Carefully, paragraph by paragraph, the book of Acts has been evaluated in the following pages. Each paragraph in the ESV translation of Acts has been evaluated and a factual statement about its content was recorded in one sentence. Also, all the “That’ll preach!” verses were listed sequentially by reference under the statement about the paragraph in which they can be found. My definition of a “That’ll preach” passage is: any verse that contains a nugget of truth applicable for the modern day believer to motivate them to change or action. The possible topics found within these passages are listed after the verse address is listed. For a PDF of this Outline for the Book of Acts, Click here.
I pray this will be useful for the exposition and preaching of God’s Word for God’s people.
Outline for the Book Of Acts
| Chapter 1 | Description: |
| 1:1-3 | The recipient of the letter, Theophilus, is identified and the resurrection of Christ and His on going ministry through the Apostles is confirmed. |
| 1:4-5 | A Command is given for the apostles to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit arrives. |
| 1:6-11 | Jesus clarifies for the apostles what work is to be done before God ordains the establishment of His kingdom. |
| That’ll Preach!1:7-8 |
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| 1:12-14 | The apostles return to Jerusalem to pray. |
| 1:15-19 | Peter addresses the apostles and the other 120 gathered there and speaks of Judas’ suicide and the necessity for him to be replaced to fulfill scripture. |
| 1:20 | Peter quotes from Psalm 69:25 and 109:8, predicting the death of Judas and the prophecy of His replacement. |
| 1:21-26 | The apostles pray and cast lots to find which man would take Judas place among the other eleven apostles; Matthias was chosen. |
| Chapter 2 | Description: |
| 2:1-4 | With sounds of a mighty wind and seen through tongues of fire, the Holy Spirit fills the apostles and they are given the gift of speaking in other tongues. |
| That’ll Preach!2:1-4 | What did it look like when the Holy Spirit came to the believers for the first time?
What does it look like when He comes and dwells in believers today? |
| 2:5-13 | The Jews have come from all different geographic locations and are surprised to hear the apostles speaking of the mighty works of God in their own tongue. |
| 2:14-15 | Peter dispels the rumor that the apostles are drunk seeing as how it is only 9 a.m. |
| 2:16-21 | Peter quotes for the prophet Joel (See Joel 2:28-32) to prove that this was fulfilling what had already been written. |
| 2:22-24 | Peter peaches to the men of Israel affirming Christ’s earthy ministry, His innocent death for which they are guilty, and Christ’s power over death. |
| 2:25-28 | Peter quotes David in Psalm 16:8-11 to further illustrate the prophecy fulfilled by Christ’s resurrection and His continued reign at the right hand of God. |
| 2:29-34 | Peter speaks of David’s prophetic statements as evident in Christ’s resurrection rather than David himself being raised and ruling at the right hand of God. |
| 2::34-36 | Psalm 110:1 is quoted to show its foretelling of Christ sitting that right hand of God and reigning as Lord. |
| 2:37-41 | The apostles begin obeying the command of God by baptizing for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit; about 3,000 were baptized. |
| That’ll Preach!2:37-41 |
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| 2:42-27 | The Church is now being built as the number of saved people is growing and the believers are selflessly giving of themselves and devoting themselves to the apostles teaching. |
| That’ll Preach!2:42-47 | The newly formed Church now involves itself in several activities:
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| Chapter 3 | Description: |
| 3:1-10 | John and Peter were on their way to the temple to pray and stopped to heal a man who was lame from birth causing him to walk and leap into the temple to praise God; this miracle amazed the people. |
| 3:11-16 | Peter tells the people to give all glory to Christ for the miracle, but challenges their astonishment reminding them that Israel crucified their own Messiah but God raised Him from the dead. |
| 3:17-26 | Peter explains that although Christ’s death was a fulfillment of prophecy, Israel still acted in ignorance and for this must repent so that they can receive redemption. |
| Chapter 4 | Description: |
| 4:1-4 | The apostles are arrested and imprisoned for preaching the resurrection Christ but the number of saved still increased to about 5,000. |
| That’ll Preach!4:3-4 | Even when the Church faces difficulty and opposition, God’s Church can (and will) still grow because God’s plan is unstoppable! |
| 4:5-12 | The apostles are questioned by the high priest as to what authority they have been given to heal (the crippled man), and Peter replies that it is only by the name of Jesus that true redemption comes. |
| 4:13-22 | Peter and John are threatened to not speak any longer of the name of Christ and are dismissed, but the apostles stay true in the face of opposition and vow to do what I right in the sight of God. |
| That’ll Preach!4:13 | Our God will choose to use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things! |
| 4:23-31 | The new Church gathered to praise God for His sovereignty as they recall Old Testament Prophecy (Psalm 2:1-2) and realize that it is being fulfilled right before their eyes. Their meeting climaxes with a might display of God power as the walls literally shake. |
| 4:32-37 | The believers were united in their vision and beliefs and were taking care of each other by giving the possessions for the distribution among the needy. |
| That’ll Preach!4:36-37 | Barnabas is an exceptional example to the believers that our whole lives are to be about “Encouragement” (like his name) and we do this by giving back what we have been given.
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| Chapter 5 | Description: |
| 5:1-6 | Ananias died a sudden death after being confronted by Peter about holding back some of the proceeds from the sale of his land and not giving it all to the Lord. |
| 5:7-11 | Ananias’ wife died suddenly, like her husband after Peter had asked her why he and her husband chose to “Test the Spirit of God.” |
| 5:12-16 | Multitudes were added to the number of saved as a result of the great miracles that the apostles were able to perform. |
| 5:17-21a | The Sadducees became jealous of the apostles great work and had them arrested, but an angel of the Lord freed them to return to the temple and teach. |
| That’ll Preach!5:19-20 |
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| 5:21b-26 | The prison was found empty, yet the lock and the guards were still in place; nonetheless the high priest sent for the apostles to be arrested again. |
| 5:27-32 | The Sanhedrin accuse the apostles of disobeying what they had told, to never preach again, but peter explained that they will Obey God above men, and keep preaching about the Christ the Sanhedrin had killed. |
| 5:33-42 | The most respected layer of that time, a man named Gamaliel, warned the Sanhedrin to leave the men alone because if this truly was of God, there was nothing that would stop them; so they took his advice and let the apostles go. |
| That’ll Preach!5:41-42 |
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| Chapter 6 | Description: |
| 6:1-6 | The Greek-speaking Jews brought their concern to the apostles about the lack of care for the widows, so a team of seven men were appointed to meet the need. |
| 6:7 | The ministry of the word of God continued and the numbers of believers multiplied including a great number of priests became obedient to the faith. |
| 6:8-15 | Stephen (one of the key believers appointed to care for the widows) was also performing great signs and wonders when some people from the synagogue falsely accused him of preaching a counterfeit gospel of Moses and that Jesus planned to destroy the law of God; in all this Stephen stayed true and his face shown like and angel. |
| Chapter 7 | Description: |
| 7:1 | The high priest questions Stephen if he has truly spoken blaspheme. |
| 7:2-8 | Stephen starts his sermon with an illustration of God’s covenant by telling of Abraham; his point is that God keeps his promises. |
| 7:9-16 | Stephen continues by telling of the life of Joseph as an illustration that God protects his people. |
| 7:17-22 | Stephen transitions from Joseph and tells of Moses, his adoption, and continual growth in word and deed. |
| 7:23-28 | Moses’ story is continued by Stephen as he tells of Moses’ quarrel with his brothers. |
| 7:29 | Moses fled that land of his brothers and went to Midian and had two sons. |
| 7:30-34 | Stephen preaches about the burning bush incident and God’s words to Moses. |
| 7:35-43 | Stephen illustrates the great way that God used Moses to accomplish His work but he was rejected by the previous generations and therefore God gave then over to their sinful desires. |
| 7:44-50 | Stephen explains the rebellion against the temple of God through the tabernacle and first temple period. |
| 7:51-53 | Stephen condemns his audience for also rebelling against the presence of God during the second temple period and accuses them of resisting the Spirit, killing the messiah the prophets spoke of, and not keeping the law. |
| 7:54-60 | Stephen proclaimed that he had seen the thrown on God in that instant and after say this he was taken out of the city and stoned. |
| Chapter 8 | Description: |
| 8:1-3 | Persecution intensifies for the Church in Jerusalem as Saul now is ravaging to kill off all believers. |
| 8:4-8 | Joy was added to the city of Samaria as Phillip traveled there to preach and perform signs and wonders. |
| 8:9-13 | Simon the great magician in Samaria believes upon Christ and begins to travel with Phillip, amazed at the miracles he could perform. |
| 8:14-24 | Peter and John are sent to Samaria to pray for them so that they may receive the Holy Spirit and after doing so they comforted Simon the magician for wanting to buy his way into the power of the Holy Spirit. |
| That’ll Preach!8:18-23 | We cannot do anything to “Buy” the presence of the Holy Spirit into our lives. It is a gift given to us only by the grace of God through faith. The monetary cost is nothing, but the spiritual cost is everything, and the return on investment will pay for all of eternity! |
| 8:25 | After John and Peter spoke the word of the Lord to Samaria they returned to Jerusalem. |
| 8:26-40 | Phillip is commanded by an angel to go toward Gaza and preach the gospel to a eunuch, after telling him about Christ and baptizing him the Spirit carried him to Azortus and he kept preaching all the way to Caesarea. |
| Chapter 9 | Description: |
| 9:1-9 | Saul asked for a decree from the synagogue to capture Christians, but then on His way to Damascus to carry out the decree he was confronted by the Lord. |
| 9:10-18 | Ananias was called to go and pray for Saul so that he may have restored sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. |
| 9:19-22 | Paul goes into the synagogue and proclaims and proves that Jesus was the Christ, and all who heard him were amazed. |
| 9:23-25 | The Jews plotted to kill Saul so his disciples helped him escape through the wall of Damascus in a basket. |
| 9:26-30 | Saul joined the disciples in Jerusalem and preached boldly in the name of Jesus, but the Greek-speaking Jews wanted to kill him so the disciples took him to Caesarea and sent him to Tarsus. |
| 9:31 | The Church grew in peace and number. |
| That’ll Preach!9:31 |
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| 9:32-35 | Peter continues to travel and upon arriving in Lydda he heals a man and the whole town saw the miracle and turned to the Lord. |
| 9:36-43 | The disciples go to Joppa in response to a request for their presence after a follower of Christ named Tabitha had died; Peter prayed and raised her from the dead, and many believed in the Lord after seeing this miracle. |
| Chapter 10 | Description: |
| 10:1-8 | A devout man of God, Cornelius, was doing good and God’s eyes so an angel of the Lord came to him and told him to send for Simon Peter. |
| 10:9-16 | Peter had a saw a vision in a dream three times of unclean animals portrayed on a sheet and the Lord told him to kill and eat the animals. |
| 10:17-23a | While Peter was perplexed about the meaning of his dream, the messengers of Cornelius arrive telling them about Cornelius and the holy angel that came to him. |
| 10:23b-29 | Peter goes to Caesarea to meet with Cornelius and there explains that he is just a common man and not to be worshiped. |
| 10:30-33 | Cornelius explains to Peter and all those present about the vision he had to call for Peter and listen to what he had to say. |
| 10:34-43 | Peter preaches a sermon in the presence of Cornelius and all his relatives proclaiming the message of the Gospel, that Christ is the Messiah, and those who saw him and his resurrection have now become his ministers. |
| 10:44-48 | The Holly Spirit came to all that heard Peter’s preaching – Jew and Gentile alike – and he realized that the Gospel was for all men and commanded that they all be baptized. |
| Chapter 11 | Description: |
| 11:1-18 | Peter was criticized by the some Jewish believers about preaching to the Gentiles so he justifies his case by telling them about his vision and the experience in Caesarea, and after saying these things the Jews praise God. |
| 11:19-26 | The Church in Antioch was flourishing and Barnabas was sent there from Jerusalem to help; he went to get Saul in Tarsus to assist him for one year. |
| 11:27-30 | A prophet named Agabus foretold of a famine that would come over the land, so the disciples sent Barnabas and Saul to help the Christians living in Judea. |
| Chapter 12 | Description: |
| 12:1-5 | James the brother of John is killed by Herod of Agrippa and Peter is imprisoned but the Christians keep praying for him. |
| 12:6-11 | On the eve of Peter’s trial an angel of the Lord came to him and freed him from prison. |
| 12:12-17 | Peter goes to the house of the Mary where other Christians were praying and shares with him how he escaped and them left the to get away to another place. |
| 12:18-19 | Herod was so irate that the soldiers had let Peter escape that he ordered for their death and then left Judea and retreated to Caesarea. |
| 12:20-23 | The people of Tyre and Sidon seek economic help from Herod and begin to think of him as a god, so God curses his with a fatal sickness because of his pride. |
| 12:24 | The word of God increased and multiplied in spite of Herod’s foolishness. |
| 12:25 | After Saul and Barnabus finished their work in Judea, they returned to Jerusalem with John (aka Mark). |
| Chapter 13 | Description: |
| 13:1-3 | The prophets and teachers in Antioch were gathered praying when the Holy Spirit to them declaring that Barnabas and Saul were set apart for special service. |
| 13:4-12 | Barnabas and Paul travel to Cyprus where they are joined by John and are well received by all the people except for the magician Elymas who Paul turned blind because of his unbelief. |
| 13:13-16a | Paul and Barnabas continued on to Paphos, Perga, and after leaving John on to Pisidia where Paul preached in the Synagogue. |
| 13:16b-25 | Paul preaches about Israel’s Messiah and how John the Baptist even foretold of Jesus being the one true Messiah for which they were waiting. |
| 13:26-41 | Paul quotes three Old Testament passages (Ps 2:6-9; Is 55:3; Ps 16:10) as proof that Jesus did fulfill prophecy. |
| 13:42-43 | The Jews in the synagogue of Pisidia accepted Paul’s teaching and longed for more. |
| 13:44-47 | The Jews become jealous of Paul and Barnabas’ following and speak against them, but Paul and Barnabas turn to preach the gospel to the gentiles in order to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy spoken in Isaiah 49:6. |
| 13:48-52 | The Gentiles rejoice as they understand and believe that salvation is also for them; this causes a rising in persecution for Paul and Barnabas by the Jews, but they keep pressing on. |
| That’ll Preach!13:51-52 | In the face of persecution, the disciples were “Filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (52), and shook the dust of their sandals. Believers today must do the same: (1) find joy in the face of the trails and rejection, (2) and “shake the dust off their sandals” and press on to carry the good news of Jesus Christ. |
| Chapter 14 | Description: |
| 14:1-1-7 | Paul and Barnabas are able to preach in Iconium and see many new converts to Christianity, but the Jews are still upset and begin to divide the city and turn some against the apostles; Paul and Barnabas flee to the cities of Lycaonia. |
| 14:8-18 | Paul healed a crippled man in Lystra and because of this the people began to esteem Paul and Barnabas as Hermes and Zeus, but they rebuked the people and pointed them to believe in the one true God. |
| 14:19-23 | Jews from Iconium and Antioch traveled to Lystra to pursued the people again t Paul and Barnabas to the point of stoning Paul to a near death; Paul survives and travels to Derbe and then returns to the very cities where he was almost killed. |
| That’ll Preach!14:19-23 |
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| 14:24-28 | Paul and Barnabas travel through Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia, and Antioch to get back to the disciple where they stayed for a long time and told of all the good this God had done. |
| Chapter 15 | Description: |
| 15:1-5 | The disciples have a disagreement whether or not a person must be circumcised to be saved because many gentiles are making decisions to follow Christ. |
| 15:6-11 | The elders and apostles gather to discuss the necessity of circumcision for salvation, and while doing so Peter stands up and proclaims that God makes no distinction between men, so why do we? |
| 15:12-21 | James states his belief: that the Gentiles who are saved will not be required to be circumcised and simply must abstain from sinful things; he quotes Amos 9:11-12 to justify his decision. |
| 15:22-29 | Paul, Barnabas, Judas (aka Barsabbas), and Silas are sent to Gentiles in three cities (Antioch, Syria and Cilicia) with a letter from the apostles and elders to announce the decision about no additional requirements for salvation except for abstinence from sin. |
| That’ll Preach!15:22-29 | Who is the gospel for? ALL MEN! We do not have do anything or be from any specific blood line to be worthy of the salvation of Christ. God intended it to be for all men! |
| 15:30-25 | After reading the letter in Antioch the Gentiles rejoice; Paul and Barnabas stay to minister in Antioch while the others go to share to good news to other cites. |
| 15:36-41 | Barnabas and Paul have a disagreement whether or not John (aka Mark) should go with them; unable to solve it, they split ways – John and Barnabas go to Cyprus while Paula and Silas go to Syria and Cilicia. |
| Chapter 16 | Description: |
| 16:1-5 | Paul meets a young man named Timothy who is well esteemed by the other believers in Lystra and Iconium, so he invited him to travel with him but first circumcises him in respect to his mother’s Jewish heritage. |
| 16:6-10 | As Paul, Silas and Timothy travel they are directed by the Spirit they are directed where to go and where not to go; Paul sees a vision of a man asking for help in Macedonia, so they immediately respond. |
| 16:11-17 | A woman in Thyatira named Lydia, who was a merchant of expensive royal garments, makes a decision of faith and is baptized by the disciples. |
| 16:16-18 | Another girl was met on the way to the prayer meeting who was a demon possessed fortune teller; at first Paul did nothing to free her, but finally becoming annoyed he cast the demon out of her in the name of Jesus. |
| 16:19-24 | The owners of the girl who was demon possessed were upset that Paul had cast out the demon because they made money off of that girl, so they ceased Paul and Silas and dragged them before the rulers who had them beaten and jailed. |
| 16:25-34 | As Paul and Silas were praying and praising God from Jail, a great earthquake happened and the bonds broke off and the cell opened, the jailer was about to kill himself but after Paul spoke to him and he was astonished; he was saved, baptized, and then tended to their wounds. |
| 16:35-40 | The city officials learn that the men they had beaten and imprisoned are Roman citizens so they become very afraid, they apologize and release them. |
| Chapter 17 | Description: |
| 17:1-9 | Paul and Silas preach three Sabbaths in a row in the Synagogue of Thessalonica and many Jews and Gentiles are saved; the Jews become jealous of Paul and search to kill him but instead abuse, humiliate and steel from Jason, the man Paul and Silas were staying with. |
| 17:10-15 | Paul, Silas and Timothy go to Berea and preach in the Jewish synagogues and many people are saved; the Jews in Thessalonica hear about this and go to Berea to stir up the Jews against him, so Paul retreats to Athens and later the others join Him. |
| 17:16-21 | Upon Paul’s arrival in Athens he is disturbed by all the idols; the people (including the philosophers) don not understand his message so they invite him to justify the gospel before Areopagus. |
| 17:22-31 | Paul preaches a sermon against the pagan beliefs of Athens, specifically their “Unknown God,” and presents that we can know the one true God. |
| 17:32-24 | The people who heard Paul’s message reacted in three ways: (1) some mocked him; (2) Some wanted to hear more again later, (3) some joined him and believed. |
| Chapter 18 | Description: |
| 18:1-4 | Paul left of Athens and went to Corinth where he worked as a tentmaker with Claudius and preached the Word of God in the Synagogue every Sabbath. |
| 18:5-11 | Paul continued to preach but the Jews did not accept him so he moved on to the Gentiles and many were saved and got baptized; God spoke to Paul in a dream telling him to not stop preaching in Corinth, so he stayed for 18 months. |
| 18:12-17 | The Jews attack Paul and bring him before Gallio, the Proconsul, but he refuses to deal with their case because it is not dealing with the law of the land, but it is dealing with their own beliefs. |
| 18:18-21 | Paul cut his hair because he was under a vow, then he continued on to Ephesus where he preached in the synagogues and was begged to stay but he declined. |
| 18:22-23 | Paul traveled to Caesarea and Antioch greeting the church, then continued through out Galatia and Phrygia strengthening the disciples. |
| 18:24-28 | Apollos, an eloquent teacher and man filled with wisdom from the Scriptures, preaches about Christ but only knows about John the Baptist; Priscilla and Aquila tell him the rest and he becomes greatly used by God to encourage the church. |
| Chapter 19 | Description: |
| 19:1-7 | Paul finishes Apollos’ unfinished work; when he arrived in Ephesus he found about 12 men who had believed the message about he messiah but had not yet heard of Jesus, so Paul told them, prayed for them and baptized then and they received the Holy spirit. |
| 19:8-10 | Paul spoke for three months in the synagogue of Ephesus and after he faced hostility of some he started to speak daily in the hall of Tyrannus. |
| 19:11-20 | Paul is doing great signs and wonders and healing many; the seven brothers of Sceva see this and attempt to heal in the name of Jesus but the spirits do not recognize them so they leave the body and beat them; this caused magicians to seize and many to believe. |
| That’ll Preach!19:15 (and surrounding) |
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| 19:21-22 | Paul declares that he will visit Rome after staying in Asia a while longer and then visiting Jerusalem. |
| 19:23-27 | A silversmith named Demetrius gathers to the other tradesmen together and convinced them that Paul is bad for their business of idol making. |
| 19:28-34 | The angry mobs of tradesman enter the amphitheatre and beat Paul’s traveling companions while declaring “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” for two hours. |
| 19:35-41 | The town clerk quiets the mob with a logical argument, convincing them that the men they are beating have not done anything unlawful and that if they really have a problem they need to go through the court system. |
| Chapter 20 | Description: |
| 20:1-6 | Paul traveled to Greece where he spent three months until he was forced to leave after the Jews plotted to take his life; therefore he continued to Troas with seven men. |
| 20:7-12 | Paul breaks bread and teaches the believers in Toras at a midnight service, but while doing so a boy fell asleep and out the window to his death; Paul raises him from the dead and the people are very comforted. |
| 20:13-16 | Paul hurries through many cities and around Asia in order to return to Jerusalem for the Pentecost. |
| 20:17-18a | Paul sent from Miletus an invitation to all the elders of Ephesus calling them to come to him for an important message. |
| 20:18b-35 | Paul shares with the elders a message of great encouragement about the progression of the ministry of the gospel. |
| That’ll Preach!20:22-23 | Every move we make as believers needs to be “Constrained in” or “Bound in” the Holy Spirit – meaning that we do it all for his glory and we trust Him for direction, comfort and anointing. |
| 20:36-38 | Paul finishes speaking to the elders and prays with them; tearfully they accompany him in prayer and then on to the ship for him to leave to Jerusalem. |
| Chapter 21 | Description: |
| 21:1-6 | Paul made his journey to Tyre and was warned not to go on to Jerusalem, so the disciples prayed and said farewell to Paul and they returned home. |
| 21:7-14 | Paul goes to Ptolemais for one day and then onto Caesarea to stay with Phillip; there a man named Agabus prophesied about his imprisonment; his sojourners begged him not to go to Jerusalem but he protested, so they declared, “Let the will of God be done.” |
| That’ll Preach!21:10-14 | We cannot live in fear of what may happen or let he What if situations of life hold us back from following God’s will. It is easier for us to coward back from what may require boldness, rather than walk confidently that God’s ways will prevail. |
| 21:15-16 | Paul and the disciples went to Jerusalem and stayed with Mnason of Cyprus. |
| 21:17-26 | Paul joins James and all the elders in Jerusalem and reports about how God had bee saving the Gentiles; then the elders report to him that he is being accuses of being against the law so he must take a vow to show otherwise. |
| 21:27-36 | The Jews in Asia turn a mob of people against Paul and seek to kill him but they are stopped by the Tribune and Paul is put in barracks until he could find out the facts about him. |
| 21:37-40 | The Tribune assumed that Paul was a former Egyptian that had been in rebellion, but after learning he was not, he granted Paul his request to speak to the people. |
| Chapter 22 | Description: |
| 22:1-2 | Paul addresses the people in the Hebrew language, requesting they hear his defense. |
| 22:3-5 | Paul shares how he was at one time educated at the feet of Gamaliel, zealous for the knowledge of God, and a persecutor of Christians. |
| 22:6-11 | He tells of the Damascus road experience that led to his conversion. |
| 22:12-16 | Paul tells them about the Christian, Ananias, who was brought to him by the Lord so that he may have restored sight and be baptized in Spirit and in water. |
| 22:17-21 | Paul explains that he was in the synagogue in Jerusalem when the Lord led him away from the Jews and was sent to the Gentiles. |
| 22:22-29 | After Paul finished preaching the mob continued to yell for his death, but as he was being tied up in the barracks he revealed his nationality; Because Paul was a Roman by birth the centurions were terrified and released him. |
| 22:30 | The Tribune was till curious to find out why the people hated Paul so much, so in a lawful manner, he placed a council together and called Paul to speak to them. |
| Chapter 23 | Description: |
| 23:1-5 | Paul declares he has lived before God in all good conscience and for this statement Ananias, the high priest, has him beaten so Paul lashes out at the High priest; He didn’t know who he was speaking to, so he apologized. |
| 23:6-10 | A dispute breaks out in the room between the Pharisees and Sadducees after Paul announces that he is a Pharisee; The Tribune is afraid the riot will kill Paul so he has him removed. |
| 23:11 | The lord visits Paul in prison telling him to take courage and that he will testify in Rome just as he had in Jerusalem. |
| 23:12-15 | More than 40 Jewish leaders vowed that they would not eat or drink until they killed Paul, so they plan to call his trial before the Tribune and kill him on the way. |
| 23:16-22 | Paul’s nephew hear word of the Jew’s plan to kill Paul, so they go the barracks to tell him and he commands them to go and inform the Tribune, so they do. |
| 23:23-25 | 470 horsemen, spearmen and soldier are commanded to take Paul at 9 p.m. and travel with him to Felix in Caesarea. |
| 23:26-30 | The Tribune, Claudius Lysias, writes a letter to Felix explaining why he is sending Paul to him. |
| 23:31-35 | Paul is taken to Caesarea as ordered by the Tribune and upon his arrival is question as to his nationality and then imprisoned in Herod’s praetorium. |
| Chapter 24 | Description: |
| 24:1-2a | Five days after Paul arrived in Caesarea, Ananias, the high priest, some elders, and the spokesmen Tertullus present their case against Paul to the governor. |
| 24:2b-8 | Tertullus explains that Paul stirs up riots, that he is a ringleader for the Nazarene sect and that he has tried to profane the temple. |
| 24:9 | The Jews stood in agreement with the high priest and the elders. |
| 24:10a | The governor granted Paul the chance to speak with a head nod. |
| 24:10b-21 | Paul speaks out in his defense saying that he in no way has been a political rebel nor has he defiled the temple, for this is against his very goals and beliefs; herein he acknowledges that he is a leader in the Way. |
| 24:22-23 | Felix does not make a decision then, but promises to come to a decision at a later time; meanwhile Paul is allowed more liberties while being under close watch. |
| 24:24-27 | Felix kept Paul imprisoned for two years and would converse with him often in hopes of receiving money from Paul: he never did receive any bribe, so at the end of his term he left Paul in prison as a favor for the Jews. |
| Chapter 25 | Description: |
| 25:1-5 | The Jews try and convince Fetus to bring Paul to Jerusalem for a trial so that they can ambush him on the way, but Festus refuses saying that if they have a problem with him then it needs to be tried in Caesarea only. |
| 25:6-12 | Festus puts Paul on trial, but the Jews are unable to bring any valid accusations before him; Paul pleads innocent to all their charges and appeals to Caesar and his wish is granted. |
| 25:13-22 | Festus informs the monarch about Paul and the trail that he conducted for the Jews which ended in nothing more than waiting for an appeal to Cesar. |
| 25:23-27 | Festus brings Paul to stand before King Agrippa in order that something maybe found of him that would require him to be sent for further trial. |
| Chapter 26 | Description: |
| 26:1 | Agrippa grants Paul permission to speak, so he stretches out his hands and begins. |
| 26:2-3 | Paul explains his gratitude for Agrippa’s understanding of the Jewish law and requests his patience in listening to his whole case. |
| 26:4-8 | Paul explains his past as a strict Jew, relating to them and their belief, and then challenging them as to why they can’t believe God can raise the dead. |
| 26:9-11 | Paul claims that of all Jews, he was one that was most apposed to the Name of Jesus of Nazareth. |
| 26:12-18 | Paul tells King Agrippa about his Damascus road experience and conversion. |
| 26:19-23 | After telling of his conversion, Paul reports of his obedience to tell all Jews and Gentiles of Jesus who suffered and was raised again. |
| 26:24-29 | Festus protest Paul, accusing him of being crazy, but Paul retorts that he is speaking the truth; the King asks if Paul is trying to convert him to be a Christian, and Paul says yes, I hope so…you and all those here today! |
| 26:30-32 | Paul is declared innocent by Festus but must be sent on to further trial because he appealed to Cesar. |
| Chapter 27 | Description: |
| 27:1-8 | Paul is handed over to Julius the centurion and travels through many cities and ports on multiple ships to get to the city of Lasea; Paul was treated kindly the whole trip. |
| 27:9-12 | Paul spoke to Julius informing him that it was not safe for them to travel, but Paul’s comments were disregarded and the Captain and owner of the ship pressed on. |
| 27:13-20 | As they were slowly moving along the shore a mighty storm, named “Northeaster,” came over the ship; they tried to find protection by staying close to the island of Cauda and by throwing their cargo and tackle over, but their lives were in great danger. |
| 27:21-26 | Paul stood in the face of the storm and declared that he had heard from the Lord that hey would be okay but that they must get on to the island for the ship is going to be destroyed. |
| 27:27-32 | The men made and effort to get to land, but Paul said that they all must stay in the ship to be saved, so they cut the boat free. |
| 27:33-38 | Paul again declares that “not even a hair on your head will perish” because God had made it clear to him through an angel, so he tells them that they need to eat. |
| 27:39-44 | The ship soon fell to pieces so the passengers, and prisoners alike, were all commanded to make way to the land. |
| Chapter 28 | Description: |
| 28:1-6 | Paul was kindling the fire when he was bit by a poisonous snake; the people concluded that he was a murdered, but after he shook it off and experienced no pain they saw him as a god. |
| 28:7-10 | Paul meets the leader of the island and heals his father from sickness and near death; he did the same for all the sick on the island and when it came time for him to depart he was given everything he needed for his journey. |
| 28:11-16 | Paul is encouraged along his journey to Rome because he made three brief stops and found fellow Christians in each port. |
| 28:17-22 | After three days in Rome Paul meets with the Jewish leaders living there and tells them about himself and the accusations that were brought against him; the leaders have heard nothing of it but are willing to hear his case. |
| 28:23-28 | Paul preached the messages of Jesus to them, but only some believed causing the Jews to dispute amongst themselves; the dispute increased after Paul quoted Isaiah 6:9-10 and stated that the salvation of God ahs been spent to he Gentiles too. |
| 28:29 | This passage is not included in the ESV. Some transcripts continue, recording that the Jews left as Paul was speaking, quarreling amongst themselves. |
| 28:30 | Paul lived in Rome for two years, willingly and joyfully accepting all visitors and proclaimed the message of Jesus Christ passionately and unencumbered. |
| That’ll Preach!28:30 | We must follow Paul’s hospitable spirit, being inviting to saved and unsaved alike, and always preaching the message of Christ’s salvation, rule and reign. |
[1] I found this list in Wilmington’s Outline Bible. I thought it was a great break down to this passage as it points out in a list form the origin of some of the traditions we still partake of in the Church today.
