches they started in Lystra, Iconium and Pisidian Antioch.