Book of Acts Episode 23 - Acts 25-28

We finished the Book of Acts, which really leaves us hanging and does not finish the story of Paul's journeys. So we reviewed the whole book.

The Book of Acts tells the story of how the early Christian church started and spread from Jerusalem to Rome.You can read an in-depth breakdown on the BibleProject Guide to the Book of Acts.

Author: Luke (the same person who wrote the Gospel of Luke)

Main Theme: The Holy Spirit gives power to Jesus's followers to share the good news with the whole world.

Key Verse: Acts 1:8 – Jesus tells his disciples they will receive power from the Holy Spirit and be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Major Outline and Events

1. The Church in Jerusalem (Chapters 1–7)

The Ascension and Pentecost: Jesus goes up to heaven. The Holy Spirit comes down on the believers like wind and fire at Pentecost.

A New Community: Believers share everything together, heal the sick, and face growing anger from religious leaders.

Stephen's Martyrdom: Stephen is killed for his faith, becoming the first Christian martyr. This causes believers to scatter.

2. Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8–12)

The Gospel Spreads: Disciples travel outside Jerusalem to preach. Philip preaches in Samaria.

Saul’s Conversion: Saul, a fierce enemy of the church, meets Jesus in a blinding light on the road to Damascus. He changes his name to Paul and becomes a believer.

Peter and the Gentiles: Peter has a vision from God showing that the good news is for non-Jewish people (Gentiles) too.

3. To the Ends of the Earth (Chapters 13–28)

Paul's Missionary Journeys: Paul travels across the Roman Empire with partners like Barnabas and Silas. They start new churches in different cities and face both belief and intense riots.

The Jerusalem Council: Church leaders meet in Jerusalem to decide that Gentile believers do not have to follow old Jewish legal customs to be saved.

Arrest and Rome: Paul is arrested in Jerusalem. He appeals his case to Caesar and takes a perilous boat journey to Rome. The book ends with Paul under house arrest in Rome, boldly preaching the kingdom of God.