The Book of Acts, written by Luke, tells the story of how the early Christian church grew and spread after Jesus rose from the dead and returned to heaven. It connects the Gospels (which tell about Jesus’ life) with the letters written to the early churches. Acts shows how the Holy Spirit empowered ordinary people to share the good news of Jesus with the world. It also highlights the roles of key leaders, especially Peter and Paul.
Acts starts with Jesus’ return to heaven and His promise that the Holy Spirit would come to help the believers. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit arrives on the day of Pentecost, giving the apostles boldness to preach. Peter’s sermon leads to 3,000 people being baptized, and the church is born.
The early believers meet regularly to learn, share meals, and pray together. Despite challenges and opposition, the church grows as Peter and John heal people and preach about Jesus.
In Acts 7, Stephen is killed for his faith, becoming the first Christian martyr. His death scatters the believers, which actually helps spread the message beyond Jerusalem.
The believers start sharing the gospel in new areas like Judea and Samaria, just as Jesus said they would (Acts 1:8). Philip preaches in Samaria, and even an Ethiopian official hears the good news and believes (Acts 8).
In Acts 9, Saul (later called Paul), who had been persecuting Christians, meets Jesus on the road to Damascus and becomes a believer himself.
Peter also travels and shares the gospel, and a Roman centurion named Cornelius becomes the first non-Jewish (Gentile) follower of Jesus through Peter’s ministry (Acts 10).
Even though the church faces persecution, God helps it grow. King Herod kills James and puts Peter in prison, but God miraculously sets Peter free (Acts 12).
Paul and Barnabas go on their first missionary trip, visiting places like Cyprus and Asia Minor. They preach in Jewish synagogues and also to Gentiles, sharing the message of Jesus with everyone. They face opposition but keep going, performing miracles and starting new churches.
In Acts 14, Paul is even stoned and left for dead, but he survives and continues preaching. This journey shows how the gospel crosses cultural boundaries and spreads to new regions.
As Gentiles (non-Jews) start joining the church, questions arise: Should they follow Jewish laws like circumcision?
The apostles and elders meet in Jerusalem to decide. Led by Peter, Paul, and James, they agree that salvation comes through faith in Jesus, not by following Jewish laws. They write a letter to encourage Gentile believers and ask them to avoid practices tied to idolatry.
This decision unites Jewish and Gentile believers and confirms that the gospel is for everyone.
Paul and Silas set out on a second journey to strengthen churches and reach new areas. In Philippi, they’re thrown in prison but miraculously freed, leading the jailer and his family to believe in Jesus (Acts 16).
In Athens, Paul shares the gospel with philosophers at the Areopagus, connecting the message of Jesus to their culture (Acts 17). The journey ends with Paul spending time in Corinth, starting a strong church and writing letters to encourage believers.
On his third trip, Paul focuses on strengthening the churches. He spends two years in Ephesus, teaching and seeing many people come to faith. Miracles happen, and some people turn away from idol worship.
Paul also visits Macedonia and Greece, encouraging believers and collecting money to help the church in Jerusalem. Even though he knows danger awaits him, he’s determined to finish his mission (Acts 20:22–24).
When Paul returns to Jerusalem, he’s arrested after a mob falsely accuses him of disrespecting the temple. He defends his faith before various leaders, including the Sanhedrin, Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa, always sharing the message of Jesus.
As a Roman citizen, Paul appeals to Caesar, so he’s sent to Rome. During the journey, he survives a shipwreck and continues ministering, even on the island of Malta.
In Rome, Paul is under house arrest but keeps sharing the gospel with everyone who comes to see him. Acts ends with Paul boldly proclaiming the message of Jesus in the heart of the empire (Acts 28:30–31).
The Book of Acts shows us how God worked through ordinary people, filled with the Holy Spirit, to spread the message of Jesus everywhere. It reminds us that the gospel is unstoppable, even in the face of challenges and persecution.
As believers today, we are called to continue sharing the good news, trusting that God’s Spirit will help us just like He helped the early church. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8).