About Acts

Acts is the forty-fourth book of the Bible, written by Luke the physician as the second volume of his two-part work (continuing from the Gospel of Luke), composed around AD 62-80 and spanning 28 chapters. Formally titled the Acts of the Apostles, the book records the birth and rapid expansion of the early Christian church from Jerusalem through Judea and Samaria and ultimately to Rome, fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit poured out at Pentecost. It follows especially the ministries of Peter in the first half and Paul in the second half, recording extraordinary missionary journeys, miraculous works, persecution, councils, and the unstoppable advance of the gospel across cultural and geographic barriers. Major themes include the power and leading of the Holy Spirit, the inclusion of all nations in God's people, courageous witness in the face of persecution, the nature of the early church community, and the universal scope of the gospel. Key chapters include Acts 2 (Pentecost and Peter's sermon), Acts 9 (Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus), and Acts 16 (the Macedonian call and the Philippian jailer). Famous verses include Acts 1:8 -- You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth -- and Acts 2:42 (the church devoted to the apostles teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer). Acts KJV Bible reading models Spirit-empowered mission. Read the Book of Acts online here in full.

Along the way Acts records Stephen's martyrdom, Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, and the founding of churches from Philippi to Corinth, closing with Paul preaching freely under guard in Rome.