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Peter Explains God’s Plan
In Acts 11:1-18, some Jewish believers questioned Peter for visiting Gentiles and eating with them. Peter explained how God had given him a vision showing that no one should be called unclean. He told them about Cornelius’s vision and how the Holy Spirit came upon the Gentiles just as He had on the Jews. Peter realized that God was offering salvation to everyone, not just the Jewish people. When the believers heard this, they stopped arguing and praised God, rejoicing that He had given eternal life to the Gentiles, too.
The Church Grows in Antioch
In Acts 11:19-29, after believers fled persecution, they spread the message of Jesus in different places. In Antioch, some began sharing the good news with Gentiles, and many believed. When the church in Jerusalem heard this, they sent Barnabas to encourage them. Seeing God’s work, Barnabas brought Saul to help, and together they taught many people. It was in Antioch that believers were first called “Christians.” During this time, a prophet named Agabus predicted a famine, so the believers decided to send help to those in need.
Peter’s Miraculous Escape
In Acts 12:1-25, King Herod began persecuting the church and had the apostle James killed. He then arrested Peter, planning to put him on trial. But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed for him. One night, an angel appeared, woke Peter up, and led him out of the prison—his chains fell off, and the locked gates opened by themselves. Peter went to the house where believers were praying, and they were amazed to see him free. Meanwhile, Herod, who had been acting proudly, was struck down by God and died. Despite the troubles, God’s message continued to spread.
Paul and Barnabas Begin Their Mission
In Acts 13:1-12, the church in Antioch was praying when the Holy Spirit told them to send Paul and Barnabas on a mission. They traveled to different places, sharing the good news about Jesus. In Cyprus, they met a Roman official who wanted to hear their message, but a sorcerer named Elymas tried to stop them. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked Elymas, and he was struck with blindness. Seeing this, the Roman official believed in Jesus, amazed at God’s power.
Paul and Barnabas Face Challenges
In Acts 14:1-28, Paul and Barnabas traveled to different cities, boldly preaching about Jesus. In some places, many believed, but others opposed them and stirred up trouble. In Lystra, after Paul healed a man who couldn’t walk, the people thought they were gods and tried to worship them. Paul and Barnabas quickly corrected them, saying they were only messengers of the true God. Later, opponents turned the crowd against Paul, and he was stoned and left for dead—but he got up and continued preaching! Despite many hardships, they encouraged believers and returned to Antioch, celebrating how God was bringing people to faith.
The Church Decides on Grace
In Acts 15:1-21, some believers argued that Gentiles needed to follow Jewish laws to be saved. Paul and Barnabas disagreed, so they traveled to Jerusalem to discuss the issue with the apostles and elders. Peter reminded everyone that God had already given the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles, just as He had to the Jews, showing that salvation comes through faith, not by following the law. James agreed and suggested that Gentile believers should only follow a few basic guidelines to live in harmony with Jewish believers. The church decided to welcome Gentiles without burdening them with extra rules.
Encouraging the Believers
In Acts 15:22-41, the apostles and elders in Jerusalem wrote a letter to the Gentile believers, reassuring them that they didn’t need to follow Jewish laws to be saved. They sent Paul, Barnabas, and others to deliver the message, bringing joy and encouragement to the churches. Later, Paul and Barnabas planned another journey, but they disagreed about taking John Mark with them. Barnabas took John Mark to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and traveled through Syria and Cilicia. Even though they parted ways, both continued spreading the good news about Jesus.
A New Mission and an Open Heart
In Acts 16:1-15, Paul met a young believer named Timothy and invited him to join his mission. As they traveled, the Holy Spirit guided them away from certain places until Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia asking for help. Seeing this as God’s direction, they went to Philippi. There, they met a woman named Lydia, a merchant who worshiped God. As she listened to Paul’s message, God opened her heart, and she and her household were baptized. She then invited Paul and his companions to stay at her home, showing great hospitality.
Freedom and a Jailer’s Faith
In Acts 16:16-40, Paul and Silas were in Philippi when they cast a spirit out of a slave girl who could tell the future. Her owners, angry about losing their source of money, had them beaten and thrown into prison. That night, as Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns, a powerful earthquake shook the prison, opening all the doors and breaking their chains. The jailer, afraid the prisoners had escaped, was about to harm himself, but Paul stopped him. Trembling, the jailer asked how to be saved, and Paul told him to believe in Jesus. That night, the jailer and his family were baptized. The next day, the city officials freed Paul and Silas, and they continued sharing the good news.
Sharing the Good News in New Cities
In Acts 17:1-15, Paul and Silas traveled to Thessalonica, where Paul preached in the synagogue, explaining that Jesus was the Messiah who had to suffer and rise from the dead. Some believed, but others stirred up trouble, forcing Paul and Silas to leave. They went to Berea, where the people eagerly studied the Scriptures to see if Paul’s message was true. Many believed, but when troublemakers from Thessalonica arrived, Paul had to leave again. Silas and Timothy stayed behind to continue teaching, while Paul traveled to Athens to share the gospel there.