📖 The Book of Acts – At a Glance
📂 Chapter-by-Chapter Flow
- Acts 1–7 – Church is born, Spirit descends at Pentecost, Peter preaches, Stephen martyred.
- Acts 8–12 – Gospel spreads to Samaria & Gentiles, Saul converted, persecution increases.
- Acts 13–21 – Paul’s missionary journeys; churches planted across the Roman world.
- Acts 22–28 – Paul arrested, testifies before rulers, sails to Rome, preaches despite chains.
👤 Character Studies
- Peter – Leader, preacher, miracle worker.
- Paul – Missionary, defender of the faith.
- Stephen – First martyr, bold in testimony.
- Barnabas – Encourager, mentor, missionary partner.
- Philip – Evangelist to Samaria & Ethiopia.
- Others – Silas, Timothy, Lydia, Aquila & Priscilla.
🌱 Growth of the Early Church
- From Jerusalem → Judea → Samaria → Rome.
- Persecution fuels gospel expansion.
- Spirit raises leaders and multiplies disciples.
✝️ Major Sermons
- Peter (Acts 2) – Repentance, thousands saved.
- Stephen (Acts 7) – Testimony before Sanhedrin.
- Paul (Acts 17) – Preaches in Athens.
- Paul (Acts 26) – Testifies before Agrippa.
🔑 Key Themes
- Holy Spirit – power, guidance, boldness.
- Gospel for all nations – Jews & Gentiles alike.
- Persecution & suffering – gospel unstoppable.
- Church life – prayer, teaching, fellowship.
- Signs & wonders – miracles confirm message.
⚖️ Councils & Conflicts
- Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) – Salvation by grace, not law.
- Doctrinal clarity: faith in Christ alone.
- Disputes: Paul & Barnabas part, but mission continues.
🕊 The Holy Spirit in Acts
- Acts 2 – Pentecost, Spirit fills believers.
- Acts 4:31 – Boldness in persecution.
- Acts 13 – Spirit guides missionary journeys.
- Acts 10 – Spirit fills Gentiles, confirming salvation for all.
✨ Summary: Acts is the Spirit-empowered story of how the gospel spread from Jerusalem to Rome through ordinary believers who turned the world upside down.