Acts Summary
by Jay Smith
The genre of the book of Acts is Narrative History with several Sermons.
Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke, was a doctor and Gentile. He wrote
this book circa 60-62 A.D. It is Luke’s sequel to the Gospel of Luke. It is titled
"Acts" to emphasize that this book records the "Acts of the Apostles through
the work of the Holy Spirit". The key personalities of Acts are Peter, Paul,
John, James, Stephen, Barnabas, Timothy, Lydia, Silas, and Apollos.
Luke wrote the book of Acts (Acts of the Apostles) to record how believers
were empowered by the Holy Spirit, worked to spread the Gospel of Christ,
and are a model for the future church.
The book of Acts is also the history of the birth, the founding, and the spread
of the Church from Jerusalem to Rome. It also records the transition of the
Church from being almost exclusively a Jewish institution into becoming a
Gentile and an international institution. Consequently, it records the transition
of Christianity from a Jewish religion into an international faith. The Gospel of
salvation is for all because Jesus Christ is Lord of all.
• Chapters 1-6:7, contains the events that surround Jerusalem and the
infancy of the church. The contents of these passages surround the early
evangelistic work in Jerusalem. It describes the events of Pentecost, and the
amazingly bold sermon presented by the Apostle Peter to all the Jews who
gathered for the Feast of Weeks. The result of this sermon was 3000 new
believers surrendering to Jesus Christ.
• In chapters 6:8-9:31, there is a shift in the focus of evangelism to other
areas. Although the ministry continued in Jerusalem, witnessing the Gospel
also included those who were not completely Jewish (Samaritans and
Proselytes). In 8:5, Philip traveled down to Samaria, “and began proclaiming
Christ to them”. Stephen is falsely accused and stoned to death while he
preaches to the religious leaders. As Stephen was dying, he prayed to Jesus
Christ, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” (7:59). Stephen’s executioners laid
their robes at the feet of a young persecutor named Saul, who would soon
become known as “Paul the Apostle”. Saul spent his early days oppressing
Christians and imprisoning them, until he had a life changing experience with
Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus in chapter 9:3.
• From chapters 9:32-12:24, evangelism of the gospel among the gentiles
begins. Peter received a revelation that the gospel was also to be shared
among the Gentiles. Cornelius, a Roman Commander and some of his men
become followers of Christ. Saul (the persecutor) has become a passionate
follower of Christ and immediately begins preaching the gospel. We also find
that the term “Christians” is first used in Antioch.
• In 12:25-16:5 the gospel is shared geographically to the Gentiles in a
different region farther outside Jerusalem. Saul changes his Hebrew name to
Paul, a Greek name, to reach the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas begin their first
and second missionary journeys to the Gentile world with both success and
opposition. In chapter 15, the Jerusalem Council takes place to authorize
spreading the gospel message to the Gentile nations.
• From 16:6-19:20, after they are forbidden to enter Asia, Paul receives a
vision. He and Silas head farther West to Macedonia to preach the gospel
message in the Gentile European regions. Lydia, a woman who sold purple
fabric, became the first convert along with her entire household. Paul
preached to the Greek philosophers on Mars Hill and next sets out on his third
missionary journey. “The word of the Lord was growing mightily and
prevailing” (19:20).
• The final chapters from 19:21-28, describe Paul’s travel to Jerusalem
where he was arrested, and then his difficult travel to Rome to be put on trial.
When he arrives, he is imprisoned in house arrest and the book of Acts
abruptly ends without describing the events of his trial before Caesar.
