What is Acts about?
Acts continues Luke’s account from Jesus’ ascension to Paul’s witness in Rome. The Holy Spirit empowers a diverse movement that begins in Jerusalem, crosses social and geographic boundaries and repeatedly negotiates what Gentile inclusion means. Speeches, journeys, conflicts, imprisonments and legal hearings show the message advancing despite opposition.
A four-part reading map
- Acts 1–7 — witness in Jerusalem: ascension, Pentecost, shared life, temple proclamation, internal crises, seven appointed servants and Stephen’s death.
- Acts 8–12 — Judea, Samaria and new crossings: Philip, Ethiopian official, Saul’s call, Peter and Cornelius, Antioch and Peter’s escape.
- Acts 13–20 — commissioned journeys: Barnabas and Paul, synagogue and Gentile audiences, Jerusalem council, Macedonia, Athens, Corinth and Ephesus.
- Acts 21–28 — arrest and journey to Rome: Jerusalem conflict, hearings before governors and king, dangerous voyage, Malta and guarded ministry in Rome.
Sample questions and answers
Track repeated summaries of growth and distinguish descriptive events from commands; Acts narrates development across different settings rather than prescribing one identical sequence for every community.
What happened while Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns in prison?
Reference: Acts 16:25–26
A violent earthquake shook the foundations, opened the doors and loosened the prisoners’ chains.
Who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot among the twelve apostles?
Reference: Acts 1:23–26
The disciples cast lots, and Matthias was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Who was the first Christian martyr recorded in Acts?
Reference: Acts 6:8–15; 7:54–60
Stephen was stoned after bearing witness before the council.
On the road to which city did Saul encounter the risen Jesus?
Reference: Acts 9:1–6
Saul was travelling to Damascus when a light from heaven flashed around him.
Who explained the Scriptures to the Ethiopian official?
Reference: Acts 8:26–40
Philip met the Ethiopian official on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza and explained Isaiah’s prophecy.
Which couple died after lying about the proceeds from the sale of property?
Reference: Acts 5:1–11
Ananias and Sapphira falsely represented the amount they had received from the sale.
Who raised Tabitha, also called Dorcas, from the dead?
Reference: Acts 9:36–42
Peter prayed, told Tabitha to get up and presented her alive to the believers.
What trade did Paul share with Aquila and Priscilla?
Reference: Acts 18:1–3
Paul stayed and worked with Aquila and Priscilla because they were tentmakers.
Which young man fell from a window while Paul was speaking?
Reference: Acts 20:7–12
Eutychus fell from a third-storey window, and Paul later embraced him alive.
On which island was Paul shipwrecked?
Reference: Acts 27:39–44; 28:1
After the shipwreck, the survivors learned that the island was called Malta.
Which woman is named as a seller of purple cloth who welcomed Paul in Philippi?
Reference: Acts 16:13–15
Lydia, a worshipper of God and dealer in purple cloth, opened her home after being baptised.
Which married couple worked with Paul and taught Apollos?
Reference: Acts 18:1–3, 24–26
Priscilla and Aquila were Paul’s coworkers and instructed Apollos.
Which Roman centurion received Peter and became a notable Gentile convert?
Reference: Acts 10:1–48
Peter preached in the household of Cornelius.
Which early Christian was nicknamed “son of encouragement”?
Reference: Acts 4:36
The apostles called Joseph by the name Barnabas, meaning son of encouragement.
Which woman in Philippi sold purple cloth?
Reference: Acts 16:14–15
Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth and welcomed Paul’s companions.
What happened to the disciples at Pentecost?
Reference: Acts 2:1–4
The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost.
How to study Acts
Map every city and draw arrows for Philip, Peter, Barnabas and Paul. Keep a speech table listing audience, scriptural argument, response and narrative outcome. Mark Spirit guidance, prayer, meals, opposition and legal protection. Compare Paul’s conversion accounts in chapters 9, 22 and 26 as speeches tailored to different audiences rather than treating variations as accidental duplication. Read the open-ended Rome conclusion as part of Luke’s literary purpose.
Context and interpretation note
Acts selects episodes and speeches rather than giving a complete institutional history. Chronology, historical detail, communal property, Spirit reception and the council’s requirements are interpreted differently. Conflict language involving “the Jews” refers to specific first-century disputes and must not support antisemitism. The quiz tests Acts’ own sequence and explanations, distinguishing narrative description from universal command and avoiding harmonisation that erases different speeches.