Acts Archives

We Must Obey God Rather than Men; Selecting the Seven (Acts 5:29 and 6:1-7)

Should Christians follow the commands of religious or government leaders, when such commands contradict the words of God? We see the apostles' attitude in Acts 5: “We must obey God rather than men”. We consider how this principle was applied by David Lipscomb and other Christians in the Restoration Movement at the time of the

We Must Obey God Rather than Men; Selecting the Seven (Acts 5:29 and 6:1-7) View Lesson

Stephen Preaches and Becomes the First Christian Martyr (Acts 6:8-7:60)

Here we listen to one of the greatest speeches in all of Scripture: Stephen’s bold speech to the Sanhedrin. In it, Stephen lays out the long history of their Jewish forefathers rejecting God’s deliverers and concludes, “You are just like your fathers!” After delivering his blistering rebuke, Stephen is stoned to death. In this lesson we

Stephen Preaches and Becomes the First Christian Martyr (Acts 6:8-7:60) View Lesson

Simon the Sorcerer and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8)

In this chapter we see the gospel spreading to Samaria. Then both Simon the Sorcerer and the Ethiopian eunuch are converted. Topics we consider in connection with these accounts include receiving the Holy Spirit, what happens if one commits serious sin after becoming a Christian, and the mode of baptism in the early church. Teaching

Simon the Sorcerer and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8) View Lesson

Paul's Conversion and Gospel (Acts 9:1-25)

If we want to understand the gospel that Paul preached, we need to start with the story of his own conversion and the message he preached to unbelievers. Only after that should we proceed to his letters. In this lesson we examine the three accounts of Paul’s dramatic conversion story, all found in Acts. In the

Paul's Conversion and Gospel (Acts 9:1-25) View Lesson

Tabitha Raised and the Conversion of Cornelius (Acts 9:26-11:18)

Here we see in Tabitha, who Peter raised from the dead, a tremendous example of a godly woman. However, are the same qualities equally revered in Christian women today? Next, we come to the conversion of Cornelius, opening the gospel door to the Gentiles. Cornelius is described as a “righteous” man, with a life characterized

Tabitha Raised and the Conversion of Cornelius (Acts 9:26-11:18) View Lesson

Gospel to Antioch; an Angel Rescues Peter (Acts 11:19-12:25)

Persecution scatters the disciples as far as Antioch in Syria, destined to become a famous missionary base for spreading the gospel to the east and west. There the disciples were first called Christians: a new name that one early Christian writer saw as fulfilling an Old Testament prophecy. We then return to Jerusalem, where Herod Agrippa

Gospel to Antioch; an Angel Rescues Peter (Acts 11:19-12:25) View Lesson

Paul's First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14)

As church leaders fasted, the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Paul for a special missionary trip. On the island of Cyprus, Paul encounters a false prophet and issues a graphic rebuke. Is it ever appropriate for us to rebuke others like this? At Pisidian Antioch we find the most detailed gospel sermon by Paul

Paul's First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14) View Lesson

The Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-35)

Certain Jewish Christians demand that the Gentile believers be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses. In response, the apostles and elders convene in Jerusalem to resolve the dispute. Understanding this conflict is crucial to understanding passages in several of Paul's letters, including Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Romans. In this passage we also see how

The Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-35) View Lesson

Paul's Second Missionary Journey: Into Europe (Acts 15:36-16:40)

Paul’s second missionary trip is filled with adventures, and lessons for us. How do we handle disagreements between spiritual leaders? What can we learn from Timothy undergoing circumcision, "becoming all things to all men", to reach out to Jews? Here we see God using an unjust prison stay to bring a jailer and his family

Paul's Second Missionary Journey: Into Europe (Acts 15:36-16:40) View Lesson

Paul Preaches in Thessalonica, Borea and Athens (Acts 17)

On Paul’s second missionary journey we encounter the Bereans, who are commended for being “fair minded”. They diligently checked the Scriptures daily to see if Paul was speaking the truth! Then Paul travels alone to Athens. There, in his famous ‘Mars Hill’ sermon, Paul provides a practical example of how to present the gospel to

Paul Preaches in Thessalonica, Borea and Athens (Acts 17) View Lesson