Bible Summary Acts

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Intro

I suggest reading the last chapter of Luke’s Gospel first, the Resurrection of Jesus, since Luke’s Gospel and Acts were originally 1 scroll. The woman went to the tomb with spices. Jesus was gone, but two men in white told them Jesus had been raised from the dead and they remembered all His words about rising on the 3rd day.

The Apostles did not believe them at first, but Peter ran to the tomb, saw the burial clothes and was amazed at what had happened.

Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and shared a meal in the breaking of the bread. The term ‘breaking of the bread’ here in Luke and in Acts signifies Communion, as Jesus had asked them to continue doing it. The two return to Jerusalem to tell the Apostles.

Jesus appeared to the Apostles, allowed them to touch him and He ate a fish, so they could tell He was not a Ghost.

He recounted what He had told them about the need for the Messiah to suffer, die, and rise on the 3rd day.

They were witnesses to the Resurrection and Jesus for 40 Days. Luke’s Gospel together with the Other Gospels explain several events where Jesus appeared after the Resurrection to over 500 people.

He told them to wait for the power from on high, the Holy Spirit when He ascended to heaven on the 40th day.

Get Your Atlas of Bible Maps out (for this book). It will help as the Church spreads out.

Chapter 1

• 40 Days with Jesus
• The Promise of the Spirit
• The Ascension of Jesus
• The 1st Community in Jerusalem
• The Choice of Judas’s Successor

The first chapter of Acts of the Apostles summarizes the events in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus rose from the dead, was with the Apostles for 40 days, meeting with them, promising them the Holy Spirit, and He Ascended into heaven. That was the last time they saw Jesus in human bodily form. They prayed while they waited.

Note: The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not the Baptism of water, but a continuation of Baptism with a Spiritual Fire, a Confirmation of the Holy Spirit.

Some have claimed that after the Apostles, there was no more leadership and the Bible was the only authority left. Acts shows us that is not the case. Instead of shrinking as a group as each Apostle died, Peter and the Apostles recognized their role was a succession that needed to be continued. Thus they chose Matthias to replace Judas. The New Testament was not written yet, so they relied on Tradition to continue the Church.

Chapter 2

• Pentecost
• Peter’s Speech at Pentecost
• Growth of the Church

The Holy Spirit comes down on the Apostles and those who were with them. The people who are speaking in tongues signifies how God is reaching out to all people (opposite of the tower of Babel in Genesis).

Peter stands up to answer a charge and proclaim the truth of Jesus. He is now taking the lead role as Jesus instructed him to do after the Resurrection when he asked Peter to tend His sheep, and when He gave Peter the keys of the kingdom (to act like a Prime Minister for the King). Peter, now filled with the Holy Spirit, has greater courage, stands up for Jesus, and proclaims the Resurrection. 3,000 were baptized and added to the Church that day.

• The Church was sometimes called ‘The Way’ at this point.

The sharing and Community of the Early Church were for the well being of each other, but also the Holy Spirit was preparing them to move out of Jerusalem soon.

Chapter 3

• Cure of a Crippled Beggar
• Peter & John in the Temple

With the Holy Spirit, Peter and John are different. At the crucifixion, Peter had denied Jesus. Now they are standing in the Temple, boldly preaching about Jesus, knowing the chief priest and Pharisees are within ear-shot.

They have the continued authority from Jesus to do miracles in His name as they heal a crippled beggar from birth at the Temple.

Peter gives another convincing witness leading to another 2,000 being Baptized and joining the Church.

Chapter 4

• Questioned by Sanhedrin
• Prayer of the Community
• Church Community

The Sanhedrin notices Peter and John and brings them in for questioning. Surprisingly, when they are asked by what authority this act has been done, they speak up boldly for Jesus, Resurrected, and remind the Sanhedrin of their crime against Jesus.

Even the Sanhedrin were amazed at Peter and John’s boldness. Seeing the cured man, who everyone knew was crippled from birth, the Sanhedrin gave Peter and John a stern warning and released them.

Peter and John reported this back to their people, but instead of being afraid, they were prayerful, filled again with the power of the Holy Spirit, and continued to speak the word with boldness.

Again we see the Community sharing and selling what they have.

• Note Some have quoted this sharing as a model for government programs, but the main difference is that this was not a tax imposed program for those in power to decide what to do for all. Donations were decided by each person’s individual free will.

Barnabus sold his property and donated it to the way out of His free will. Barnabus ‘The Son of encouragement’ is a great model to follow as he is generous and merciful.

Chapter 5

• Ananias and Sapphira
• Signs and Wonders in the Temple
• Trial by Sanhedrin

in contrast to Barnabus, Ananais and Sapphira did something to twist their donation and lie about it. They each died on the spot! This punishment may have seemed harsh, but it was a lesson not to lie to God.

The Apostles know there is serious danger in the Temple, yet they go back again to preach. This is amazing. The people want to get close to Peter as they did to Jesus and they were all cured.

The high priests and Sadducees became jealous and put the Apostles in jail. During the night the Apostles are saved by an angel and told to go right back preaching in the Temple.

The Sanhedrin were surprised that the Apostles had escaped the jail, but maybe, even more, surprised the Apostles went right back into the Temple to preach. The captain and court officers brought them back to the Sanhedrin, but without force, out of fear of being stoned by the people.

The Sanhedrin once again put the Apostles on trial, but Peter and the Apostles said they were following God and turned the tables by accusing the Sanhedrin of killing Jesus, that God raised from the dead. At this point, the Sanhedrin want to kill them, but Gamaliel gives them words of wisdom to let the Apostles go.

The Sanhedrin had the Apostles flogged and let them go. The Apostles instead of being fearful rejoiced that they had been found worthy to suffer for Christ.

They went right back into the Temple to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.

Chapter 6

• Need for Assistants/Deacons
• Accusation against Stephen

As the community rapidly grew, instead of the Apostles gradually shrinking, they needed additional help to serve the people. Seven were chosen to help, Stephen and Philip will be mentioned in more detail. They are sometimes referred to as the first Deacons because of their assistance to the Apostles.

It is still very early in the life of the Church, but we already see 3 levels of priestly service in Acts of the Apostles, although not fully defined yet.

• Apostles (Bishops) (Episcope)
• The Seven (Deacons)
• Priests (Presbyters)

Stephen, one of the Seven, has the gifts of wonders, signs, and wisdom, and spirit. When Synagogue of the Freedmen tries to debate Stephen, they can’t stand up to his wisdom and spirit so they accuse him of blasphemy and bring him to the Sanhedrin. Stephen’s face is like that of an angel.

Chapter 7

• Stephen’s Discourse
• Stephen’s Martyrdom

When given a chance to speak, Stephen gives a wise summary of the Old Testament, explaining the call of Abraham, the covenant with Isaac, Jacob, and the 12 Patriarchs, the evil to Joseph turned into a blessing, oppression of slavery, the call of Moses to deliver the people out of slavery, but the rejection of Moses, their rejection of God in turning to the golden calf, to the tent of the Tabernacle in the desert.

The problem, as Stephen describes it, is that the people asked for a Temple, a house for God, but God originally said He does not dwell in houses made by human hands. His throne is in heaven. The people had not listened to God in building a Temple, and the current Jewish leaders were following in their footsteps by making it central to Jewish life. They had become like their ancestors in persecuting prophets and becoming murders.

The opposers became infuriated, grinding their teeth.

When Stephen witnesses seeing Jesus, (the Son of Man), in heaven, they covered their ears and rushed him, bringing him outside the city to be stoned. He asks God for their forgiveness as he dies.

• Stephen is the first Christian Martyr.

The leading Jewish figure in authority at the stoning of Stephen was Saul, a Pharisee. His Roman name was Paul from the city of Tarsus.

• Remember that Saul is Paul in Acts of the Apostles
• This Saul is different from King Saul in the time of Samuel and David

Chapter 8

• Saul (Paul)
• Philip (the Deacon) in Samaria
• Simon the Magician
• Confirmation by Apostles
• Philip and the Ethiopian

After Saul consents to Stephen’s execution, as a Pharisee, he wants to stop all Christians and is granted orders to do so. He brings them back to be tortured or killed. The Christians flee at the sound of his name.

…

The narrative temporary flips over to Philip, another one of the Seven (Deacons) in the dreaded town of Samaria, notorious for false worship in the history of Israel. Philip preaches to those in Samaria and they pay attention. Many unclean spirits came out of people. Many were cured.

We also see false teachers, like Simon the magician, Without knowing who is appointed by the Church to have the authority to teach, it would quickly become difficult to know who to follow. Philip, appointed by the Apostles, has the true teaching, preaches about Christ, and converts those who were following Simon.

Peter and John came from Jerusalem to Samaria to lay hands on the people to give them Confirmation of the Holy Spirit (sometimes called Baptism of the Holy Spirit). By sending for Peter and John, it appears Philip, as a deacon, does not have the fullness of the priesthood. The Apostles are needed to Confirm the Holy Spirit.

• For this reason, some churches today reserve Confirmation of the Holy Spirit to the Bishop and not to the Deacon.

Simon tries to buy their power and is rebuked.

• Trying to buy spiritual gifts is still called Simony today.

Philip comes across a Gentile eunuch in Gaza who would be excluded by Jewish law because he could not be circumcised, The Eucnich is welcomed by Philip, who instructs him in the Scriptures and Baptizes him.

• Some churches today having deacons allow them to preach and Baptize, following Acts of the Apostles.

As the eunuch fails to comprehend Isaiah, it is inferred that the Bible alone is not enough for understanding. He needs the Church’s assistance. It would be another 300 years before the events of the New Testament were bound together into the Bible.

The Eunuch, even as a Gentile, is welcomed into the Church

Chapter 9

• Saul/Paul’s Conversion
• Saul/Paul’s Baptism
• Barnabus welcomes Saul/Paul in Jerusalem
• The Church at Peace
• Peter Restores Tabitha to Life

On Saul/Paul’s way to Damascus, He encounters Jesus, hearing him and a bright light blinding him. He makes it to Damascus where Ananias (different from the one who died earlier) is called to Baptise him. Imagine Ananias’s fear in being asked to help Paul, as Paul was feared by Christians, but he listens to the Lord.

Paul is Baptised and begins to preach Christ as raised from the dead. The Jews in Damascus hear this and want to kill him, but he escapes Damascus.

Upon entering Jerusalem, the Christians are still fearful of Paul. If not for the mercy and encouragement of Barnabus in welcoming him and convincing others to accept Paul, Church history may have been quite different.

Hopefully, this act of kindness from Barnabus will remind us that our call to serve the Lord is unique for each of us. We often don’t see the results, but no one else will be able to be in the same place as we are to make a difference to someone.

Paul speaks out boldly in the name of the Lord. He debates with the Hellenists, Greek-speaking Jews, but they also want to kill him. the Apostles send Paul back to his home in Tarsus (for now). For a time the Church was at peace.

…

The narrative switches back to Peter. He cures a paralytic in Lydda and raises Tabitha from the dead. He stays a long time in Joppa.

Chapter 10

• The Vision of Cornelius
• The Vision of Peter
• No Partiality to Gentiles
• Holy Spirit & Baptism for the Gentiles

The Holy Spirit reaches out to a God-fearing centurion, named Cornelius at Caesarea, by sending an angel. He tells Cornelius to find Simon Peter.

Meanwhile, Peter sees a vision from heaven, of animals in a large sheet. Peter is used to certain food laws, restrictions of the Jews and initially doesn’t understand what the Holy Spirit is asking of him after seeing this three times. Cornelius’ servants find Peter and tell him of the angel’s request for him to come to Caesarea.

When Peter reaches Cornelius and Cornelius tries to give him homage, Peter understands the vision and recognizes that the non-Jewish gentiles are not to be called unclean or excluded. The repetition of the re-telling of the events adds emphasis that something important is happening.

Peter proclaims that God shows no partiality, and gives witness that Jesus Christ is for all, both Jews and Gentiles alike.

As Peter is speaking, the Holy Spirit descends on the gentiles, as He had done at Pentecost, confirming Peter’s acknowledgment. The circumcised Jewish believers were astonished.

The Gentiles were Baptized with water and the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 11

• Inclusion of the Gentiles Explained
• Barnabus to Antioch
• Agabus Predicts Famine

The Jewish Christians (from Judea) wanted an explanation because Peter was associating with the Gentiles, against Jewish law. Peter re-peats what happened and how the Spirit did not discriminate against the Gentiles, but welcomed them, recalling the words of Jesus.

We can not under-estimate the meaning of this event. The Gentiles are welcomed into the Church. Without this decision, Christians would have only been Jewish people who believe in Jesus.

Get Your Atlas of Bible Maps out. It will help as the Church spreads out. As people fled the evil of persecution, the Lord also provided witnesses to spread the Good News. They are beginning to spread north and some were also proclaiming the word to the Gentile Greeks.

Barnabus was sent to Antioch to help encourage them to remain faithful to the Lord. Barnabus is once again instrumental in getting Paul from Tarsus, (Tarsus is a little further north than Antioch) and includes Paul in the missionary work at Antioch.

The word ‘Christian’ is first used at Antioch around 42 A.D. about a decade after the Resurrection.

The Famine predicted by Agabus shows there are still prophets in the New Testament. Agabus was correct. We see some reverence shown for the church at Jerusalem as a collection was sent to them, brought by Barnabus and Paul. We also see the priesthood (presbyters) mentioned again.

Chapter 12

• James killed by Herod
• Herod’s Persecution of the Christians
• Herod’s Death
• The Mission of Barnabas, Saul, & Mark

King Herod Agrippa kills James the Apostle, the brother of John. James is the first Apostle to be martyred. Peter is also arrested and put into prison under the watch of 16 guards. The Church prayed for him.

After Passover, Herod intended to bring Peter to be judged by the people as was done with Jesus, but an angel of the Lord frees Peter.

Herod executed the guards and he himself died after allowing himself to be compared to God. The Church continued to grow.

Barnabus and Saul(Paul) take John-Mark with them on their first missionary journey.

We see the term ‘laying on hands’ as a juxtaposition, where the opposition uses laying hands on people to stop the Church, the Holy Spirit uses laying on of hands to expand the Church.

Acts 12:17. Outside of the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, this is one of the last verses we hear about Peter, as he went to another place. From early Church history, we have tradition and evidence that Peter established Bishops in Antioch and then in Rome where he was martyred under Emporer Nero.

Chapter 13

• First Mission Begins to Cyprus
• Paul & Barnabus Pamphilia and Pisidia
• Paul’s Address in the Synagogue
• Address to the Gentiles

At Antioch, Barnabus and Saul(Paul) are set apart by the Holy Spirit to go on a missionary journey. The leaders of Antioch lay hands on them in blessing.

It is not clear if this laying on of hands was when Barnabus and Paul were 1st given Apostolic authority as Bishops or another laying of hands for their missionary work, but either way, at this time they have the authority to appoint others in new churches they will be establishing.

Pauls’ Journey’s are sometimes drawn on maps in a way that it becomes difficult to differentiate one journey from the next. This first journey, we can differentiate one way by thinking of it as the Barnabus journey. He is the one who reclaimed Paul back into service, and they start out going through Barnabus’s home island of Cyprus. We can also think of it as the local Asia Minor Journey, as this is the shortest journey of the three.

The date is c. A.D. 47-48, the place is Cyprus, under the Roman rule of Proconsul Sergius Paulis, under Emporer Claudius (41-54)…

We encounter another false teacher called Elymas Bar-Jesus. Paul, Barnabus, and John-Mark were appointed by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles, so they have the authority to rebuke Elymas and cause him blindness.

Split
As they left Cyprus and entered Perga in Asia Minor, John-Mark left them for an unexplained reason. This would later become a point of disagreement when Barnabus wanted to bring John-Mark on a future journey and Paul did not.

In Pisidia, they were invited by the Jews in the synagogue to preach. Paul uses the opportunity to preach about Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise to the Jews. Like Stephen before, Paul connects the promise of the Messiah from the time of Moses, through the line of David, to Jesus, as witnessed by John the Baptist.

Paul explains the death and Resurrection of Jesus, the limitation of the Jewish law (in which he was an expert Pharisee). Some of the Jews followed Paul and Barnabus. They were invited to speak again.

The following week, almost the whole city had gathered, this time some Jews tried to contradict Paul and Barnabus. After they encountered rejection by the Jews, they invited the Gentiles who were delighted to hear about the Word of God and many believed in Jesus.

The opposing Jews incited others to expel Paul and Barnabus out of the city.

The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, just as Peter and John were after the rejection in the Temple. They were not stopped by fear. They went to Iconium next

Chapter 14

• Paul and Barnabas at Iconium
• Paul and Barnabas at Lystra
• End of the First Mission

At Iconium, both Jews and Gentiles listened and believed. The opposing Jews tried to stir up disbelief, but when Paul and Barnabus heard about a plan to stone them, they left for Lystra and continued to proclaim the good news there.

At Lystra, Paul healed a cripple who had faith just as Jesus and Peter had done. The people of Lystra, who worshipped many gods, saw this and tried to make Paul and Barnabus gods. They stopped it and instead tried to instruct them about the true nature of the One God with little success

The Jews from the previous towns came and stoned Paul, just as the Jews had stoned Stephen. Paul was left for dead. but survived and went onward to Derbe.

At Derbe, they made a considerable number of disciples. Then they retraced their steps in previous towns to strengthen the disciples there and set up priests (presbyters) in each church with prayer and fasting.

This shows the Church structure adjusting as the need arose for a larger Church. Paul and Barnabus as Bishops and shepherds have the authority to appoint priests in each town who will help teach the people and protect them from other false teachers.

Barnabus and Paul returned to Antioch and reported that God had opened the door to the Gentiles. This was in union with what the Holy Spirit did earlier through Philip, Peter & John, in accepting the Gentiles.

Chapter 15

• Council of Jerusalem
• James’ Request on Dietary Law
• Letter of the Apostles
• Delegates to Antioch
• Paul and Barnabas Separate

We think we have problems today. The early church faced the imminent danger of splitting in two within the first decades of the Church. The first Christians, the Jews who believed in Christ, wanted everyone else to follow all the Jewish laws. Gentiles would have a hard time understanding all the Jewish laws, many of which came as a result of specific sinful events like the worship of the golden calf.

Peter, James, Paul, Barnabus, some others, and the priests met at Jerusalem to discuss the matter. They spoke of the conversion of the Gentiles. Some Pharisees, who had converted, wanted the Gentiles to observe all the Jewish laws, including circumcision.

After much debate, Peter got up and talked about the inclusion of the Gentiles by the Holy Spirit, and that there should be no distinction between Jew or Gentile, that hundreds of extra laws were inadequate even for the Jews. With Jesus as the ultimate Sacrifice, the temporary Mosaic laws were no longer needed.

Paul and Barnabus supported Peter in describing the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles.

James, who was speaking on behalf of the Jerusalem community, is also in union with Peter, Paul, and Barnabus by saying the old laws are not needed for Gentiles. He only proposes a fee that are common-sense.

• Avoid pollution of idols
  (as it breaks the first commandment)
• unlawful marriage
  (agrees with Jesus)
• Avoid eating blood
  (makes sure an animal has no life when eating it)
• Avoid meat of Strangled Animals
  (A cruel way to kill animals. It still has blood in it)

These guidelines are not the same as the hundreds of laws that were no longer needed with Jesus as the source of reconciliation, in ways the laws could never achieve.

In union, the council formulates a letter to be read to the churches of the gentile regions. Outside of those 4 requests, no Jewish Christian has the authority to impose further restrictions on the Gentiles. Judas and Silas are sent with Paul and Barnabus to bring the good news and they spent some time with them there.

Paul and Barnabus remained in Antioch teaching and doing many good works. After some time, Paul is ready for another journey to see how the brothers from the first journey are doing.

Barnabus and Paul go separate ways.
Barnabus wants to bring John-Mark again, but Paul does not want to bring someone he feels deserted them the first time. Their disagreement was sharp and they ended up parting ways, going on separate missions.

The disagreement between Paul and Barnabus reminds us that people, even leaders in the Church, are not perfect. Despite some occasional disagreements, hopefully, we still continue our missions. In this case, Paul and Barnabus don’t leave the Church, but they each continue their missions and bring others with them to spread the good news about Christ.

• Barnabus takes John-Mark to revisit Cyprus
• Paul takes Silas to revisit the churches in Asia Minor.

Chapter 16

• Paul in Lycaonia with Timothy
• Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia in Asia Minor
• To Macedonia in Europe
• Imprisonment at Philippi
• Deliverance from Prison
• Family Baptism

Paul’s Second Journey (which we will call the Corinthian Journey here) is longer than the first. To help us remember this distinctly from the others, the furthest extent and longest stay is Corinth which lasted a year and a half.

They start out revisiting Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium, Paul finds a highly respected disciple named Timothy (the one Paul later writes a New Testament letter to) and brings him on the journey.

Even though Paul often argues against Jewish laws and circumcision for Gentiles, He himself is a Jewish Pharisee, and respectful of Jewish practices. He knows Timothy is half Jewish (from his mother) and the Jews of the region will be asking, so he has Timothy circumcised.

• The churches they established from the fits mission had grown stronger in faith and in numbers.

They traveled west through Asia Minor, through Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia, and Troas, across the upper Agean Sea into southern Europe, Greek Macedonia. (Take a look at a map and trace where they traveled to get a better sense of the journey).

In Macedonia they stopped in Neapolis and Philippi where they spent some time. (Philippi is a location of one of Paul’s NT letters). There Lydia accepts the word. She and her family were Baptized.

Paul casts out an evil spirit from a woman who was fortune-telling. This causes unrest for her owners who were profiting from her. They seized Paul and Silas, stripped and beat them with rods, and threw them into prison.

After an earthquake the prison guard is relieved that Pual and Silas did not escape, asking what he needs to be saved. They tell him to believe in Jesus and your whole family will be saved. He does and has his whole family Baptized.

• This is one of the passages explaining why a parent can believe and have their whole family Baptized.

The magistrates decide to release them quietly from prison, but Paul asks for more. He is a Roman citizen and was beaten against the policy of Roman law. Perhaps someone else could be planning to attack them again, but a public apology would prevent it for now.

Chapter 17

• Paul, Timothy & Silas in Thessalonica
• Paul in Beroea
• Paul in Athens, Silas & Timothy remain
• Paul’s in Athens
• Speech at the Areopagus

They continue to Thessalonica (another place Paul writes an NT letter). Paul follows his normal practice of trying to preach to the Jews first. for 3 weeks they listened and some were convinced. The opposing Jews formed a rebellion and brought a few of the Christians to the Magistrates. They had to pay before being released.

Paul and Silas go to another town, Beroea, where they preach to the Jews. The Jews here were fair-minded, received the word with willingness and many became Christians. However, the opposing Jews from Thessalonica came to Beroea to cause trouble, so the brothers sent Paul onward to Athens while Silas and Timothy remained.

In Athens, a city full of false worshippers of many gods, Paul was exasperated at the site, but he debated in the synagogues with the Jews and at the Areopagus with the philosophers. To them, he was preaching an unknown God, but he expounds on this idea to let them know there is one God, Lord of heaven and earth in a beautiful sermon. Many did not listen, but some like Dionysius, Damaris, and others did.

Chapter 18

• Paul in Corinth (2 Years, Aquila & Priscilla)
• Silas & Timothy rejoin Paul
• Accusations before Gallio
• Paul, Aquila & Priscilla to Ephesus
• Nazarite vow
• Paul to Caesarea, Jerusalem, and Antioch
• 3rd Journey begins. Galatia, Phrygia
• Apollos at Ephesus taught by Aquila & Priscilla

At Corinth, Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla, recent outcasts from a Jewish exile out of Rome. Silas and Timothy caught up to Paul at Corinth.

When the Jews at Corinth oppose Paul, he gets upset and says he will only preach to Gentiles. He continues his teaching in a house next to the synagogue, owned by Titus Justus, and many were converted, even Crispus, the synagogue official.

Paul gets some reassurance from the Lord in a vision to continue speaking in Corinth without being silent. He was there for a year and a half.

Gallio was the proconsul of Achaia in A.D. 51. When the Jews tried to create a rebellion and brought Paul before Gallio, he dismissed them not wanting to be involved in religious matters.

After Corinth, Paul sets sail back home bringing Aquila and Priscilla. He leaves them at Ephesus while he continues on to Jerusalem and back to Antioch.

In Cenchreae Paul has his hair cut because of a vow. This could refer to the Nazarite vow from Numbers 6:1-21 that other prophets had taken (Samson, Samuel) to be dedicated to the Lord.

Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria, arrived at Ephesus. He was a welcome addition to the flock, an eloquent speaker, but in need of some additional training form Aquila and Priscilla. He boldly preached to the Jews in the synagogues, that Jesus was the Messiah.

Even though Paul and Apollos seem to miss meeting each other, this shows the church is growing and the Holy Spirit is providing additional leaders to help. We may tend here to focus on Paul, but it is still about Jesus, the acts of the Holy Spirit, and the whole Church.

Meanwhile, Paul starts his 3rd Missionary Journey, going through Asia Minor again, heading back to Ephesus where Aquila and Priscilla are. One way to remember the 3rd journey distinctly from the others is as the Ephesus journey as Paul stays there for 2 years.

Chapter 19

• Paul in Ephesus (2 years)
• Baptism and Confirmation of 12 men
• The Jewish Exorcists
• Paul’s Plans
• Demetrius the Silversmith

While Apollos goes to Corinth to strength the Church there, Paul goes to Ephesus to strengthen the Church there. At Ephesus, they have heard of the Baptism of John, but are in need of the Confirmation of the Holy Spirit.

Paul lays his hands on them. In some churches today, the Bishop still lays his hands on the recipient for Confirmation (for the reception of the Holy Spirit).

Pauk again starts in the synagogue but after rejection, had daily discussions in the hall of Tyrannus for the next 2 years. The result was the entire province of Asia heard the Word, Jews and Greek alike. Many were healed, even by clothes that had touched him, like Peter and Jesus.

More false teachers… This time some Jews tried to wield the power of Jesus, but without the benefit of the Church’s authority and protection. These Jews were overcome by the demon and fled. Others, seeing this, gave up their magic and followed the Church.

After 2 years at Ephesus, Paul wants to revisit Greek Macedonia, Achaia, Jerusalem, and Rome. He sent Timothy and Erastus ahead.

The Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the world, was located in Ephesus and provided a lucrative living for the silversmiths. Demetrius, a silversmith causes a disturbance for the Way by blaming Paul for lowering their income (he was right as Paul was lowering false idol worship). They seized Paul’s companions but the town clerk calmed the riot before it got out of hand.

‘The Way’ was an early title given to the Chruch before other terms like ‘Christian’ and ‘Catholic’ became more popular over the next 50-100 years. They were the same Church founded by Jesus, expanded by the Apostles in the laying on of hands.

Chapter 20

• Journey to Macedonia and Greece
• Return to Troas
• Eutychus Restored to Life
• Journey to Miletus
• Paul’s Farewell Speech at Miletus

Paul journeys back to Macedonia and Greece to strengthen the Church there with encouragement. After detecting a plot on his life by sea he decides to return along the route he came. Several disciples are with him, including Timothy.

In Acts of the Apostles, where we see breaking of the bread, it signifies communion, the Eucharist, as Jesus said ‘Do this in memory of me’.

In Troas, they gathered to break bread and Paul spoke until midnight, knowing he was going to be leaving the next day. A young man named Eutychus, fell asleep as Paul talked on and on. He fell from the third story window to his death, but he was revived by Paul.

At Miletus, Paul met with some of the priests from Ephesus, as he was looking to arrive at Ephesus before Pentecost. Paul gives a moving summary of his mission with them and tells of warnings ahead for him, from the Holy Spirit of imprisonment and hardships. He knows he will not see any of them again, but gives them final words of encouragement to be strong, responsible, and to watch over themselves and the flock, to tend to the church of God which the Holy Spirit has appointed them overseers, to be vigilant. He knelt and prayed with them as they cried in his leaving.

The narrative in Acts changes to ‘we’. This signifies that Luke is traveling with Paul at this stage.

Chapter 21

• Arrival at Tyre
• Arrival at Ptolemais and Caesarea
• Paul and James in Jerusalem
• Paul in the Temple; Arrest

They made a few more stops along the coast of Asia Minor and then across the Mediterranean Sea. They sailed into Tyre, a port north of Israel. While Paul stayed there for a week, he was warned of danger in going to Jerusalem. they knelt and prayer before leaving.

On the way to Jerusalem, they stayed a day with Philip, one of the Seven, some of who’s events in the area were mentioned earlier.

Agabus, the prophet who earlier correctly predicted a famine in the region, now predicted Paul will be bound by the Jews and handed to Gentiles. When the people weep, Paul responds that he is not only willing to be bound but die for the name of the Lord Jesus.

In Jerusalem, they meet James and the priests. With Peter already likely gone north, James is left as Bishop of Jerusalem. Paul tells them all that God has done among the Gentiles through his ministry. They told him of the thousands of Jews who are now believers.

They also mention the Jewish Christians are zealous for the law. These zealots were hearing false stories that Paul was telling Jewish Christians not to obey the law. They asked Paul to calm the accusations by appearing with 4 others, who had taken a vow, in the Temple ritual.

At the Temple, opposing Jews from Asia, also returning to Jerusalem for the feast, recognized Paul and stirred up a riot against him. They seized him and were ready to drag him out of the Temple to kill him (similar to Stephen), but the Roman cohort saw it and stopped it.

Paul was handed over from the Jews to the Gentile Romans, just as Agabus had predicted. The crowd shouted ‘Away with him!’ as they had said with Jesus.

Chapter 22

• Paul’s Defense before the Jerusalem Jews
• Paul before the Sanhedrin
• Paul Imprisoned

Paul requested to speak, but instead of trying to argue for his release, he used the opportunity to preach in Hebrew about his conversion. When he talked about preaching to Gentiles, they had enough and Cohort took him away to be questioned under the lash.

Paul uses his Roman citizenship to stop the lashing.

Chapter 23

• Transfer to Caesarea

The cohort called the Sanhedrin to convene to find out the accusations. Paul, being wise of Jewish beliefs, called out saying he was on trial for the hope in the resurrection, which Pharisees believed in, but Sadducees did not. This caused an argument between both sides so that they would not all accuse him. The Cohort took him away.

The next night, the Lord stood by Paul and told him to take courage as he would bear witness in Rome.

Some Jews take an oath to murder Paul. He is saved by his nephew who overheard the plot and tells the Roman cohort. Paul was moved to Caesarea under armed escort, where he stayed under Felix the Governor.

Chapter 24

• Trial before Felix
• Captivity in Caesarea

The high priest of the Jews, Ananias, brings formal charges against Paul, of causing dissension among the Jews all over the world, and as a ring leader of a sect called the Nazoreans (those who follow Jesus the Nazarean). They falsely accuse him of trying to desecrate the Temple.

In defense, Paul explains to the Governor that in all his time in Jerusalem, not once did anyone find him arguing or trying to instigate a riot among the people. Paul admits that he is following the Way (of Jesus) but in accordance with the law and the prophets. He shares the same hope in the resurrection that many Jews have.

Felix did not find Paul guilty, but called him often, over 2 years, hoping Paul would offer a bribe to be released. Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus.

Chapter 25

• Appeal to Caesar
• Paul before King Agrippa

When Festus took over from Felix, the Jewish authorities again accused Paul but were unable to prove their accusations. They desired that Festus send Paul to Jerusalem so they could murder him on the way.

Festus wanting to ingratiate himself with the Jews asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem for trial. Paul knew the murderous plot against him at Jerusalem, so before Festus could send him there, Paul was wise in using his Roman citizenship to appeal for a trial at Rome.

Festus, now seeing no alternative, decides to send Paul to Rome.

King Agrippa, son of Herod Agrippa, came to Caesarea to visit Festus. After Festus told him the events, King Agrippa asked to hear from Paul. Festus welcomes it as he is not clear what charges to send to Rome about Paul.

Chapter 26

• King Agrippa Hears Paul
• Paul’s Defense & Witness

Instead of defense, Paul goes through a beautiful recollection of his life as a strict Pharisee and that he is on trial for the hope in the promise made by God to their ancestors, of Resurrection. He admits that he chased down Christians and voted against them to be put to death, but along the way, he saw Jesus. From then he followed Jesus, preaching repentance from sin. That Jesus, the first to rise, would welcome both Jews and Gentiles.

Festus, not Jew or Christian, told Paul he was mad, but Paul responded he was speaking words of truth and reason.

As for Agrippa, it is unclear what he thought. His statement to Paul about soon being persuading to be a Christain is either jest or a hint of some truth for himself and others listening to Paul long enough. He finds nothing in Paul that deserves death or punishment.

He says Paul could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar, but if Paul had not, he would have been sent to Jerusalem where there were plots to murder him.

Chapter 27

• Departure for Rome
• Storm
• Shipwreck

Paul was placed in the custody of Julius of the Cohort of Augusta. Julius was kind enough to allow Paul to visit his friends at the port of Sidon.

From there they followed the eastern side of the island of Cyrpus and along the edge of Asia Minor, not straying too far from land as this was the season for storms.

When they reached the western edge of Asia Minor at Lycia, they were transferred to an Alexandrian ship headed to Italy., but encountered strong winds that prevented the first route. They adjusted the course to try and follow the more sheltered side of Crete.

When Paul warned about severe damage and loss, he was ignored by the Centurian and the captain pressed the vessel forward. When they attempted to reach the town of Phoenix they were hit by a storm and were driven into the open sea.

For many days the storm pressed on and they jettisoned some cargo. When they were short on food, Paul reminded them if they had listened to his warning, they could have avoided the disaster, but he encouraged them that none would be lost, only the ship because an angel told him. After that, they listened to him.

When Paul encouraged them to eat, he broke the bread and gave thanks, remembering what Jesus had done.

They encountered the bay of an island and struck a sandbar. When the soldiers planned to kill the prisoners, the Centurian wanted to save Paul and prevented it. They all made it to shore as Paul had prophesied.

Chapter 28

• Winter in Malta
• Miracles by Paul
• Arrival in Rome
• Testimony to Jews in Rome
• 2 Years in Prison.
• End

On the Island of Malta, they were met by natives who showed extraordinary hospitality. When Paul was gathering firewood he was bitten by a poisonous snake and the natives thought he would die but he suffered no harm.

Pauls healed the chief’s father who was ill, by laying hands on him. After this, the rest of the sick on the island were healed by Paul.

• Some churches today practice anointing of the sick by laying on of hands.

After the winter, the natives gave them provisions so that they could continue on another Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island.

They traveled past Syracuse of Sicily, and along the coast of Italy. They stayed with some brothers for seven days at Puteoli, indicating Christian beliefs were already in the area.

When they arrived at Rome, Paul was placed under house arrest with a soldier to guard him.

Three days later he called the Jewish leaders to report why he was sent, but they had received no letters of accusations from Judea or complaints about him. They were aware of Christians who were denounced everywhere and agreed to arrange a day to hear him.

After a day of preaching to them, some believed and some did not. For those who did not listen, Paul did not shy away and said the Gentiles would listen.

Paul remained under house arrest for 2 years, receiving all who came, continuing to proclaim the kingdom of God and of Jesus Christ.

As Acts of the Apostles ends, Paul is not killed. His mission would continue.

Why aren’t we given and ending for Paul here? Acts of the Apostles is not solely about Paul, but about the whole Church growing and the Holy Spirit guiding it. Both Peter and Paul’s mission don’t end here. They and others went on continuing to spread the good news as the Church continued even to this day.

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