A Study of Acts: A Summary of Acts 11-Acts 15

Each devotional reference has a title, a synopsis, a lesson and my prayer.

Mar 07, 2025

Welcome to this summary of my Acts 11-15 devotionals! If you wish to read any of the individual posts in their entirety, go to the Heaven On Wheels Home Page, then use the search “magnifying glass” icon (🔍) to search for either the chapter and verse (Acts 11:1-18, for example) or the title (“Peter Explains His Actions”. I pray that this and the remaining summaries serve you well in your study of God’s Word!

Acts 11:1-18 - Peter Explains His Actions

Synopsis: Peter explains to the church in Jerusalem about his vision and God including salvation for Gentiles.

Lesson: God has brought His Glory to Earth and to all people who repent!

Prayer: Dear Lord - The circumstances in Acts 10 and 11 point to Your infinite love and grace and Your desire to have all come to You in repentance to be saved and granted eternal life. How can we ever thank You enough? Amen.

Acts 11:19-30 - The Church in Antioch

Synopsis: Many are converted among both Jews and Greeks. Barnabas is sent out by the church in Jerusalem and finds Saul and brings him to Antioch. A great famine is predicted by Agabus.

Lesson: Are you a usable Christian? Are you marked by His Name?

Prayer: Dear Lord - Please guide me to be unstained by our culture, stretched to my limits, adhering to the Savior, bold in my witness, liberal in giving, and equipped in Scriptures. I thank You every moment for answered prayers and Your providence and protection. Amen.

Acts 11 summary: Peter explains his actions in baptizing a household of Gentiles to the Church in Jerusalem. The Church in Antioch grows and Barnabas finds Saul. A great famine is prophesied.

Acts 12:1-5 - Herod Enters the Scene

Synopsis: Herod Agrippa I has James, the brother of John killed by a sword and the positive reaction prompts him to put Peter in prison. The church prays for Peter.

Lesson: Suffering may happen to believers in this life, but we should prepare for the next life! Also, pray earnestly and constantly and pray for the freedom to pray!

Prayer: Dear Lord - Today I pray this great poem, found in Precept Austin and by an unknown poet:

A call to prayer! I cannot sleep!
A midnight vigil I must keep!
For God doth call; I hear Him speak:
“To prayer! To prayer! (I but repeat)
To prayer! To prayer! Prevailing prayer!”
The need of such is everywhere;
It covers earth—it fills the air—
This urgent need of urgent prayer!

To bended knee! To bended knee!
God’s call to you—God’s call to me;
Because what is, and what’s to be
Shall reach throughout eternity.
Like Christ our Lord—like unto Him
In whom was found no guile—no sin,
Who “prayed all night.” And we His kin
Should pray—yes pray, like unto Him.

O friends, I say—again I say,
This truth has gripped my heart this day:
The Need of Prayer! Let come what may,
We will prevail! Oh, “Watch and pray”!
Awake! Awake! Ye saints awake!
Stand in the breach for Jesus’ sake—
Our God the powers of hell shall break!
—Author Unknown

Acts 12:6-19 [incorrectly labeled as Acts 12:16-19] - Peter is Rescued by an Angel

Synopsis: Peter is bound between two soldiers in a heavily guarded prison cell and is rescued by an angel of the Lord. The disciples cannot believe it is him!

Lesson: Our prayers must be bold AND with expectation.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Today I pray the updated words of Amazing Grace, as recorded by Chris Tomlin - see this link.

Acts 12:20-25 - The Death of Herod, the Church Grows

Synopsis: Herod Agrippa I suffers a very painful and excruciating death after others think he like a god. The early church continues to grow.

Lesson: Glorify God in everything that you do - fighting against Him often ends in tragedy and agony.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Today I pray the words of the hymn “O Where are The Kings and Empires Now?” written by A. Cleveland Coxe in 1839 and suggested by Precept Austin for this passage in Acts (in the public domain):

1 O where are kings and empires now
Of old that went and came?
But, Lord, your Church is praying yet,
A thousand years the same.

2 We mark her goodly battlements
And her foundations strong;
We hear within the solemn voice
Of her unending song.

3 For not like kingdoms of the world
Your holy Church, O God,
Though earthquake shocks are threatening her,
And tempests are abroad,

4 Unshaken as eternal hills,
Immovable she stands,
A mountain that shall fill the earth,
A house not made by hands.

Amen.

Acts 12 Summary: Herod Agrippa I arrests Peter, but he is rescued by an angel. Herod suffers a painful death. The church continues to grow.

Acts 13:1-3 - Barnabas and Saul are Set Aside

Synopsis: The Holy Spirit calls on the brethren in Antioch to pray and to set aside Barnabas and Saul for their work.

Lesson: The tapestry of our life is a mess from our vantage point, but a perfect crown of life from God’s perspective! What are you “set aside” for?

Prayer: Dear Lord - Help me to know Your will for me and to fill my life with prayer, worship, praise, and obedience. Amen.

Acts 13:4-12 - The Missionaries go to Cyprus and Meet a Magician

Synopsis: Barnabas and Saul (also known as Paul) travel to Cyprus, encounter a false prophet and magician but are able to preach the word to the Roman Proconsul.

Lesson: Souls are at stake - can we be filled with the Holy Spirit like Paul so that the enemy is vanquished?

Prayer: Dear Lord - I am grateful beyond words that You have forgiven me for my doubts and apostasy. Please help me to be a source of Your light and Word to others and realize, every day, that souls are at stake. Amen.

Acts 13:13-25 - The Missionaries Travel to Pisidian Antioch

Synopsis/Lesson: The mission moves to Galatia and the people hear Paul begin a sermon.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I ask for insight and guidance as I continue to study this sermon by Paul and its implications for the early church. I thank you for Your forgiveness and grace and look forward rather than spending time wallowing in regret. Amen.

Acts 13:26-43 - Paul Preaches the Gospel

Synopsis: Paul preaches to the Jews in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch.

Lesson: BUT GOD!

Prayer: Dear Lord - When I feel frustrated or discouraged by the events in this life and this world, all I should remember is “But GOD”... You have the power over sin and over death! Amen

Acts 13:44-52 - Paul Turns to the Gentiles

Synopsis: Some of the Jews of Pisidian Antioch turn against Paul, so he pledges to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. He and Barnabas travel to Iconium in Galatia.

Lesson: We are to be the light of the world to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I thank You humbly for Your grace and love and persistence in bringing two apostates back to the fold. May we be filled with Your Holy Spirit and joy! Amen.

Acts 13 Summary: Paul and Barnabas are set aside and travel first to Cyprus to preach the Gospel, overcoming a false prophet and magician. Next, they arrive in Galatia at Pisidian Antioch, where many believe but others are driven by jealousy and envy. They travel to Iconium.

Acts 14:1-7 - Acceptance and Opposition

Synopsis/Lesson: Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium, having the same mixed results as in Pisidian Antioch. They flee to nearby towns.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank You for the persistence of apostles like Paul and Barnabas and for guiding them through these difficult days of the early church. Amen.

Acts 14:8-18 - A Miracle and Misguided Worship

Synopsis/Lesson: Paul heals a disabled man in Lystra, but the reaction of the people is not what he intended.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I thank You for the incredible fortitude and integrity of the men in the early church like Paul and Barnabas. I would ask that You guide church leaders and pastors to emphasize Your precepts and commands and be humble in their leadership. Amen.

Acts 14:19-28 - The Stoning of Paul, Strengthening Believers, Return to Antioch

Synopsis: Paul is stoned by an angry crowd from Iconium and Pisidian Antioch. He rises from the ground unhurt and he and Barnabas travel to Derbe. They then reverse their course and strengthen believers and then take a ship back to Antioch.

Lesson: What will stop you from sharing the Good News and doing God’s will?

Prayer: Dear Lord - Your Amazing Grace is sufficient for me! I pray that I always put You first, in the middle and last in my life and that I am empowered by You to boldly speak and defend Your word. Amen.

Acts 14 Summary: Paul and Barnabas travel through more towns in Galatia, finding many believers but also many who are enraged by the Gospel. Paul heals a man in Lystra resulting in many who think they are gods. Paul is stoned, but unhurt and they travel back through the towns and strengthen believers before returning to Antioch.

Acts 15:1-5 - The Council in Jerusalem

Synopsis: Many Jewish believers in Jerusalem want the Gentiles to follow Mosaic Law and be circumcised.

Lesson: A crisis in the early church requires resolution.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank You for justifying me by faith in You alone! If we love You with all of our being and love others, then we are upholding what You require of us. Amen.

Acts 15:6-12 - Peter Addresses the Council

Synopsis: Peter tells the Council that believers are saved by faith alone and not by the burdensome yoke of law.

Lesson: Sola Fide! Faith alone in Christ alone!

Prayer: Dear Lord - Your infinite Grace is beyond my understanding. I humbly submit to repentance and belief in Your salvation. Guide me into sanctification and to my ultimate glorification! Amen.

Acts 15:13-21 - James Brings His Judgment to the Council

Synopsis: James, the half-brother of Jesus and the head of the Council, refers to prophecy in Amos and comes up with a short list of behaviors (not laws) that Gentiles should follow to live in harmony with Jewish believers.

Lesson: I discover lots of big words, struggle through conflicting scholarly viewpoints, and share what James had to say to the Council.

Prayer: Dear Lord - We humans have created lots of big words and different perspectives on Your Word and Your promises. I humbly pray that I simply believe and trust! Amen.

Acts 15:22-35 - A Letter from the Council, Silas and Judas are Chosen, Return to Antioch

Synopsis: A letter is sent from the Council to various churches with the four behaviors that will ensure harmony between Gentile and Jewish believers. Silas and Judas (Barsabbas) go with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. The letter is well-received and Paul and Barnabas stay in Antioch.

Lesson: Are you being led by the Spirit?

Prayer: Dear Lord - Today I pray for strength and courage to risk it all for You. This is noted by Pastor Jack Andrews, from his expository studies as quoted in Precept Austin:

Are we risking our lives for the name of Jesus Christ? Are we willing to lay our lives down for the name that is above every name? It cost the 1st century church to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and to confess His name! May we have that same resolve to:
love His name,
serve His name,
honor His name,
preach in His name,
teach in His name,
live in His name,
give in His name,
and never be ashamed of His name!

AMEN!

Acts 15:36-41 - A Conflict Arises, Second Missionary Journey Begins

Synopsis: Paul and Barnabas have a disagreement about bringing John Mark with them. They split up and Paul departs on a second missionary journey with Silas while Barnabas and Mark go to Cyprus.

Lesson: Can the various tools in the Carpenter’s workshop work together or will the tools be divided? Are you a Christian porcupine [unable to get close to other believers]?

Prayer: Dear Lord - Please help me to work together with others of different skills and gifts to build Your house of worship. I have had a reputation in the past of being disagreeable and wanting my own way. It should always be YOUR way. Amen.

Acts 15 Summary: The Council of believers in Jerusalem address the controversy over the acceptance of Gentiles without having the burden of the Mosaic law. Peter and James both address the council and a letter is prepared with behaviors for Gentiles to follow for harmony in the congregations. Silas and Judas go with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. Barnabas and Paul have a disagreement about John Mark before the next missionary journeys begin.