Acts is full of adventurous stories starting with the ascension of Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and Paul's willingness to spread God's word. The following is a brief summary by chapter:
ACTS SUMMARIES BY CHAPTER:
- Chapter 1-- "Ascension of Jesus" - Jesus tells the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit, to be His witnesses and He ascends into heaven. They choose the replacement for Judas.
- Chapter 2-- "Beginning of the Church" - The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost, and Peter preaches to the crowd.
- Chapter 3-- "Crippled Man Healed" - On the way to the temple, Peter and John, saw a man who had been crippled since birth. Peter commands him in the name of Jesus to stand and walk. The man is healed and many witnessed.
- Chapter 4-- "Defense of Peter & John" -- Peter and John are imprisoned for preaching Jesus' name and released with a stern warning. By this time the church at Jerusalem may have exceeded 15,000 members.
- Chapter 5-- "Execution of Annanias and Sapphira" -- Annanais and Sapphira lied to the apostles about their contribution, both are struck dead. The Apostles are arrested again only to be freed by the Angel of the Lord. The apostles are brought before the council again, beaten, and then released.
- Chapter 6 -- "Feeding of the Needy Widows" -- Because of the problems with helping the needy, the church appoints seven men to handle this responsibility. Stephen began to preach, Jewish leaders are distraught and have him brought before them.
- Chapter 7-- "Gospel Preached by Stephen" - Stephen is the first Christian martyr. Stephen is stoned to death after preaching.
- Chapter 8 -- "Holy Spirit Given to the Samaritans" -- Philip is in Samaria preaching. The apostles from Jerusalem went to impart to them the Holy Spirit. Simon tries to buy the power of the Holy Spirit. The story of the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch.
- Chapter 9-- "Impossible Made Possible" -- Saul hears the voice of Jesus on the road to Damascus. Instead of persecuting the Christians of Damascus. Ananias preaches to him and he is baptized.
- Chapter 10-- "Justification given to the Gentiles" -- Cornelius and his family are converted because of Peter's preaching. Peter's vision from God convinces him that the Gospel is for the Gentiles and the Jews. The Gospel is for ALL.
- Chapter 11-- "Kindness of Barnabas extended to Saul" -- Peter shares the story of the conversion of Cornelius with Jerusalem. Story moves to Antioch where Barnabas brings Saul to share the message. Antioch is the first place the followers of Jesus are called "Christians."
- Chapter 12-- "Lord rescues Peter from prison" -- Peter is imprisoned to be beheaded by Herod, but is released by an angel. The rest of the chapter records Herod's fate-- he is consumed by worms.
- Chapter 13-- "Missionary Journeys begin" -- Saul has a name change - he becomes known as Paul. Holy Spirit sends Barnabas and Paul on the first Missionary Journey.
- Chapter 14-- "Network of churches established" -- Paul and Barnabas story of their missionary journey continues. Paul and Barnabas heal a lame man and are mistaken for the gods, Zues and Hermes.
- Chapter 15-- "Council at Jerusalem and the 2nd Missionary Journey" -- The Jerusalem council meets and writes a letter to the Gentile believers.
- Chapter 16-- "Timothy joins Paul and Silas" -- Paul has a dream and they receive the Macedonian Call. Lydia is converted in Philippi. Paul and Silas are thrown in prison. Jailer asks, "What must I do to be saved?" The jailer and his household become believers.
- Chapter 17-- "Paul in Thessalonica and Berea - Escapes to Athens" -- The Jews chase Paul out of Thessalonica and Berea; he escapes to Athens, and talks to the philosophers.
- Chapter 18-- "Paul in Corinth for 2 years" -- Paul is in Corinth preaching and teaching. He meets Aquila and Priscilla, and later meets Apollos in Ephesus.
- Chapter 19-- "Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Spirit & the Riot in Ephesus" -- The disciples of Ephesus were baptized by John. Paul asks them about their belief in Jesus and they all received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Chapter 20-- "Paul preaches all night, Raises Eutychus from the dead" -- After the Riot in Ephesus, Paul left for Macedonia. Paul preached all night to the crowd in Troas. Eutychus falls to his death, he fell asleep while sitting in a window. Paul lays on him and brings him back to life.
- Chapter 21-- "Paul goes back to Jerusalem" -- Paul tells everyone about his journeys and what God had done among the Gentiles. Paul is arrested and they were attempting to kill him. The crowds get in an uproar and he ends up being released to speak to the crowd.
- Chapter 22-- "Retelling the Story" -- Paul tells his testimony to the Jewish Mob, and saves himself a flogging by asserting his Roman citizenship.
- Chapter 23-- "Paul before the High Council, Plot to kill Paul" -- Paul stands trial before the Sanhedrin and divides the Pharisees and the Sadducees. 40 men try to kill Paul.
- Chapter 24-- "Paul's trial before Felix" -- The trial against Paul is held in Caesarea, but nothing comes of it. Paul is imprisoned for 2 years. Felix is replaced by Festus.
- Chapter 25-- "Paul accused again, another trial" -- The Jews accuse Paul, who appeals his case to Caesar.
- Chapter 26-- "Paul speaks up for himself" -- Paul speaks to Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice about his story.
- Chapter 27-- "Paul sails for Rome" -- Paul sails for Rome and is in a storm. Paul is shipwrecked on Malta.
- Chapter 28-- "Paul goes to Rome" -- Paul is bit by a poisonous snake and survives. Finally, they make it to Rome where Paul gets a house and proclaims the Kingdom of God without fear.