Acts 18

Theme of chapter: Pauls 2nd missionary journey comes to a close, and his 3rd missionary journey begins.

Most important verse: Acts 18:15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

Most prominent word: Corinth (decoration)

Teaching about Christ: Jesus is the Christ. The gospel came to the Jew first and then to the Gentile.

Command to obey: believe on Christ and be baptized into the body of Christ.

Promise to claim: missionaries help get the gospel out to the whole world

New truth learned: true separation of church and state are presented here. the state should have no business in the affairs, and make no judgements against anything that deals with religion and the church. if a school wants to have prayer or not to have prayer, or anything, the state should have no say or jurisdiction in the matter.

Acts 17

Theme of chapter: Paul goes through several cities on his way to Athens, preaching the gospel. And everywhere he went the Jews were right down behind them to stir up people against him.

Most important verse: Acts 17:4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

Most prominent word: Silas (dedicated to God)

Teaching about Christ: Christ calls out a people unto him. It is always a remnant that follows.

Command to obey: Don't worship false Gods, worship the one true God, Jesus Christ.

Promise to claim: The Gospel of Christ has turned the world upside down. He brings light to the darkest places.

New truth learned: The Gospel is being preached to the west as Paul moves through Athens. He spoke of the people there as being too religious as they worshiped every false God imaginable. Paul preaches to them the resurrection of Christ. Some believe and some don't, that is always the way.

Acts 16

Theme of chapter: Paul wanted to go through Asia and the East, but the Holy Spirit directs Paul to spread the gospel to the West.

Most important verse: Acts 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Most prominent word: purple (dealer in purple cloth; )

Teaching about Christ: The power to remove demons from people is given to Paul who had all the sign gifts of the Apostles.

Command to obey: pray in all matters

Promise to claim: there is always a price to pay when following Christ.

New truth learned: Sinful man is moved to action mostly out of greed. Paul exorcised the demon out of the girl who could see the future, and that these men were making money off of. They losing their cash cow had Paul and Silas arrested, beaten and thrown in prison. But what they meant for evil God made for good as the guard and his whole family were saved as a result of the ordeal.

Acts 15

Theme of chapter: The first riff in the church, as saved Pharises tell the church that Gentiles need to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. The Apostles object and after long arguing, Peter speaks up to say that Christ died for all, and only faith is needed. No one can keep the law and it is just a burden to place this on the saved.

Most important verse: Acts 15:10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Most prominent word: consolation (encouragement; comfort)

Teaching about Christ: Faith in Christ is all you need for salvation. works of any kind won't do.

Command to obey: trust in Christ for salvation, not in man or in works.

Promise to claim: Christ lived, died for our sins, and was resurrected by the Father. He will come back to build his kingdom.

New truth learned: The Jews that were saved were still Jews. Old habits die hard, as the now converted Pharises attempted to enact works and the law on the backs of the converted Gentiles. But this is the era of grace, as Christ fulfilled all aspects of the law. Peter and the other Apostles had to step in to set them straight, that we don't live under the law anymore, and that no one can keep the law, it's just a mirror to show us our sins.

Acts 14

Theme of chapter: Paul continues his first missionary journey to Iconium, Lystra and others. In Lystra, Paul heals a man who was crippled at birth. The crowd is amazed and worships Paul and Barnabas as Gods. They quickly denounce them saying they are but men. The crowd eventually turns on them and stones Paul unto death. God raised him up and they went on.

Most important verse: Acts 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

Most prominent word: Gentiles (foreign nation; heathen; pagan)

Teaching about Christ: there was no gospel written yet back in those days. For the apostles to get the word through to the people, Christ gave them the sign gifts of healing and other miracles to get the peoples attention.

Command to obey: do not follow any man, as men are fallible. follow Christ.

Promise to claim: you reap what you sow.

New truth learned: A great example of reaping what you sow here. Paul, then Saul, was there when Stephen was stoned to death and oversaw the whole thing. Now here, he is the one that is being stoned. What goes around comes around.

Acts 13

Theme of chapter: The Apostle Paul begins his missionary journey.

Most important verse: Acts 13:30But God raised him from the dead:

13:39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Most prominent word: Bar-Jesus (son of jesus [joshua])

Teaching about Christ: The Word of God was sent to the Jew first and then the Gentile. Christ fulfilled the law and the prophecies of the old testament concerning him. and yet, many Jews still didn't believe.

Command to obey: believe in Christ to receive forgiveness of sins and justification before the Father. Christians are to help to spread the Word of God to the ends of the Earth.

Promise to claim: Salvation is of both Jew and Gentile.

New truth learned: Paul starts his missionaries always first from the Jewish synagogues and then to the people. In those days, after the reading of law of Moses in the synagogues they allowed a guest to give an exhortation concerning the old testament. Paul took this as an opportunity to preach the gospel.

Acts 12

Theme of chapter: King Herod begins to persecute the church. He kills James the brother of John an imprisons Peter. An angel of the Lord breaks his chains and lets him out. His people can't believe it is him.

Most important verse: Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Most prominent word: quaternions (squad of four soldiers)

Teaching about Christ: God answers prayer

Command to obey: Pray without ceasing.

Promise to claim: for what is impossible for man, is possible for God.

New truth learned: Even though the people prayed without ceasing, their faith was still not enough that God would actually answer their prayers. They couldn't believe it was Peter knocking at the gate. They thought it was his spirit.

Acts 11

Theme of chapter: Peter returns to Jerusalem where he explains his vision and salvation to the Gentiles.

Most important verse: Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

Most prominent word: Joppa (beautiful)

Teaching about Christ: Reiterates that salvation through Jesus Christ is for both the Jew and Gentile

Command to obey: pray often with praise and thanksgiving.

Promise to claim: this is God's universe and he is in control, even when it doesn't look like he is.

New truth learned: The Jews back in Jerusalem were giving Peter a hard time about him going and staying and eating with uncircumcised. Peter told them about his vision, and the people zipped their lip and praised God for granting salvation to the Gentiles.

Acts 10

Theme of chapter: Cornelius is converted by the work of the Holy Spirit through Peter. Peter is also shown by God, that salvation is for both the Jew and the Gentile.

Most important verse: Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Most prominent word: Cornelius (of a horn)

Teaching about Christ: Christ died for everyones sin, bot Jew and Gentile.

Command to obey: pray to the Lord daily in Jesus Christs' name. Christ is our intercessor to the Father.

Promise to claim: God is not a respecter of person.

New truth learned: Peter, being a Jew, had the mindset that Gentiles were unclean. God showed him in a vision that Christ opened the door for all to be saved, and he has no respecter of person, and neither should Peter.

Acts 9

Theme of chapter: Saul meets Jesus on the Damascus road and is converted. He no longer persecutes Christians, but has become one.

Most important verse: Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Most prominent word: Saul (asked of God; dedicated to God)

Teaching about Christ: There's no sin too big for God, Christ died for all our sins, everyone of them.

Command to obey: Come to Christ for salvation, and then be baptized.

Promise to claim: The Holy Spirit is at work in the world, revealing the things of Christ.

New truth learned: Saul, being the main persecuter of the Church, meets Christ face to face and is converted immediately. Shows that you don't choose Christ, but he chooses you. It's up to you how you respond to his invitations.

Acts 8

Theme of chapter: Saul consented to Stephen's death and begins to persecute the church having believers arrested. Philip is now the outreach, taking Stephen's place preaching and healing, showing great miracles and wonders. Simon the sorcerer represents evil entering the church(can't beat'em from the outside, beat'em from the inside), and finally an Ethiopian is converted.

Most important verse: Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Most prominent word: bewitched (to amaze; astound; confuse)

Teaching about Christ: The Holy Spirit in the world reveals the things of Christ.

Command to obey: heed the leading of the Holy Spirit, and believe on Christ.

Promise to claim: Salvation is not of works, but of belief in Christ.

New truth learned: Simon the sorcerer was the first religious racketeer in the church. He wasn't truly saved, and even wanted to pay for the spiritual gifts that the Apostles possessed for his own profit. Much like the so called faith-healers of today. Evil from the outside never hurt the church, in fact, it scattered it out of Jerusalem to go throughout the world, but once evil gets in the church that's how the church is hurt.

Acts 7

Theme of chapter: Stephen is falsely accused of many things by false witnesses accusing him with lies and half-truths. Stephen's response is an old testament history lesson from Abraham on up to Jesus Christ. The religious leaders become furious, throw him out of the city and stone him.

Most important verse: Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

Most prominent word: Stephen (victor's wreath)

Teaching about Christ: Christ is the head of the church.

Command to obey: have faith in Christ for salvation. there is but one way.

Promise to claim: following Christ will cost you something.

New truth learned: Stephen becomes the first martyr of the church.

Acts 6

Theme of chapter: Needs arose, so deacons are appointed to handle day-to-day operations of the church, so the Apostles could concentrate on praying and giving the word out.

Most important verse: Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Most prominent word: Grecians (Grecian Jew; Hellenist)

Teaching about Christ: Organization in Christs' church is shown, with preachers concentrating on getting the word out, and deacons appointed to take care of day to day operations to free the preachers time up.

Command to obey: pray and meditate on the word; be filled with the Holy Spirit as he has great power and wisdom.

Promise to claim: doing God's work will surely bring persecution in some manner. ask not for it to be removed, but to have the strength to endure.

New truth learned: the church was growing by leaps and bounds and needed workers to handle the daily operations. Stephen and Philip are two prominent ones appointed. Stephen worked many wonders and miracles amongst the people, and was immediately brought unto the religious leaders, as they seeked to destroy him.

Acts 5

Theme of chapter: Ananias and Sapphira sell a possession and give to the church. But they kept a portion of the proceeds for themselves lying about how much they gave. God strikes them both down. The Apostles continue to preach the gospel and are persecuted by the Sadducees.

Most important verse: Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Most prominent word: life (physical or spiritual; eternal life)

Teaching about Christ: the early church had great power and was to be pure, that's why the lying was punished by death.

Command to obey: help get the word of God out to all the world

Promise to claim: followers of Christ and doers of the Word (not just hearers) will be persecuted at some level.

New truth learned: The Apostles didn't whine and plea for God to remove them from their situation, but instead prayed for strength and even rejoiced for being counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ.

Acts 4

Theme of chapter: The apostles are arrested by the Sadducees after preaching and healing a man. Upon asking the apostles by what power did they heal the man, they replied by the power of Jesus Christ that they had crucified. Sadducees hearts were hardened and they warned them to not preach anymore.

Most important verse: Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Most prominent word: salvation (rescue; deliverance; safe from the righteous wrath of God)

Teaching about Christ: Jesus Christ is the one name by which we must be saved.

Command to obey: seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit daily in prayer and study of the bible(chew the cud)

Promise to claim: Christ died on the cross for our sins, and was resurrected by the Father and is our only hope of salvation.

New truth learned: The Sadducees didn't believe in the resurrection and are now public enemy #1 against the church. The Pharises have faded from the scene as they had wanted him killed, and that was over with.

Acts 3

Theme of chapter: Peter and John perform a miracle healing a lame man. The people are in wonder, and Peter gives them a history lesson of the prophets.

Most important verse: Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Most prominent word: alms (charitable gift)

Teaching about Christ: Christs healing power was given to the Apostles (the church at this time)

Command to obey: repent of your sins and become converted

Promise to claim: this is the church age until the day Christ comes back.

New truth learned: The very Jewish people who should know scripture had to be given a history lesson about the prophets, for them to understand the healing power of Christ through the Apostles. As they looked upon the Apostles as the source of power.

Acts 2

Theme of chapter: The day of Pentecost is come. The holy spirit comes out of heaven to Earth. The Apostles filled with the Holy Spirit speak in the various people's native tongue, the word of God. They are amazed and some don't believe and mock them as being drunks. Peter gets through to many of them and 3,000 were saved that day.

Most important verse: Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Most prominent word: Pentecost (fiftieth day after Passover)

Teaching about Christ: As Jesus said before he ascended, he would send the Holy Spirit unto the world. He did and gave birth to the church on that day.

Command to obey: repent of your sins. repent doesn't mean to say you're sorry, although that is part of it. it is to turn away from your sins, as to not do them anymore.

Promise to claim: Jesus is the risen Lord and Christ.

New truth learned: The church began in Jerusalem with only Jews. It then spread out to nearby towns, and on and on, engulfing the world.