A Study of Acts: Summary of Acts 1-Acts 5

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

Mar 03, 2025

Welcome to this summary of my Acts 1 - 5 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 1:1-2, for example) or the title (“The Proof and the Promise”. I pray that this and the remaining summaries serve you well in your study of God’s Word!

Acts 1:1-2 Luke’s Introduction (First Account)

Synopsis: Luke addresses his friend Theophilus again at the beginning of Acts (similar to the beginning of the Gospel of Luke).

Lesson: Dear Friends of God - Study these accurate accounts written by Luke of the story of Jesus and what He has done and is still doing.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I pray that I can be inspired by the Holy Spirit as I start this journey through the “end of the beginning” of the works of Jesus. Amen.

Acts 1:3-5 The Proof and the Promise

Synopsis: Jesus appears to many after His Resurrection.

Lesson: We have the proof of His resurrection and we have the promise from the Son of God.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I thank You for the many ways that You appeared to Your disciples to convince them of the truth of Your Resurrection. I pray for the patience to wait on the Holy Spirit and not rush into things without Your guidance. Amen.

Acts 1:6-8 A Final Question to Jesus from the Disciples and their Commissioning

Synopsis: Jesus is nearing the time of Ascension and the Disciples ask when His kingdom is coming. He tells them to remain in Jerusalem and the Holy Spirit will come upon them.

Lesson: The Kingdom to come is in God’s hands and we are tasked to be His evangelists.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to fill my life and embolden me to be a witness for You in the world. Amen.

Acts 1:9-11 The Ascension

Synopsis: Jesus ascends to Heaven. Two men in white tell the disciples that He will come back the same way and ask them why they are staring at the sky.

Lesson: We must listen to the two men of God at the Ascension who compel the disciples to quit speculating about the eternal Kingdom and get to work bringing others to Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I have received the most powerful message from You today doing this devotional. I ask that I live my life for You every day and serve You here and now. Your ways are not our ways and Your thoughts are not our thoughts. You have given us enough to know with certainty that we can join with You through Your Son Jesus. Amen.

Acts 1:12-14 [incorrectly labeled Acts 1:9-11 on the devotional] Returning to Jerusalem.

Synopsis: The Disciples return to Jerusalem and go into the Upper Room

Lesson: Obedience, fellowship and prayer bring the disciples and other followers together after the Ascension.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Please guide me daily into obedience, fellowship and earnest prayer. Amen!

Acts 1:15-20 - Peter Addresses the Disciples

Synopsis/Lesson: Peter assumes a leadership role and references Scripture being fulfilled in the actions of Judas and the need to replace him within the group of disciples.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I am grateful that scripture is placed in the hands of men by the Holy Spirit. I thank You for the prophecies that were fulfilled in the ministry, death and resurrection of Your Son Jesus. Amen.

Acts 1:21-23 - Two Names Under Consideration to Replace Judas

Synopsis: The two men under consideration to replace Judas are Matthias and Barsabbas

Lesson: We must be witnesses to the Resurrection through obedience, the Word, fellowship and prayer. We shall have sanctified common sense!

Prayer: Dear Lord - I thank You for the common sense that the disciples used to fulfill the need for having twelve leaders (apostles) who will act as witnesses to the Resurrection for Your early church. Amen.

Acts 1:24-26 - Matthias is Selected

Synopsis: The Disciples draw lots to select the replacement for Judas.

Lesson: Are you a second Judas? It is worth examining your beliefs to see if you are a fair-weather friend of Jesus!

Prayer: Dear Lord - I humbly beseech You to look on this miserable sinner with Your Grace and cleanse my hearts and thoughts! Amen!

Acts 1 summary: The risen Jesus ascends to Heaven and the church begins to form under Peter’s leadership. Judas is replaced among the twelve.

Acts 2:1-4 - The Holy Spirit Comes

Synopsis/Lesson: The manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the disciples is completed on the day of the Festival of Weeks (Pentecost). He is with us now!

Prayer: Dear Lord - I pray for the continued power and fulfillment of the Holy Spirit in my life. He has been with me since I came to believe in Jesus, but I am still a work in progress. I am thankful for the many gifts that You give us with Your presence! Amen.

Acts 2:5-13 - Many Languages!

Synopsis: The disciples speak in other tongues.

Lesson: God gives us many gifts through the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank you for the gifts that you have given your believers through the power of the Holy Spirit. Although we may not speak in tongues or perform other miraculous acts, we know that the power is there to serve us in our weaknesses. Amen.

Acts 2:14-18 - Peter Begins Preaching

Synopsis/Lesson: Peter recites scripture from the Prophet Joel about visions, dreams and prophesies.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I still think about those dreams I had many years ago and I know that You were telling me about Your love for believers and wanting us to have joy. I thank You for the power of Peter’s sermon and the link to OT scripture. Amen.

Acts 2:19-21 - Signs and Wonders

Synopsis: Peter preaches on the signs and wonders that we can expect

Lesson: Call on the Name of the Lord now to ensure your salvation.

Prayer: Dear Lord - We are saved by calling on Your Name. You will deliver us from evils and bring us to You in Your Glory! Amen.

Acts 2:22-24 - Peter Sermonizes about Jesus

Synopsis/Lessons: The crowd hears of their complicity in the death of Jesus and of His Resurrection - the church is born on this day!

Prayer: Dear Lord - Today I pray the beautiful words of the hymn “Because He Lives” by Bill Gaither (see link).

Acts 2:25-28 - Peter Refers to Psalm 16

Synopsis/Lesson: Peter looks to a Psalm of David for a scriptural proof of the Resurrection.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I wish to pursue true happiness, which is only found in Your invitation to eternal life and eternal joy. Thank you for the insight that Peter had into scripture on that crucial day of Pentecost. Amen.

Acts 2:26-33 - Peter Explains Psalm 16

Synopsis/Lesson: Peter invokes the Davidic covenant and eyewitness testimony to confirm that Jesus is the Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank you for the insights today into the fulfillment of the covenant with David and for the beautiful preaching of the Apostle Peter. Amen.

Acts 2:34-36 - Peter Cites Psalm 110

Synopsis/Lesson: The proof is made of the Christ and Peter looks to us as those who crucified Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank you for the remarkable insights into the sermon that Peter gave on that Pentecostal day when the Holy Spirit came to the apostles. My atonement is through the blood shed by Jesus on the Cross and the truths revealed through scripture and the eyewitnesses to His victory! Amen.

Acts 2:37-42 - Many are Saved on the First Pentecost

Synopsis: 3,000 are added to the number of believers

Lesson: Believe, repent, be saved! Confirm your faith through baptism.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I am in humble gratitude for the insights You gave me on this passage of Scripture. Please help me to turn away from sin and delight in the path that You provide. Please help me to be a light to others in this perverse generation. Amen.

Acts 2:43-47 - The New Church Blossoms

Synopsis: The early believers had everything in common and shared their wealth.

Lesson: Awe and fear of God leads to fellowship, hope and generosity.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I am in awe of Your love, power and might to change hearts and create believers who serve You and other believers eagerly and generously. Please create a generous and giving heart in me and lead me to great fellowship in the remaining time (through Your Grace) here on Earth. Amen.

Acts 2 Summary: The Holy Spirit comes to believers, Peter reminds the crowds of the promises in the Old Testament, and the church grows by large numbers.

Acts 3:1-6 - Peter and John and the Paralytic

Synopsis: Peter and John heal a paralytic who begged at the entrance to the temple. Lesson: Look for the single opportunity for redemption and share the power of the Lord!

Prayer: Dear Lord: Today I pray to you the words of a worship song “Come My Lord” by Matt Foreman (as found on Precept Austin) (add link to song)

Acts 3:7-10- The Healed Man Leaps for Joy

Synopsis: The healed paralytic walked, jumped and praised God.

Lesson: Healing miracles are wondrous, but the changes they create need the Lord’s guidance!

Prayer: Dear Lord - I thank You for the power that You gave the Apostles for healing and demonstrating Your will. I pray that the signs and wonders that I have witnessed are truly in harmony with the Word of God and Your sovereignty. Amen.

Acts 3:11-16 - Another Sermon by Peter

Synopsis/Lesson: Peter boldly addresses the crowd, telling them that they killed the Prince of Life, who restored health to the man who was healed.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Today I pray these Names for You, my Lord and Savior, the Prince of Life:

Jesus, Name above all names,
Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord.
Emmanuel, God is with us,
Blessed Redeemer, Living Word.

Acts 3:17-26 - Peter asks the Brethren to Repent

Synopsis: The crowd seeing the healed man is asked to repent and believe by Peter.

Lesson: Ignorance is no excuse for sin and can lead to injustice; repent and return to God.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Please guide me to repentance and return to You; I look for a refreshing of my soul and an exposure of my ignorance. Amen.

Acts 3 Summary - A major miracle of healing is used by Peter and John to lead people to Jesus.

Acts 4:1-4 - Peter and John are Arrested

Synopsis: Peter and John are arrested by the temple guard and the Sadducees.

Lesson: Are you afraid to witness for the Lord?

Prayer: Dear Lord - Fill me with the courage to witness to others about what Jesus did for us. Help me to know when the moment is right and bring me the words I need to bring this hope to others. Amen.

Acts 4:5-12 - Peter Answers an Interrogation with a Call to Salvation

Synopsis: Peter addresses the Sanhedrin and gives his testimony.

Lesson: There is only one Name under Heaven through which we are saved.

Prayer: Dear Lord - May I have the courage of the apostles when reaching out to others about salvation through Your Name only. Amen.

Acts 4:13-22 - Peter and John are Threatened but Released

Synopsis: Peter and John are released by the Sanhedrin

Lesson: Seek the boldness that comes from God and not the opinion of men.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Please help me to imitate You in boldness, loveliness, humility and holiness when I am in public or in Church or in my house or in secret. Please help me to do this for my sake, for religion’s sake and for Your sake. Each day, I will study Your character, correct my poor imitation, and seek more of Your Spirit. Amen.

Acts 4:23-31 - Peter and John Return to Their Companions

Synopsis: Peter and John return to the other disciples.

Lesson: God will fill us with the Holy Spirit, shake walls and sell cattle in answer to prayer!

Prayer: Dear Lord - I pray Acts 4:29-30 - And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus. Amen.

Acts 4:32-36 - The Early Church - Grace, Common Property, Serving Need

Synopsis: The early church members serve each other and sell property and use things in common.

Lessons: Acting in one heart and one soul together to preach the Resurrection.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Today I pray Galatians 6:9-10: “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

Acts 4 Summary - Peter and John are arrested and threatened, but then released. The early church thrives on grace and serving each other’s needs.

Acts 5:1-11 - Ananias and Sapphira

Synopsis: Two believers, Ananias and Sapphira, try to deceive God and the disciples with their gift. The two suddenly die after being confronted by Peter.

Lesson: God hates sin and hypocrisy; you can’t hide from Him or test Him. Discipline is for believers!

Prayer Dear Lord - The story of Ananias and Sapphira and their hypocrisy creates fear and wonder in my heart. Please help me to know when I am making a vow that I cannot keep, through prayer or from reciting lyrics to worship music. Please help me to be fearful, yet confident, in my salvation and to avoid testing the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Acts 5:12-16 - Signs and Wonders

Synopsis: Many signs and wonders and healings take place. Even Peter’s shadow can heal.

Lesson: God blesses a pure church with incredible spiritual power. The forces of darkness flee!

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank You for the miracles that were performed by the apostles. Those signs and wonders prove that the purity of Your church leads to great power among those who believe. Amen.

Acts 5:17-32 - The Persecution Intensifies

Synopsis: Peter and John are imprisoned and released by an Angel of God; they are brought before the Sanhedrin again.

Lesson: We must obey God rather than men.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Please give me the strength and courage, through the Holy Spirit, to always obey You and not other people. Amen.

Acts 5:33-42 - A Voice of Caution

Synopsis: Gamaliel cautions the Sanhedrin about acting too rashly against the Christians.

[summary lesson was not added to original] Lesson: If Christianity means nothing then it will disappear. If it means everything, then it can’t be stopped.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I pray that I never am in a posture of “wait and see” about Your word and Your plan for believers. I also pray that I would have the courage of the apostles to rejoice in suffering when learning and writing about Your word. Amen.

Acts 5 Summary: God hates hypocrisy, signs and wonders abound from the early disciples, Peter and John are imprisoned again and released and a caution is heard.

My next devotional summarizes Acts 6-Acts 10.