Book of Acts Bible Studies – Free Chapter by Chapter Bible Study Lessons
The Book of Acts is one of the most exciting books in the Bible. It tells the story of the birth and growth of the early Christian church, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the ministry of the apostles, the spread of the Gospel, the growth of Christian discipleship, and the missionary journeys of the apostle Paul.
This Bible study series on the Book of Acts takes you chapter by chapter through all 28 chapters of Acts, helping you understand the biblical events, people, teachings, miracles, challenges, and spiritual lessons found throughout this remarkable book of the Bible.
Whether you are looking for a Bible study on Acts, studying the Book of Acts for yourself, preparing a Bible study lesson, teaching a Sunday School class, leading a small group, or wanting to grow closer to God through studying His Word, these free Bible studies can help.
Start with Acts 1 below and work your way through all 28 chapters.
Free Bible Studies on the Book of Acts
The Book of Acts contains 28 chapters and provides a historical account of the early church as the Gospel spread from Jerusalem outward to Judea, Samaria, and eventually throughout the Roman world.
Jesus told His followers:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
— Acts 1:8
Acts shows this mission unfolding throughout the book.
The story begins with Jesus' resurrection and ascension, continues with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and follows the apostles and other followers of Jesus as they proclaim the Gospel and establish churches.
The Book of Acts is therefore not simply a history of the early church. It is also a powerful study of faith, prayer, the Holy Spirit, evangelism, discipleship, Christian fellowship, spiritual growth, persecution, missions, and following Jesus.
The Gospel moves from Jerusalem toward the nations, following the mission Jesus gave His followers in Acts 1:8.
Acts Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Studies
Below you will find our growing collection of Bible study lessons from the Book of Acts.
Each chapter study examines important passages and events while looking at what we can learn from God's Word and how those truths apply to our lives today.
Acts 1 – Jesus' Final Words and Ascension Into Heaven
Acts 1 begins with Jesus appearing to His followers after His resurrection. He speaks to them about the kingdom of God and tells them to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit.
Jesus then gives His followers the Great Commission to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
The chapter concludes with Jesus' ascension into heaven and the disciples choosing Matthias to take the place of Judas.
Key themes:
- The resurrection of Jesus
- The ascension of Jesus
- The promise of the Holy Spirit
- Prayer
- God's calling
- Being a witness for Jesus
- Waiting on God
- The Great Commission
Read the complete Bible study:
Acts 1 – Jesus' Final Words and Ascension Into Heaven
Acts 2 – Pentecost, the Holy Spirit and the Early Church
Acts 2 records one of the most important events in the entire New Testament: the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
The disciples are gathered together when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. They begin speaking in other languages, Peter preaches about Jesus, and thousands respond to the Gospel.
Acts 2 also gives us a beautiful picture of the early Christian church and its devotion to biblical teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer, and worship.
Key themes:
- Pentecost
- The baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit
- Speaking in other languages
- Peter's sermon
- Repentance
- Salvation
- Christian fellowship
- Prayer
- The early church
- Spiritual growth
Read the complete Bible study:
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs and Wonders, & the Early Church
Acts 3 – The Healing of the Lame Man and Peter Preaches Jesus
Acts 3 records the healing of a man who had been unable to walk. Peter uses the miracle as an opportunity to point people toward Jesus Christ.
Key themes:
- Faith
- Healing
- The power of Jesus
- Peter's preaching
- Repentance
- Salvation
- Faith in Christ
Acts 4 – Peter and John Before the Religious Leaders
Acts 4 demonstrates the boldness of the early Christians. Peter and John are confronted by religious leaders after preaching about Jesus.
Rather than becoming afraid, the believers pray for greater boldness.
Key themes:
- Boldness
- Prayer
- Persecution
- Faithfulness
- The name of Jesus
- Christian unity
- Sharing possessions
Acts 5 – The Early Church, Ananias and Sapphira, and Persecution
Acts 5 contains the account of Ananias and Sapphira, the apostles' ministry of signs and wonders, and increasing persecution against the followers of Jesus.
Key themes:
- Honesty before God
- The fear of God
- Miracles
- Persecution
- Obedience
- The power of the Gospel
Acts 6 – Choosing the Seven and Stephen's Ministry
As the early church grows, the apostles recognize the need for additional servants to help care for the believers.
Stephen emerges as a powerful witness for Jesus.
Key themes:
- Servant leadership
- Christian ministry
- Wisdom
- The Holy Spirit
- Serving others
- Spiritual maturity
Acts 7 – Stephen's Sermon and Martyrdom
Acts 7 contains Stephen's powerful defense of the Gospel before the Jewish religious leaders.
Stephen becomes the first Christian martyr recorded in Acts, remaining faithful to Jesus even as he is killed.
Key themes:
- Faithfulness
- Persecution
- Courage
- God's faithfulness
- Stephen
- Christian martyrdom
- Forgiveness
Acts 8 – Philip, Samaria and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Acts 8 shows the Gospel beginning to spread beyond Jerusalem.
Philip preaches in Samaria and later encounters the Ethiopian eunuch, explaining the Scriptures and leading him to faith in Jesus.
Key themes:
- Evangelism
- The Gospel
- The Holy Spirit
- Philip
- Salvation
- Discipleship
- Sharing God's Word
Acts 9 – The Conversion of Saul
Acts 9 tells the dramatic story of Saul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.
The man who had been persecuting Christians becomes one of the greatest proclaimers of the Gospel in Christian history.
Key themes:
- Conversion
- Salvation
- God's calling
- Paul's transformation
- The power of Jesus
- Evangelism
- Christian discipleship
Acts 10 – Peter and Cornelius
Acts 10 is a major turning point in the story of the early church as Peter learns that the Gospel is also for Gentiles.
Peter visits Cornelius and his household, and the Holy Spirit comes upon Gentile believers.
Key themes:
- Salvation for all nations
- Gentiles
- The Holy Spirit
- Peter
- Cornelius
- God's guidance
- The Gospel
Acts 11 – The Gospel Spreads to the Gentiles
Acts 11 continues the story of the Gospel reaching Gentiles and describes the growth of the church at Antioch.
The followers of Jesus are first called Christians at Antioch.
Key themes:
- Christian identity
- Evangelism
- Gentile believers
- The early church
- Discipleship
- God's mission
Acts 12 – Peter's Miraculous Escape From Prison
Acts 12 records Peter's imprisonment and miraculous release by an angel.
The chapter also records the death of Herod and demonstrates that God's purposes continue despite opposition.
Key themes:
- Prayer
- God's power
- Deliverance
- Persecution
- Faith
- God's sovereignty
Paul's Missionary Journeys
Beginning especially in Acts 13, the story increasingly follows Paul and his missionary ministry.
The Gospel continues spreading into new regions as Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Luke, and others proclaim Jesus and establish churches.
Acts demonstrates how the early Christians depended upon the Holy Spirit and remained committed to the mission of Jesus despite opposition, imprisonment, persecution, and suffering.
Acts 13 – Paul and Barnabas Sent on Mission
Acts 13 begins the first major missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas.
The Holy Spirit calls and sends them out to proclaim the Gospel.
Key themes:
- Missions
- The Holy Spirit
- Evangelism
- Paul's ministry
- Barnabas
- God's calling
- Sharing the Gospel
Acts 14 – Paul and Barnabas Continue Their Mission
Paul and Barnabas continue preaching the Gospel and encounter both people who believe and people who oppose their message.
Key themes:
- Missionary work
- Faith
- Perseverance
- Persecution
- Church planting
- Discipleship
Acts 15 – The Jerusalem Council
Acts 15 addresses an important question facing the early church: what should Gentile believers be required to do?
The apostles and church leaders gather in Jerusalem to discuss the issue.
Key themes:
- Grace
- Salvation
- Faith
- Church leadership
- Christian unity
- Gentile believers
- Biblical truth
Acts 16 – Paul, Silas and the Philippian Jailer
Acts 16 includes Paul's vision directing him toward Macedonia, the conversion of Lydia, Paul and Silas in prison, and the salvation of the Philippian jailer.
Key themes:
- God's guidance
- Missions
- Prayer
- Worship
- Deliverance
- Salvation
- Sharing the Gospel
Acts 17 – Thessalonica, Berea and Athens
Acts 17 follows Paul as he ministers in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens.
In Athens, Paul speaks to philosophers at the Areopagus and explains the true God and the resurrection of Jesus.
Key themes:
- Apologetics
- Evangelism
- Knowing God
- Resurrection
- Biblical truth
- Sharing the Gospel with different cultures
Acts 18 – Paul in Corinth
Paul ministers in Corinth and continues proclaiming the Gospel despite opposition.
Key themes:
- Evangelism
- Perseverance
- Christian fellowship
- God's protection
- Paul's ministry
- Discipleship
Acts 19 – Paul in Ephesus
Acts 19 records Paul's ministry in Ephesus, powerful demonstrations of God's work, and the dramatic opposition that develops because the Gospel is affecting the city.
Key themes:
- The Holy Spirit
- Spiritual transformation
- Evangelism
- Discipleship
- Spiritual warfare
- The power of the Gospel
Acts 20 – Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
Acts 20 includes Paul's ministry in Macedonia and Greece, the dramatic account of Eutychus, and Paul's emotional farewell to the elders from Ephesus.
Key themes:
- Servant leadership
- Discipleship
- Faithfulness
- Pastoral ministry
- Perseverance
- Following God's calling
Acts 21 – Paul Arrives in Jerusalem
Acts 21 records Paul's journey to Jerusalem and his meeting with James and the elders.
Paul understands that difficult circumstances await him, yet he remains committed to God's calling.
Key themes:
- Obedience
- God's calling
- Courage
- Missions
- Perseverance
- Following Jesus despite opposition
Acts 22 – Paul's Testimony
In Acts 22, Paul shares his personal testimony and explains how Jesus transformed his life.
Key themes:
- Personal testimony
- Conversion
- God's calling
- Evangelism
- Sharing your faith
- Jesus Christ
Acts 23 – Paul Before the Jewish Council
Acts 23 continues Paul's difficult journey through opposition and imprisonment.
God continues working through circumstances that appear to be working against Paul.
Key themes:
- God's protection
- Courage
- Perseverance
- Opposition
- God's sovereignty
- Christian faith
Acts 24 – Paul Before Felix
Paul gives a defense of his faith before the Roman governor Felix.
Key themes:
- Faith
- Integrity
- Evangelism
- Judgment
- Resurrection
- Christian witness
Acts 25 – Paul Appeals to Caesar
Paul appears before Festus and ultimately appeals to Caesar.
Key themes:
- God's providence
- Paul's calling
- Justice
- Perseverance
- Christian witness
Acts 26 – Paul Before King Agrippa
Acts 26 contains one of Paul's most powerful testimonies as he explains his conversion and calling to King Agrippa.
Key themes:
- Testimony
- Conversion
- Evangelism
- Jesus Christ
- God's calling
- Sharing your faith
Acts 27 – Paul's Shipwreck
Acts 27 tells the dramatic story of Paul's journey to Rome and the shipwreck that occurs along the way.
Paul remains confident in God's promise even during a life-threatening storm.
Key themes:
- Faith during trials
- Trusting God
- God's promises
- Perseverance
- Courage
- God's protection
Acts 28 – Paul Arrives in Rome
Acts 28 concludes the Book of Acts with Paul in Rome, where he continues proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about Jesus.
The book ends with Paul preaching and teaching with boldness.
Key themes:
- Missions
- Evangelism
- Perseverance
- God's sovereignty
- The Gospel
- The kingdom of God
- Faithfulness to Jesus
Major Themes in the Book of Acts
As you work through these Bible studies on Acts, several important themes appear repeatedly.
1. The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is central to the story of Acts.
Jesus promised His followers that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. The Spirit empowers believers to witness, guides the early church, directs missionaries, and works through believers as they proclaim Jesus.
Acts therefore provides an important Bible study about the Holy Spirit and Christian living.
2. Prayer
Prayer is another major theme throughout Acts.
The early believers prayed when they faced uncertainty, opposition, persecution, important decisions, and ministry challenges.
Their example provides important lessons about prayer, trusting God, seeking God's direction, and growing closer to God.
3. Sharing the Gospel
Acts is filled with examples of ordinary believers and apostles sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Peter, Stephen, Philip, Paul, Barnabas, Silas, and many others proclaimed Jesus in homes, synagogues, marketplaces, prisons, public gatherings, and before government officials.
This makes Acts an excellent resource for studying evangelism and how to share the Gospel with others.
4. Christian Discipleship
The early church devoted itself to teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, serving others, and helping new believers grow.
Acts demonstrates that becoming a Christian is not merely about making a one-time decision. Followers of Jesus are called to grow in faith and become disciples who help make disciples.
5. Missions
Acts shows the Gospel moving from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and eventually to Rome.
The geographical expansion of the Gospel reflects Jesus' command in Acts 1:8.
This makes Acts an important book for understanding Christian missions, evangelism, the Great Commission, and God's desire for people from every nation to hear the Gospel.
6. Persecution and Perseverance
The believers in Acts experience opposition, imprisonment, threats, beatings, and even death.
Yet they continue following Jesus.
Their example teaches us about faith during difficult circumstances, perseverance, courage, and trusting God when following Christ becomes difficult.
What Can We Learn From the Book of Acts?
Studying Acts can help us understand what it means to live as a follower of Jesus.
As you study these chapters, consider asking yourself:
- Am I growing closer to God?
- Am I spending time in prayer?
- Am I depending on the Holy Spirit?
- Am I faithfully studying God's Word?
- Am I becoming more like Jesus?
- Am I willing to share the Gospel?
- Am I making disciples?
- Am I willing to follow God even when it is difficult?
- Am I trusting God during trials?
- Am I using the gifts God has given me?
- Am I involved in God's mission?
- Am I living as a faithful witness for Jesus?
These questions can turn a study of Acts from simply learning biblical history into an opportunity for spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God.
How to Study the Book of Acts
For the greatest benefit, don't simply read these Bible studies quickly.
Take time to read the chapter of Acts in your Bible first.
Then use the corresponding Bible study to examine the major events, teachings, people, and spiritual lessons.
As you study, pray and ask God to help you understand His Word and apply it to your life.
A simple approach is:
1. Read the chapter
Read the entire chapter carefully.
2. Observe
Look for:
- Who is involved?
- What happens?
- What does Jesus teach?
- What does the Holy Spirit do?
- How do people respond?
- What problems arise?
- How does God work?
3. Understand
Study the historical and biblical context.
Consider how the chapter fits into the larger story of Acts.
4. Apply
Ask:
What does God want me to learn from this passage?
5. Pray
Ask God to help you live out what you have learned.
This approach can turn Bible study into an important part of growing closer to God and developing greater intimacy with Him.
Bible Studies for Individuals, Small Groups and Churches
These Book of Acts Bible studies can be used in a variety of settings.
They can be useful for:
- Personal Bible study
- Daily Bible reading
- Small groups
- Sunday School classes
- Church Bible studies
- Discipleship groups
- Men's Bible studies
- Women's Bible studies
- Youth Bible studies
- New Christian Bible studies
- Sermon preparation
- Teaching about the Holy Spirit
- Studying Christian missions
- Learning how to share the Gospel
The goal is not simply to gain more biblical knowledge.
The goal is to know God more deeply, grow spiritually, become more like Jesus, and faithfully live out the mission He has given His followers.
Grow Closer to God Through His Word
The Book of Acts challenges us to do more than simply learn about the early church.
It challenges us to follow Jesus. No matter what it costs.
The believers in Acts prayed, worshiped, studied God's Word, shared the Gospel, served others, made disciples, endured persecution, followed the leading of the Holy Spirit, and continued proclaiming Jesus wherever God sent them.
As you work through this chapter by chapter Bible study of Acts, my prayer is that you will not only gain a deeper understanding of the Book of Acts, but that you will also grow in your relationship with God.
May these Bible studies help you know God more deeply, love Jesus more passionately, depend upon the Holy Spirit more completely, and faithfully live out God's calling on your life.
Explore 300+ Free Bible Studies and Bible Study Lessons
Start the Book of Acts Bible Study
Begin with Acts 1: Jesus' Final Words and Ascension Into Heaven.
Then continue chapter by chapter through this 28-part Bible study of the Book of Acts as each study becomes available.
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Explore 300+ Free Bible Studies and Bible Study Lessons
The goal isn’t simply to learn more about God.
The goal is to know God personally, love Him deeply, hear His voice, walk with Him daily, and experience a growing intimacy with Him.
Kevin Bart has been a follower of Jesus for over 40 years. Kevin has taught Bible study classes, small groups, and discipleship classes for many years. He developed Pursuing Intimacy With God Bible studies website and book after many years of seeking God and studying His word. Kevin and his wife Nancy have 3 sons and 2 precious grandchildren.
Kevin is a former business owner, and current international missions ministry leader with more than four decades of combined business and ministry experience. After building and running a successful business for 23 years, with God’s guidance and blessings, he sold his company to dedicate himself to full-time global missions.
For over 20 years, Kevin and his wife Nancy have led a self funded international missions ministry. Utilizing learned business and financial management skills, as well as knowledge and experience in travel points and miles, to date they have had more than 5o mission trips to 36 countries in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
After many years of studying the Bible and the Book of Revelation, and writing many Bible studies and articles, Kevin finally finished Unraveling The Mysteries of the Book Of Revelation. Hopefully it will be a blessing to many people.
