The Book of  Acts

Acts tells the story of the early Christian church and how Christianity spread to other parts of the world. It covers the first years of the Christian church. Most people who study the Bible feel that Jesus' disciple, Luke, was the author of Acts. They feel that the Book of Luke and the Book of Acts were meant to be together. They also feel that Luke may have planned to write a third book.

The 2 important people in the Book of Acts are Peter and Paul.  Some important events that happen in Acts are the coming of the Holy Spirit, the persecution of Christians, the conversion of Saul (Paul), and the spread of Christianity to other parts of the world.

Acts 25


Festus travels to Jerusalem and learns about the Jews accusations against Paul.


The new governor, Festus, came to the province. Three days later, he went to Jerusalem.
[1] Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.


The high priest and the leader of the Jews told him about Paul. They wanted him to bring Paul to Jerusalem.  They had a plan to attack Paul on his way to Jerusalem and kill him.
[2] Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
[3] And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.


Festus said that Paul will stay in Caesarea. Festus was going there, too, and was leaving soon.
[4] But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
 

He told them they could go with him to Caesarea. They could accuse Paul there if they felt he did something wrong.
[5] Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.


After 10 days, Festus left Jerusalem and went  back to Caesarea.  The next day, he ordered Paul to be brought to court.
[6] And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.


Paul came into court. Jews from Jerusalem stood up. They made many accusations against Paul.  But they had no proof.
[7] And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.


Paul defended himself.  He said he hadn't done anything against the Jewish law, the law of the temple, or the laws of Caesar.
[8] While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.


Festus wanted to keep the Jews happy. He asked Paul if he would go to Jerusalem for a trial, and he would be the judge.
[9] But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

Paul said he was appealing to Caesar. He said that was the right place for him to be judged.  He said Festus knows he hasn't broken any Jewish laws. If he had done anything bad enough for the death penalty, he would not fight it. But he said he had done nothing wrong.
[10] Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
[11] For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.


Festus discussed this with the people who helped him.  Then he told Paul he would be sent to Caesar to be judged.
[12] Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.


King Agrippa and his sister, Bernice, came to Caesarea to see Festus.
[13] And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.


After they had been there a few days, Festus discussed Paul with King Agrippa. He told him that Paul was a prisoner left from the time of Felix. He said that when he was in Jerusalem, the Jewish chief priests and elders told him about Paul. They want to have a trial and then kill him. But he told them it was not the Roman law to kill a man before having a fair trial face-to-face so he can defend himself.
[14] And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
[15] About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
[16] To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
 

Festus told Agrippa how the Jewish leaders came to Caesarea. The next day,  Festus sat as the judge. He ordered that Paul be brought to him.  One of the Jewish leaders stood up and accused Paul of crimes. But they weren't the kind of crimes that Festus thought they would be.
[17] Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
[18] Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:


The Jewish leaders were upset with Paul because of Jesus. Jesus was dead, but Paul said he is alive. Festus told Agrippa that he had doubts about those questions. He asked Paul if he would go to Jerusalem for a trial.  But Paul asked to have a trial with Caesar Augustus. So Festus said he ordered that Paul stay in Caesarea until Festus could send him to Caesar.
[19] But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
[20] And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
[21] But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.


Agrippa said that he would like to hear Paul.  Festus said he could hear him the next day.
[22] Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

 

Paul witnesses to King Agrippa.


The next day, Agrippa and Bernice came in with a big parade. They came to the room for hearing cases.  The leaders of the city were there. Festus made an order, then Paul was brought in.
[23] And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.

 

Festus said, "King Agrippa and all men here. You see this man. He is the man that many Jews have talked to me about. They talked to me about him in Jerusalem and also here.  They say he should not live any longer.  But I judged that he is not guilty of anything worthy of death.  He has appealed to Caesar Augustus.  I have decided to send him there, but I don't have anything to write about him. I have brought him to you, King Agrippa. After you examine him, I may have something to write about him.  It doesn't seem right to send a prisoner to Rome and not tell what the crimes are against him."
[24] And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
[25] But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
[26] Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
[27] For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
 

Act 26
 

Acts 27


Paul starts on his journey to Rome.


It was decided that Paul would sail to Rome, Italy. The soldiers took Paul and some other prisoners to a man named Julius. He was a Roman centurion.
[1] And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
 

They got on a ship in the city of Adramyttium. The plan was to sail on the sea near the coasts of Asia.  A Macedonian man from Thessalonica named Aristarchus was with them.
[2] And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.


The next day, they landed at the place named Sidon. Julius gave Paul some freedom. He let him meet with some of his friends.
[3] And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.


After that, they sailed south of Cyprus because the winds were so strong.
[4] And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.


Then, they sailed over near Cilicia and Pamphylia. They came to the city in Lycia named Myra.
[5] And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.


In Myra, Julius found out about a ship that was going to Italy so he moved Paul and the others to that ship.
[6] And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.


They sailed slowly because the wind was not strong. They went past Cnidus, Crete, and Salmone.
[7] And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;

Soon, they got to a place called the Fair Havens near the city of Lasea.
[8] And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

 

Paul's ship hits very bad weather.


A lot of time had passed because they had been slow. It was getting dangerous to sail. It was past the time of the fast of Yom Kippur. Paul warned them. He told them he felt that it was dangerous to sail. It was dangerous for the lives of the people and dangerous for the ship's cargo.
[9] Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
[10] And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.


The centurion didn't believe Paul.  He believed the owner of the ship. The owner didn't want to stay in that place for the winter. He wanted to get to Phenice before winter started.
[11] Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
[12] And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

The wind started blowing from the south, so they thought it was a good time to leave.  They sailed near Crete, then a very strong wind called Euroclydon started blowing. It was a bad storm, and the ship couldn't be controlled.
[13] And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
[14] But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
[15] And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.


They continued near the island of Clauda. The crew continued to try to save the boat.
[16] And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
[17] Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

The boat continued to be tossed around in the wind. The next day, they threw heavy items off the boat so that it would be lighter.
[18] And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;


On the third day, they used their own hands to throw out some of the boat's equipment to make the boat lighter.
[19] And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.


For many days, it was stormy day and night. The wind was very strong.  They knew the boat was going to sink.
[20] And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.


He had been quiet for a long time. But then Paul stood up in the middle of everyone.  He told them they should have listened to him. They should have stayed in Crete, and this wouldn't have happened. He told them to cheer up because no one will die. The boat will sink, but no one will die.
[21] But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
[22] And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
 

He said an angel of God stood by him that night. Paul said he belongs to God and serves God.
[23] For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,


The angel told Paul not to be afraid.  He will be taken to Caesar. The angel told him that everyone on the boat will live.  Paul said he believed what the angel said. But they will land on a certain island.
[24] Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
[25] Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
[26] Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.


On the 14th night, they continued to sail around in the Sea. Around midnight, the ship's crew decided they were near land. They tested the water to see how deep it was. First, it was 20 fathoms deep (120 feet). Then, they were a little further and found it was 15 fathoms deep (90 feet).
[27] But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
[28] And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.


The crew wished it was daylight so they wouldn't hit any rocks. Then they put 4 anchors out of the boat. The crew was getting the lifeboat ready. But they pretended they were only putting another anchor out.
[29] Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
[30] And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

Paul told the soldiers that only the people who stayed in the boat would be saved. So, the soldiers cut the ropes and let the lifeboat fall into the water.
[31] Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
[32] Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.


When it was almost day, Paul told the other people to eat. They had been fasting for 14 days. He told them they should eat because none of them will get hurt.
[33] And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
[34] Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.


After he said that, Paul took some bread. He thanked God in front of all the others. After that, he started to eat. The other people felt better, so they started to eat, too.
[35] And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
[36] Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.


There were 246 people in the boat. After they ate, they made the boat lighter by throwing all of the food into the sea.
[37] And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
[38] And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.


When it was day, they saw land but they didn't know where they were. They saw a creek going into the shore. They thought they could take the boat in there if they tried.
[39] And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.


They cut the anchors loose, and they fell into the sea. They loosened the bands on the rudder. They raised up the big sail so the wind could make the ship move to the shore.  The ship ran aground on the beach. The front of it stuck in the sand and couldn't be moved. The back part was broken up by the waves.
[40] And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
[41] And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.


The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners so that none of them would swim away and escape.
[42] And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.


But the centurion wanted to save Paul. So he kept them from killing any prisoners.  He ordered that the ones who could swim should jump into the water and swim to the beach.  The others should float to the beach on broken boards and broken pieces of the ship.  So, all of them got out and made it safely to land.
[43] But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
[44] And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
 

Malta is a tiny island south of  Sicily and Italy.

Acts 28


Paul is shipwrecked on the island of Malta.


After they got to land, they found that the island was named Melita (Malta)
[1] And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.


The people who lived on Malta were very kind. It was raining and cold, so they made a fire and helped everyone who had been on the ship.
[2] And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

Paul gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire. A snake came out of the fire and latched onto his hand with its teeth.
[3] And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

The people from Malta saw the poisonous snake on Paul's hand. They said to themselves that Paul must be a murderer. He escaped the sea, but the snake bite will kill him for punishment.
[4] And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

Paul shook the snake off his hand. The snake went into the fire. The snake was poisonous so Paul's hand should have been swollen or Paul should have died instantly.  But nothing happened to him. The people from Malta changed their minds. Now they thought Paul was a god.
[5] And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
[6] Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

 

From BiblePlaces.com

This is the bay in Malta where Paul's ship was believed to have wrecked.

This St. Paul's Shipwreck Church on the island of Malta.

The leader of the people on Malta was named Publius. He owned the land the boat was on. He greeted them and let them stay with him for 3 days.
[7] In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
 

Publius' father was sick with a fever and bleeding.  Paul went to see him. He prayed with him and laid his hands on him. The man was healed.
[8] And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

After that, other sick people on the island came to see Paul, and they were healed.
[9] So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:


The people on Malta honored Paul and the others.  When it was time for them to leave, they gave them supplies.
[10] Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

 

Paul continues his journey to Rome.


3 months later, they left for Rome. They were on a ship from Alexandria, Egypt. This ship had been in Malta until winter was over. The boat was named for the Greek gods, Castor and Pollux.
[11] And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.


First, they landed at the place named Syracuse. They stayed there for 3 days.
[12] And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
 

They found a compass. Then, they went to Rhegium. The wind was blowing from the south. Then, they went to Puteoli. There were Christians in Puteoli. Paul and the others were happy to stay with them for 7 days. Then they went toward Rome.
[13] And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
[14] Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.


Some of the Christians heard about Paul. They went to meet him at the place named Appiforum and the Three Taverns.  When Paul saw them, he thanked God and felt stronger.
[15] And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appiiforum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

 

Paul arrives in Rome


When they arrived in Rome, the Roman soldier took the prisoners to the captain.  Paul stayed in a house by himself , but there was a soldier to guard him.
[16] And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

 

Paul meets with the Jewish leaders in Rome


Three days later, Paul called the leaders of the Jews. When they met, Paul told them that he hadn't done anything against the Jewish laws.  But, he was sent as a prisoner from Jerusalem to the Romans. He said to them, "But the Romans would have let me go. They said I hadn't done anything wrong to deserve death. But the Jews spoke against me, so I appealed to Caesar. But I don't have anything to say against my nation. That's why I have called for you. I wanted to see you and talk to you. I am in chains because I hope for the same as all of Israel hopes for."
[17] And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
[18] Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
[19] But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
[20] For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

 

They said they had not received any letters about him from the Jews in Judaea. No one had come to Rome or talked about him. But they wanted to hear what he thought. They had been hearing about the Jews who became Christians in other places.
[21] And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
[22] But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.


They set a time to meet. Then, many of them came to Paul's house.  He witnessed to them about the kingdom of God and about Jesus Christ. He talked about the law of Moses and the prophecies that predicted Jesus' coming. He talked from morning to evening.
[23] And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.


Some of the people believed the things Paul said, and some did not.
[24] And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
 

They did not agree, so some of them left.  Then Paul talked about the prophet Isaiah. He said the Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to Isaiah. He had told Isaiah, "Go to the Jewish people. They will hear but not understand.  They will see but not understand what they see.  The hearts of the Jewish people are closed. Their ears do not hear, and their eyes are closed. If they understood, their hearts, ears, and eyes would be healed by God."
[25] And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
[26] Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
[27] For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.


Paul told them that now the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.
[28] Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

When Paul said this, the Jews left and debated among themselves.
[29] And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

 

Paul's final years


Paul lived for 2 years in his own rented house. He had many visitors. He preached to them about the kingdom of God and about the Lord Jesus Christ. He talked boldly, and no one kept him from talking about Jesus.
[30] And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
[31] Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

 

The Bible doesn't say exactly how Paul died.  There are traditions (not exact history) that say he was beheaded in Rome by Emperor Nero around the year of 67 A.D. There is a Catholic cathedral in Rome called The Papal Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls (Italian: Basilica Papale di San Paolo fuori le Mura.) It was built by the Roman Emperor Constantine, who became a Christian.  The cathedral was built over the place where tradition said Paul was buried.

"Roma San Paolo fuori le mura BW 1" by Berthold Werner