The Word of God taken verse by verse. The meanings of the words and verses are explained in context, and in many cases translation from the original written language for the words, phrases, and context are explained.
“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”— Acts 14:22 Context & Key Themes The first missionary journey continues. Paul and Barnabas have been driven out of Pisidian Antioch and are now moving east through the interior of Asia Minor—Iconium, Lystra, Derbe. The pattern Luke established in chapter thirteen tightens here. Enter a…
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”— Acts 13:2 Context & Key Themes Acts 13 marks the beginning of the second half of the book and the beginning of Paul’s missionary career. Everything Luke has been describing up to this point—Pentecost, the scattering, the Samaritan breakthrough,…
“But the word of God increased and multiplied.”— Acts 12:24 Context & Key Themes Acts 12 is the chapter where Luke’s narrative attention returns one last time to Jerusalem and Peter before pivoting permanently to Antioch and Paul. It is also one of the most dramatic chapters in the book. A king kills an apostle….
“And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”— Acts 11:26 Context & Key Themes Peter’s Caesarea visit is not a private event. Word travels fast. By the time he returns to Jerusalem, the circumcision party among the believers has already heard that he went into a Gentile house and ate with the uncircumcised. Acts…
“Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”— Acts 10:34–35 Context & Key Themes Acts 10 is the chapter where the Gentile door is officially opened, and Peter himself is given the key. Up to this point, the…
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”— Acts 9:4 Context & Key Themes Acts 9 contains the single most consequential conversion in the history of the church. Saul of Tarsus, the most zealous persecutor of Christians alive, is stopped on a road by the risen Christ and turned inside out. Within three days he has…
“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”— Acts 8:4 Context & Key Themes Stephen’s death is not the end of the church in Jerusalem. It is the shove that sends the church out of Jerusalem. Acts 8 is the first chapter where the mission actually moves beyond the city, and the shape…
“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”— Acts 7:56 Context & Key Themes Stephen, falsely accused of blasphemy against Moses and the temple, stands before the same Sanhedrin that condemned Jesus. He is given the floor to answer the charges, and he uses it…
“And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”— Acts 6:15 Context & Key Themes The church is growing rapidly—five thousand men believed in chapter four, multitudes of men and women added in chapter five. With growth come growing pains. Acts 6 opens…
“We must obey God rather than men.”— Acts 5:29 Context & Key Themes The church has just been described as being of one heart and soul, with no needy person among them. Barnabas has sold his field and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5 opens with what looks like…