Bible Study series: Acts 15:1-35. How can Jewish new converts get along with Gentile new converts? And should Gentiles be circumcised to seal their membership in the New Covenant?
The Jerusalem Council
Reply
Category Archives: Acts
Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria
Bible Study series: Acts 14:24-28. A positive and victorious report. Then they got back to work with the disciples.
Persecution, Recovery, and Appointment of Church Leaders
Bible Study series: Acts 14:19-23. Paul was stoned and left for dead. The disciples gathered around him, and he recovered.
A Lame Man Is Healed, and the Town Reacts
Bible Study series: Acts 14:8-18. God cares for people and he will use yielded vessels to heal the one he has chosen to heal.
Proclamation and Persecution
Bible Study series: Acts 14:1-7. We’re still on Paul’s first missionary journey. This post describes the lives of the first generation of Christians.
Gentiles’ Positive Response and Jewish Opposition to Paul and Barnabas
Bible Study series: Acts 13:42-52 At the end of the discourse, Paul and Barnabas were run out of town, though many had been saved.
Was Luke confused about Theudas in Acts 5:36?
What is the answer to the question? What does the evidence say?
Application of Paul’s Discourse: Forgiveness and Warning
Bible Study series: Acts 13:38-41. It’s time to receive the truth of the gospel.
Paul’s Discourse: He Proclaims Jesus
Bible Study series: Acts 13:23-37. Jesus is the Messiah, and God raised him from the dead.
Salvation in the Book of Acts
It seems (to me, at least) that theologians have not built soteriology on the book of Acts. Can we even get theology from a narrative? What if we can and discover a wonderful doctrine of salvation? Yes to both questions.
Paul’s Discourse: Overview of Early Old Testament to King David
Bible Study series: Acts 13:16-22. David will testify that the son of David is the Messiah, who, Paul will say, is Jesus.
Paul and Barnabas Arrive at Pisidian Antioch and Paul Begins a Discourse
Bible Study series: Acts 13:13-15. His discourse is superb, well worth studying in detail.
Barnabas and Saul Reach the Island of Cyprus
Bible Study series: Acts 13:4-12. Cyprus was Barnabas’s home island. Begin at home.
Barnabas and Saul Are Sent Out from Antioch
Bible Study series: Acts 13:1-3 So begins Paul’s / Saul’s first missionary journey. Barnabas went with him. God sent them out through prophecy.
Barnabas and Saul Return to Antioch
Bible Study series: Acts 12:25. Saul (Paul) had gone to Tarsus. It is time for Barnabas to get him for their missionary trip in Acts 13-14, though neither one realizes it at this time. But God does.
Progress of the Word of God
Bible Study series: Acts 12:24. Nothing’s gonna stop it.
Divine Judgment on Herod Agrippa
Bible Study series: Acts 12:20-23. Herod accepted the praise that only God should get.
An Angel Helps Peter Escape from Prison
Bible Study series: Acts 12:6-19. He went to Mary’s house and knocked, and the servant girl Rhoda answered the door. She told those in the house praying for Peter that he was outside, but they did not believe her.
Martyrdom of James and Imprisonment of Peter
Bible Study series: Acts 12:1-5. God did not intervene for James, but he did for Peter. Pray according to God’s will and intervention to be done.
Famine Relief Is Sent to Judea
Bible Study series: Acts 11:27-30. A famine is predicted.
Antioch Becomes a Thriving Christian Base, and Barnabas Finds Saul
Bible Study series: Acts 11:19-26. They were first called Christians there. Barnabas is reintroduced. He is a good man, full of the Spirit.
Peter Is Questioned about Gentile Salvation and Replies
Bible Study series: Acts 11:1-18. Peter returned to Jerusalem and had to answer for his visit with Gentiles.
Cornelius and Other Gentiles Experience Their Own Pentecost
Bible Study series: Acts 10:44-48. This scene continues on the fourth one. Everyone needs their own Pentecost.
Peter Says That Jesus Is for Everyone, in an Overview of Jesus’s Ministry
Bible Study series: Acts 10:30-43. This is the fourth scene in the major kingdom change. It is always best to keep the gospel Christ-centered.
The Spirit Speaks to Peter to Visit Cornelius
Bible Study series: Acts 10:17-29. This is the third scene in the kingdom change on who is acceptable to God. Peter is summoned to a divine appointment. You too can hear the voice of the Spirit.
Peter Receives a Vision about Unclean Things
Bible Study series: Acts 10:9-16. This is the second scene in the biggest shift of God’s dealings with people.
An Angel Visits Cornelius the Centurion, in a Vision
Bible Study series: Acts 10:1-8. This is the opening scene of a global change on who can be saved. It is an amazing story we are about to read.
Peter Raises Tabitha (Dorcas) from the Dead
Bible Study series: Acts 9:36-43. Peter prayed first to hear from the Spirit. He then spoke to her and a miracle happened.
Peter and the Healing of Aeneas
Bible Study series: Acts 9:32-35. Peter performed this wonderful miracle on his preaching tour.
Summary Verse: The Church Grows
Bible Study series: Acts 9:31. This one of six summary verses. The church prospers.
Saul Goes to Jerusalem and Barnabas Supports Him
Bible Study series: Acts 9:26-30. He will soon return to his hometown. Sometimes retreat is the best option when things don’t go your way. Wait for God’s timing.
Ananias Prays for Saul Who Then Boldly Proclaims the Messiah
Bible Study series: Acts 9:17-25. Jesus revealed many things to Saul, before he preached. He did not speak from the hip.
Ananias Is Commanded to Pray for Saul
Bible Study series: Acts 9:10-16. We have to obey God even when we don’t understand it.
Irony Alert! Saul Is on Mission to Arrest Christians but Risen Jesus Arrests Him
Bible Study series: Acts 9:1-9. God arrested Saul while he is on his mission to arrest Jewish believers in Jesus.
Philip Meets an Ethiopian Eunuch
Bible Study series. Acts 8:26-40. This was a divine appointment, set up by the Spirit and an angel.
Peter and John Visit Samaria
Bible Study series. Acts 8:14-25. Peter and John need to validate Philip’s ministry in Samaria.
Philip Goes to Samaria, Preaches Jesus, Works Miracles, and Sees Salvations
Bible Study series: Acts 8:5-13. Philip was not an apostle, yet he worked miracles. The gospel of Christ plus signs and wonders are a powerful means of salvation.
Persecution Breaks Out, and the Church Disperses to Judea and Samaria
Bible Study series: Acts 8:1b-4. There was a general persecution ,and Saul also persecutes them. Everywhere the Christians went, they preached the gospel. Only the apostles remained in Jerusalem.
Stephen Is Martyred
Bible Study series: Acts 7:57-8:1a. Criticizing the temple was a serious offense. He paid with his life. He was the first recorded martyr. (8:1a is divided up like that to fit the flow of the narrative from here to the next chapter.)
The Sanhedrin Reacts and Stephen Sees the Son of Man
Bible Study series: Acts 7:54-56. Now the “empire” (Sanhedrin) strikes back.
Stephen Denounces Sanhedrin’s Hypocrisy
Bible Study series: Acts 7:51-53 Stephen is coming on strong. Fearless!
Stephen Says God Does Not Dwell in Things Made with Hands
Bible study series: Acts 7:44-50. God does not live in the temple. Stephen reveals God presence is not limited to the tabernacle of Moses or Solomon’s temple.
Stephen Denounces Israel’s Apostasy
Bible study series: Acts 7:42-43. Stephen is now punching hard. Don’t hold back!
Stephen: Ancient Israel Wandered in the Wilderness
Bible Study series: Acts 7:35-41. Stephen’s defense is building up to something.
Stephen Tells the Story of the Calling of Moses
Bible Study series: Acts 7:30-34. Stephen knew his Scripture. Moses had a genuine call of God.
Stephen’s Speech: Early Life of Moses
Bible Study series: Acts 7:20-29. Moses was thoroughly educated in the ways of Egypt. But he had to escape from its culture.
Stephen’s Defense: Hebrews in Egypt
Bible Study series: Acts 7:9-19. Stephen’s overview speech is polemical. He’s going on offense, while defending himself. This is his apologia (defense) of the new Christian Movement.
Stephen’s Defense before the Sanhedrin
Bible Study series: Acts 7:1-57 and 8:1a. This is Stephen’s entire discourse in one simplified post. Great overview of the OT story.
Stephen Describes the Age of Patriarchs
Bible Study series: Acts 7:1-8. Stephen begins his speech to the people of Jerusalem, in sight of the temple. He begins at the beginning.
Stephen Stands Strong against Opposition
Bible Study series: Acts 6:8-15. Never surrender to your opposition when you are in the right and God is on your side.
Early Church Takes Care of Widows by Appointing Spirit-Filled Servants
Bible Study series Acts 6:1-7. The early church was learning as it went. It never lost sight of power of the Spirit to qualify servants for special missions.
Apostles Are Flogged, But Rejoice Anyway
Bible Study series: Acts 5:40-42. I wonder how I would respond in these circumstances. Would I remain true to God and his Messiah? I hope that I would, but only by God’s grace and empowerment.
Leading Pharisee Offers Wisdom that Saves Lives
Bible Study series: Acts 5:33:39. God communicates to people who are open and rescues them from an early death when they have a mission to complete.
The Apostles Are Imprisoned but an Angel Releases Them
Bible Study series: Acts 5:17-32. God works miracles to accomplish his purposes. The civil authorities cannot stop God and his people.
Apostles Work Powerful Signs and Wonders in Public
Bible Study series. Acts 5:12-16. By God’s sovereignty, Peter healed them by his shadow.
The Unusual Deaths of Ananias and Sapphira
Bible Study series: Ananias and Sapphira, husband and wife, meet a sudden death, but why?
Unity and Sharing in Earliest Christianity
Bible Study series: Acts 4:32-37. The church unites. Barnabas is also introduced. the twelve apostles approved of him.
Peter and John Report Back to Community and They Pray
Bible Study series: Acts 4:23-31. They prayed for boldness to witness in the face of persecution.
Sanhedrin Threaten Peter and John
Bible Study Series: Acts 4:13-22. The apostles stood strong, in the face of the highest court and council in the land.
Peter, John, and Healed Man Stand Before Sanhedrin
Bible Study Series: Acts 4:1-12 Peter is once again filled with the Spirit, and he proclaims to the Sanhedrin that salvation is found only in Jesus’s name.
The Messiah Was Predicted in the Old Testament
Bible Study Series: Acts 3:22-26. Peter is preaching, based on the Old Testament. The OT is essential for the church today.
Peter Proclaims the Suffering and Resurrected Messiah
Bible Study Series: Acts 3:11-21. God vindicated his Son by raising him from the dead. He is the Messiah Jews have been waiting for.
A Lame Beggar Is Healed
Bible Study Series: Acts 3:1-10. Miracles are possible today
The Church Prays in Unity at Pentecost
Bible Study Series: Acts 2:42-47. Do we belong to a thriving church?
People of Jerusalem and Pilgrims Respond to Peter’s Discourse
Bible Study Series: Acts 2:37-41. It was during Pentecost. Many pilgrims visited the holy city. We must respond to the gospel of the resurrection.
Peter Proclaims the Resurrection
Bible Study Series: Acts 2:22-36. The resurrection is the core to Christianity. God vindicated his Son after the Jerusalem and temple establishment rejected him. Now he has ascended to heaven, guiding his church to reach the globe. This is what the book of Acts is about.
Peter Explains the Outpouring of the Spirit
Bible Study Series: Acts 2:14-21. God wants to give you gifts of inspired speech, to help and bless people. Are you open?
The Promised Spirit Empowers 120 Disciples at Pentecost
Bible Study Series: Acts 2:1-13. We need to be filled with the Spirit. God offers him to people over the centuries, even to us today. Have you received him?
Matthias Is Chosen to Be the Twelfth Apostle
Bible Study Series: Acts 1:21-26. Matthias was selected to be the twelfth apostle. Yet someone was not selected. How do we relate to not being chosen to be on the team?
The End of Judas
Bible Study Series: Acts 1:15-20. How do you minister to really distressed people? What about yourself? How do you back away from your distress?
Earliest Disciples in Prayer
Bible Study Series: Acts 1:12-14. The resurrected Jesus rocked their world, so they prayed in unity and devotedly. I wonder how our prayer life is.
Jesus Ascends into Heaven
Bible Study Series: Acts 1:9-11. How did Jesus go into heaven? Luke describes it beautifully.
Wait for the Promise
Bible Study Series: Acts 1:4-8. What is it? Are we called to study the times and seasons of the end times? What does Jesus say about it?
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
Bible Study Series: Acts 1:4-8. The Spirit is given to us in order to empower us to maintain our intimacy with the Father and the Son and to live a holy life and to distribute gifts to us (1 Cor. 12:7-11). He is the Holy Spirit and lives in us.
We Can Learn from Luke Introducing His History Book
Bible Study Series. Acts 1:1-3. Luke was a careful historian who recorded the events in earliest Christianity. We can learn some things and apply them to our lives
Was Luke a Careless Historian? Three Accounts of Paul’s Conversion
There seems to be one tiny difference in two of the three accounts in Acts 9:1-9; 22:6-11; 26:12-18.
Check Out What Two Genuine Apostles Did and How They Lived: Close Look at Acts 13-14
Apostles are appearing everywhere in modern American churches and around the globe, particularly in Africa and Latin America. What are apostles? What are they supposed to do? Do churches today misapply the title, or are they correct?
What Happened to Judas Iscariot’s Body?
Another seeming Bible contradiction disappears, when we look closely at the accounts in Matthew 27 and Acts 1.
Does Acts 13:48 Teach Divine, Hard Determinism?
In this context, ‘divine, hard determinism’ means the people had no choice but to believe and be saved. God ‘appointed’ them to eternal life. In other words, are Calvinists right to use this verse as one of their most important prooftexts? (I updated this post.)
Book of Acts and Paul’s Epistles: Match Made in Heaven?
How closely and often do Acts and Paul’s epistles agree? Fifteen tables, plus two bonus tables, in this post, laying out the parallels.
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts
Is the book of Acts historically reliable, in comparison to its own Greco-Roman writing culture? Many tables are included, to answer the question.
What Jesus Really Taught about End Times
This summary post covers sample verses from Jesus’s teaching on the end times, throughout the four Gospels (excluding Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 17 and 21, which are covered in separate posts). He simplified. End-time Bible prophecy teachers complicate.
God’s Love and Grace in the Gospels and Acts
It’s about God’s love and favor, not yours for him. Great for a series of sermons or Bible studies or your personal edification.
Acts 28
This is the final chapter of the book of Acts, but not of the acts of God, which go on to this day. Paul gets bitten by a poisonous snake, shakes it off, is unharmed, and then God works healing through his hands. They finally reach Rome, where Paul is at liberty to live in his own rented quarters and preach the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 27
Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus go through a storm and shipwreck. An angel stands before Paul and promised everyone safety. When they followed his directions, they safely reach an island.
Acts 26
Paul delivers a speech before Agrippa and Festus, in Caesarea. Paul recounts his testimony on the road to Damascus. Festus reacts and calls him crazy. Does Paul want to convert him? Agrippa and Festus conclude that Paul is innocent, but he had appealed to Caesar, so the trials go on.
Acts 25
Paul defends himself before Festus, King Agrippa II, and his sister Bernice against the accusations of the Jerusalem establishment, who stood around Paul. He was calm and forceful in his defense. He appealed to “lord” Caesar.
Acts 24
Paul defends himself before Felix at Caesarea. He is kept in custody, discussing with Felix, righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come. Felix is succeeded by Porcius Festus.
Acts 23
Paul appears before the Jewish High Council, a Roman commander rescues him, Jesus personally appears before Paul, a plot by assassins is foiled, and he is taken to Caesarea, where he had landed earlier.
Acts 22
Paul delivers his defense (apologia) to the crowds who were demonstrating against him. It is a masterpiece.
Acts 21
This chapter has all sorts of prophetic words about Paul going up to Jerusalem. He arrives there. The chapter also sees James, the (half-)brother of Jesus, tell Paul to go along with a vow to be a good witness to the law-keeping converts to the Jesus Movement, which he did. A riot promptly beaks out when he is spotted in the temple. In v. 16, Paul’s third missionary journey comes to an end, and his journey to Rome via Jerusalem begins in v. 17.
Acts 20
Paul is on his way to Jerusalem. But first he forms a team, sees a boy named Eutychus survive a fall, and delivers his very moving farewell to the Ephesian elders. This chapter also begins Paul’s journey to Jerusalem (20:16 to 21:17). Please see the timeline table that harmonize Acts 18-25 and Paul’s epistles
Acts 19
Paul is in Ephesus and prays for twelve disciples who need the fullness of the Spirit, seven Jewish exorcists get pummeled, a demonstration erupts because of the goddess Artemis and Paul’s monotheism and the gospel. The fifth “panel” is in this chapter. Also see the ministry timeline set in a convenient table.
Acts 18
Paul finishes up his second missionary journey in v. 22 and begins his third in v. 23. In this chapter, his ministry in Corinth and Ephesus takes center stage. Priscilla and Aquila make their appearance, so does the powerfully effective speaker Apollos, who received more theology about God and the fulness of the Spirit.
Acts 17
Paul is still on his second missionary journey, along with his team, minus Luke, who will rejoin them in Troas (20:5). The Bereans were nobler than the Thessalonians because the Berans searched the Scriptures. Paul preaches his famous discourse to the Areopagus council.
Acts 16
Paul begins his second missionary trip, with Silas. The Spirit leads Paul and Silas not to go into two big regions but to go to Macedonia; the salvation of Lydia and her household; the deliverance of an oppressed girl; a beating, Paul and Silas singing and praying in prison; an earthquake; and a jailer’s and his household’s salvation. Timothy and Luke join Paul’s team.
Acts 15
The council in Jerusalem decided on how Gentiles could be saved. They held to four requirements, which were designed for peaceful fellowship between Messianic Jews and converted Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas split up. After this, Paul and Silas begin Paul’s second missionary trip, all the way to Acts 18:22. And Barnabas and Mark make a second team. Included: Timeline table of Paul’s journey coordinated with his epistles.
Acts 14
This chapter ends Paul’s and Barnabas’s first missionary journey, but not before Paul gets stoned and taken for dead. This chapter includes preaching, a healing miracle, and other signs and wonders. He tailors his message for towards pagans for the first time; then he is challenged by opponents.
Acts 13
This chapter is clearly transitional. In their first missionary journey, Barnabas and Saul go beyond Israel and Antioch and head westward. It includes worshipping and praying and personal prophetic words and spiritual warfare. It has Paul’s first recorded sermon, a masterpiece. This is Paul’s and Barnabas’s first missionary journey (to 14:28). Table: Paul’s travels which is coordinated with a timeline.
Acts 12
James, son of Zebedee, is executed; Peter escapes miraculously from jail; Rhoda’s exuberance, and Herod Agrippa’s sudden death.
Acts 11
Peter explains his eating with Gentiles, Agabus and his team of prophets appear and predict a worldwide famine, and the disciples are first called Christians in Antioch, and Barnabas and Saul are commissioned to bring relief to Jerusalem Christians.
Acts 10
This chapter is the most important one in all the Bible for the description of including the Gentiles into the New Covenant community of God. This transition could happen only through Peter.
Acts 9
In this chapter: Saul’s conversion and Peter healing Aeneas and raising Tabitha from the dead. Thus, Saul and Peter are paired together in different storylines, and clearly Peter is in the lead, for now.
Acts 8
In this chapter, because of the persecution of the Messianic Jews, they have to flee Jerusalem. Philip reaches out to Samaritans, and then to the Ethiopian Treasurer. Philip then gets snatched away by God and ends up at Azotus and preaches the gospel in that region.
Acts 7
Stephen’s speech begins the slow transition from dependence on the temple and towards a more global outreach. God does not dwell in temple buildings made with hands. Stephen is martyred.
Acts 6
The Hebrew and Greek widows complain about distribution of resources. The apostles appoint seven servants to handle the issue. Certain members of a synagogue oppose Stephen and drag him before Caiaphas the high priest.
Acts 5
Ananias and Sapphira are instantly judged. God through the apostles worked many signs and wonders, and the people greatly honored the Messianic community. Some feared to join, but others did. Peter’s shadow was cast on them and miracles happened. The council arrested the apostles and put them in prison, but an angel released them. They went into the temple and preached but were rearrested. Gamaliel gave his speech urging caution about executing them. The apostles were flogged and released but never stopped preaching.
Acts 4
The council (Sanhedrin) arrest Peter and John and the healed man and threaten them. The two apostles say they must obey God instead of man. They return to the Christian community and report what happened. The whole community pray for boldness and share everything in common. The place where they met was shaken, and they are again filled with the Spirit.
Acts 3
The disabled beggar is healed at the gate called Beautiful. Peter, along with John, preaches the second recorded sermon, which is a great overview of OT Scriptures and themes proving Jesus is the Messiah.
Acts 2
The Holy Spirit arrives with great power at the festival of Pentecost. Peter preaches the first sermon after the birth of the church. He tells the Jewish pilgrims that they must repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Three thousand souls were added to the church. Then the earliest community shared everything in common, and more people were being saved.
Acts 1
Luke addresses Theophilus, to whom he dedicated his second volume. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit. He commissions disciples to go beyond Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. He ascends into heaven. Matthias is chosen to replace Judas.
Are ‘Tongues’ the Sign of Baptism with Spirit in Acts?
What do five key passages in Acts say about prayer languages, commonly called ‘tongues,’ being the sign of the empowerment of the Spirit?
Works Cited
Here is a list of the principal works referenced or used at this site. More will be added as time goes on, so please check back.
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 