Book 44 of 66 · New Testament

Acts

How the church began and spread — from Jerusalem to Rome — through Peter, Paul, and the Spirit.

28 chapters1,007 versesWritten in GreekSet Jerusalem to Rome, the first thirty years of the church (c. AD 30–62)

Overview

Acts is the sequel to Luke's Gospel: the story of how the followers of Jesus became a movement that spread across the Roman world. It begins with the Spirit given at Pentecost and the church in Jerusalem, led by Peter, then follows the conversion of Paul and his journeys to carry the message to the nations — ending with Paul preaching in Rome. It is the bridge between the Gospels and the letters that follow.

Book facts

Author: Luke, by traditionThe unnamed author of the Gospel of Luke; the two books are a pair addressed to Theophilus.
Date written: c. AD 62–85The story ends with Paul in Rome around AD 62; the writing is usually dated to then or somewhat later.
Original language: GreekPolished Greek — the second half of Luke's two-part work.
Setting: Jerusalem to Rome, the first thirty years of the church (c. AD 30–62)From Jesus' ascension to Paul preaching in Rome.

How it came to be

Acts opens by referring back to "the former treatise" — the Gospel of Luke — addressed to the same Theophilus. It is the second half of Luke's two-part work, continuing the story from Jesus' ascension.

In several passages the narrative shifts to "we," suggesting the author travelled with Paul for part of the journey.

What is arguedWho wrote it and how much is eyewitness record. Most scholars accept Lukan authorship for both books, though the sources and dating are discussed.

The whole book, chapter by chapter

Chapter	What happens	Who is in it	Where it takes place
The church in Jerusalem — Pentecost and the first days, chapters 1–7
Chapter 1The ascension	The risen Jesus commissions his followers and is taken up into heaven; Matthias is chosen to replace Judas.	,
Chapter 2The day of Pentecost	The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost; Peter preaches, and thousands believe.
Chapter 3The lame man at the gate	Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple gate, and Peter preaches to the crowd.
Chapter 4The council's threat	Peter and John are arrested and warned by the council, but keep preaching.
Chapter 5The apostles imprisoned	Ananias and Sapphira lie and die; the apostles are jailed, freed by an angel, and Gamaliel counsels restraint.	, , ,
Chapter 6The seven chosen	Seven men, including Stephen, are chosen to serve; Stephen is seized on false charges.
Chapter 7The speech of Stephen	Stephen retells Israel's story and is stoned to death, becoming the first martyr.
Out into the nations — the message spreads beyond Jerusalem, chapters 8–12
Chapter 8The Ethiopian	Persecution scatters the believers; Philip preaches in Samaria and baptizes an Ethiopian official.
Chapter 9The Damascus road	Saul, on his way to arrest believers, meets the risen Jesus and is converted; Peter heals Aeneas and raises Tabitha.	, , ,	,
Chapter 10The vision of Peter	Peter is shown a vision and preaches to the Roman officer Cornelius, and the Spirit falls on the Gentiles.	,	,
Chapter 11The church at Antioch	A mixed church grows at Antioch, where the believers are first called Christians.	,
Chapter 12The prison doors	Herod kills James and jails Peter, who is freed by an angel; Herod is later struck down.	,
Paul's journeys — Paul carries the message across the empire, chapters 13–21
Chapter 13The first journey	Barnabas and Paul are sent out from Antioch and preach across Cyprus and Asia Minor.	,	,
Chapter 14The stoning at Lystra	Paul is mistaken for a god, then stoned at Lystra, but the mission goes on.	,	, ,
Chapter 15The council at Jerusalem	The apostles meet in Jerusalem and agree that Gentile believers need not keep the whole law of Moses.	, ,	,
Chapter 16The Philippian jailer	Paul and Silas are jailed in Philippi; an earthquake frees them, and the jailer believes.	, ,
Chapter 17The unknown god	Paul preaches in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens, pointing to their altar "to the unknown god."		,
Chapter 18The tentmakers	In Corinth Paul works as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla and stays to teach.	, , ,
Chapter 19The riot at Ephesus	Paul's work in Ephesus provokes a riot among the silversmiths of the goddess Diana.
Chapter 20The farewell at Miletus	On his way to Jerusalem, Paul says a moving farewell to the Ephesian elders at Miletus.
Chapter 21The arrest in the temple	Paul reaches Jerusalem and is seized in the temple by an angry crowd.
Paul on trial — arrest, trials, and the road to Rome, chapters 22–28
Chapter 22The defence to the crowd	Paul tells the crowd the story of his conversion; the Romans prepare to examine him.
Chapter 23The plot	A plot to kill Paul is uncovered, and he is moved under guard to Caesarea.		,
Chapter 24The trial before Felix	Paul is tried before the governor Felix, who leaves him in prison for two years.	,
Chapter 25The appeal to Caesar	Before the new governor Festus, Paul appeals to Caesar as a Roman citizen.	,
Chapter 26The defence before Agrippa	Paul makes his defence before King Agrippa, who says he is almost persuaded.	, ,
Chapter 27The shipwreck	Sailing for Rome under guard, Paul is shipwrecked, but all aboard are saved.		—
Chapter 28The arrival in Rome	Landing safely, Paul reaches Rome and preaches there freely under guard.

All 28 chapters. Start reading →

Worth knowing

Key people

Tap a name to see who they are.

Key places

Tap a place to see where it is.

Known for

Some of the book's best-known moments — tap the verse to read it.

The day of PentecostActs 2:4
The stoning of StephenActs 7:59
The Damascus roadActs 9:3
"Almost thou persuadest me"Acts 26:28