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New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

Overview of Acts

  • A. Preparations for a Worldwide Witnessing Work (1:1-8)

    • Address to Theophilus (1:1, 2)

    • Jesus shows himself during 40 days and speaks about God’s Kingdom (1:3)

    • Jesus instructs the apostles to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promised holy spirit (1:4, 5)

    • Jesus answers the apostles’ question about when the kingdom will be restored to Israel (1:6, 7)

    • Jesus commissions the apostles to be witnesses of him to the ends of the earth (1:8)

  • B. From Jesus’ Ascension to the Outpouring of Holy Spirit at Pentecost 33 C.E. (1:9–2:13)

    • Jesus ascends to heaven, and the promise is made that he will come in the same manner (1:9-11)

    • The apostles gather to pray, together with Jesus’ mother and brothers (1:12-14)

    • Matthias chosen to replace Judas as one of the Twelve (1:15-26)

    • Holy spirit poured out on the disciples, who start to speak foreign languages (2:1-4)

    • Jews from all parts of the Roman Empire hear about the magnificent things of God (2:5-13)

  • C. Witnessing in Jerusalem (2:14–3:26)

    • Peter quotes Joel’s prophecy about the outpouring of holy spirit and Jehovah’s illustrious day (2:14-21)

    • Peter’s speech provides Scriptural evidence that Jesus was resurrected and was made both Lord and Christ (2:22-36)

    • Crowds respond to Peter’s speech; about 3,000 get baptized (2:37-41)

    • The disciples enjoy the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship with one another (2:42-47)

    • Peter heals a lame beggar at the temple gate called Beautiful (3:1-10)

    • Peter speaks at Solomon’s Colonnade (3:11-18)

    • Peter admonishes the people to repent and turn around (3:19-26)

  • D. Witnessing Despite Opposition (4:1–5:42)

    • Peter and John arrested; believers now number about 5,000 men (4:1-4)

    • Peter’s defense before the Sanhedrin (4:5-22)

    • The disciples pray for boldness to keep speaking God’s word (4:23-31)

    • The disciples share possessions (4:32-37)

    • Ananias and Sapphira put Jehovah’s spirit to the test (5:1-11)

    • The apostles perform many signs (5:12-16)

    • The apostles are imprisoned but are set free by an angel from Jehovah (5:17-21a)

    • The apostles again brought before the Sanhedrin (5:21b-32)

    • Gamaliel’s advice about not to “be found fighters against God” (5:33-40)

    • The apostles preach in the temple and from house to house (5:41, 42)

  • E. Ministry of the Word Not to Be Neglected (6:1–7:1)

    • Complaints regarding the distribution of food to widows (6:1)

    • The Twelve choose seven men to oversee the food distribution for widows (6:2-7)

    • Stephen, one of the seven, accused of blasphemy and brought before the Sanhedrin (6:8–7:1)

  • F. Stephen Defends His Faith Before the Sanhedrin (7:2-60)

    • Reviews the era of the patriarchs (7:2-16)

    • Reviews Moses’ early life and leadership and Israel’s idolatry (7:17-43)

    • Points out that God does not live in man-made temples (7:44-50)

    • Accuses his opposers of resisting the holy spirit (7:51-53)

    • Sees Jesus and Jehovah in a vision; stoned to death by opposers (7:54-60)

  • G. The Witnessing Spreads to Samaria and Beyond; Saul’s Conversion (8:1–9:43)

    • Persecution breaks out in Jerusalem; the local congregation is dispersed (8:1-4)

    • Philip’s fruitful ministry in Samaria (8:5-13)

    • Peter and John sent to Samaria; the Samaritans receive holy spirit (8:14-17)

    • The former magician Simon tries to buy the free gift of holy spirit (8:18-24)

    • Philip sent to preach to an Ethiopian eunuch (8:25-40)

    • Saul travels to Damascus to persecute the disciples (9:1, 2)

    • In a light from heaven, Jesus reveals himself to Saul (9:3-9)

    • The disciple Ananias sent to help Saul (9:10-19a)

    • In Damascus, Saul preaches about Jesus (9:19b-25)

    • Saul visits Jerusalem and speaks boldly in Jesus’ name (9:26-30)

    • The congregation throughout the whole of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enters a period of peace (9:31)

    • Peter ministers in the cities of the coastal plain; heals Aeneas in Lydda (9:32-35)

    • Peter resurrects generous Dorcas in Joppa (9:36-43)

  • H. The Witnessing Reaches Uncircumcised Gentiles in Caesarea and Antioch of Syria (10:1–12:25)

    • Army officer Cornelius sees a vision and sends for Peter (10:1-8)

    • Peter’s vision of cleansed animals (10:9-16)

    • Peter visits Cornelius, and Cornelius tells about his vision (10:17-33)

    • Peter proclaims the good news to Gentiles; “God is not partial” (10:34-43)

    • Gentiles receive holy spirit and get baptized (10:44-48)

    • Peter reports to the apostles in Jerusalem (11:1-18)

    • Barnabas and Saul preach to Greeks in Syrian Antioch, where the disciples are first called Christians (11:19-26)

    • The Christian prophet Agabus foretells a famine; relief sent to the brothers in Judea (11:27-30)

    • King Herod kills James and imprisons Peter (12:1-5)

    • An angel of Jehovah sets Peter free from prison (12:6-19)

    • Herod struck by an angel of Jehovah (12:20-25)

  • I. Paul’s First Missionary Tour (13:1–14:28)

    • Barnabas and Saul sent out as missionaries (13:1-3)

    • Ministry on Cyprus; proconsul Sergius Paulus and sorcerer Elymas (13:4-12)

    • Paul’s speech in Antioch in Pisidia (13:13-41)

    • Prophetic command to turn to the nations (13:42-52)

    • Increase and opposition in Iconium (14:1-7)

    • People of Lystra think that Paul and Barnabas are gods (14:8-18)

    • Paul survives stoning in Lystra (14:19, 20)

    • Paul and Barnabas strengthen the congregations (14:21-23)

    • Paul and Barnabas travel back to Antioch of Syria (14:24-28)

  • J. The Jerusalem Meeting Regarding Circumcision (15:1-35)

    • The dispute in Antioch regarding circumcision brought to Jerusalem (15:1-5)

    • The apostles and elders in Jerusalem meet; testimonies from Peter, Paul, and Barnabas (15:6-12)

    • James’ proposal based on the Scriptures (15:13-21)

    • Letter from the governing body in Jerusalem (15:22-29)

    • The congregations encouraged by the letter (15:30-35)

  • K. Paul’s Second Missionary Tour (15:36–18:22)

    • Paul and Barnabas go separate ways (15:36-41)

    • Paul selects Timothy as a traveling companion (16:1-5)

    • Vision of the Macedonian man; the witnessing spreads to Europe (16:6-10)

    • Lydia’s conversion in Philippi (16:11-15)

    • Paul and Silas imprisoned in Philippi (16:16-24)

    • The jailer and his household baptized (16:25-34)

    • Paul requests an official apology (16:35-40)

    • Paul and Silas in Thessalonica (17:1-9)

    • Paul and Silas in Beroea (17:10-15)

    • Paul in Athens (17:16-22a)

    • Paul’s speech at the Areopagus (17:22b-31)

    • Different reactions to Paul’s speech; some become believers (17:32-34)

    • Paul’s ministry in Corinth (18:1-17)

    • Paul returns to Antioch of Syria via Ephesus (18:18-22)

  • L. Paul’s Third Missionary Tour (18:23–21:17)

    • Paul departs for Galatia and Phrygia (18:23)

    • Eloquent Apollos gets help from Priscilla and Aquila; travels to Achaia (18:24-28)

    • Paul arrives in Ephesus; some disciples rebaptized, now in Jesus’ name (19:1-7)

    • Paul’s teaching activities in Ephesus (19:8-10)

    • Jehovah’s word prevails despite demonism in Ephesus (19:11-20)

    • Riot in Ephesus; crowd rushes into the theater (19:21-34)

    • The city recorder of Ephesus quiets the crowd (19:35-41)

    • Paul in Macedonia and Greece (20:1-6)

    • Eutychus resurrected in Troas (20:7-12)

    • Paul leaves Troas for Miletus (20:13-16)

    • Paul encourages Ephesian elders to pay attention to themselves and to God’s flock (20:17-38)

    • En route to Jerusalem (21:1-14)

    • Arrival in Jerusalem (21:15-17)

  • M. Paul’s Imprisonment in Jerusalem (21:18–23:35)

    • Paul follows the elders’ counsel (21:18-26)

    • Riot in the temple; Romans arrest Paul (21:27-36)

    • Paul allowed to address the crowd (21:37-40)

    • Paul’s defense before the crowd; he describes his own conversion (22:1-21)

    • Paul takes advantage of his Roman citizenship (22:22-29)

    • Sanhedrin assembled (22:30)

    • Paul speaks before the Sanhedrin (23:1-10)

    • Paul strengthened by the Lord (23:11)

    • Conspiracy to kill Paul (23:12-22)

    • Roman soldiers transfer Paul to Caesarea (23:23-35)

  • N. Paul’s Imprisonment in Caesarea (24:1–26:32)

    • Accusations presented against Paul (24:1-9)

    • Paul’s defense before Felix (24:10-21)

    • Paul’s case put on hold for two years (24:22-27)

    • Paul’s trial before Festus; “I appeal to Caesar!” (25:1-12)

    • Festus consults with King Agrippa (25:13-22)

    • Paul’s defense before Agrippa (25:23–26:11)

    • In his speech before Agrippa, Paul describes his own conversion (26:12-23)

    • Festus’ and Agrippa’s responses (26:24-32)

  • O. Paul’s Journey to Rome (27:1–28:16)

    • Paul leaves Caesarea for Rome on a ship from Adramyttium (27:1-12)

    • Storm strikes the ship (27:13-38)

    • Shipwreck (27:39-44)

    • Ashore on Malta; Paul survives a snakebite (28:1-6)

    • Paul cures Publius’ father and others (28:7-10)

    • On to Rome via Syracuse, Rhegium, and Puteoli (28:11-16)

  • P. Paul in Rome (28:17-31)

    • Paul speaks to Jewish leaders in Rome (28:17-29)

    • Paul preaches with boldness for two years (28:30, 31)