A Study of Acts: Summary of Acts 6-Acts 10

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

Mar 05, 2025

Welcome to this summary of my Acts 6-10 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 6:1-6 for example) or the title (“The First Deacons”). I pray that this and the remaining summaries serve you well in your study of God’s Word!

Acts 6:1-6 - The First Deacons

Synopsis: Seven deacons are selected to ensure congregational care.

Lesson: Serving God in any capacity is spiritual!

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank you for the example of how the apostles learned to delegate responsibilities to their disciples to ensure that all were treated properly, especially when it comes to helping widows and others who cannot help themselves. All service to you is a privilege! Amen.

Acts 6:7-15 - A Plot Starts Against Stephen

Synopsis: Stephen is accused of blasphemy and is brought before the Council.

Lesson: Are you bending in the wind and following popular opinion? Or are you rooted in the Word of God?

Prayer: Dear Lord - Please help me stand strong against popular opinion and be firm in the Word of God! Amen.

Acts 6 Summary: Deacons are selected to ensure all congregation members are cared for; a plot begins against Stephen, one of the Deacons.

Acts 7:1-8 - Stephen Preaches About Abraham

Synopsis/Lesson: Stephen begins his testimony to the Sanhedrin, but not to save himself.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I thank You for the history of Your promises to the humans You created as recited by Stephen. Amen!

Acts 7:9-16 - Stephen Preaches About Joseph

Synopsis/Lesson: The story of Joseph and the story of Jesus have remarkable parallels; the importance of the temple is minimized by Stephen.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank you for the insight that Stephen has, even if it is subtle and requires study. The link of Jacob and his burial site in Shechem to the lowly Samaritans, where Jesus first revealed Himself as the Messiah, tells us that the worship of You in spirit and truth can happen here and now and in any location by any human. Amen!

Acts 7:17-29 - Stephen Talks about Moses

Synopsis/Lesson: Moses was rejected, just like Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord - When I obey then I know who is the ruler and judge over me. Help me to see the “big picture” of Jesus and His sovereignty. Amen.

Acts 7:30-43 - Stephen Continues his Sermon about Moses

Synopsis: Stephen discusses how quickly the people reject God and turn to a golden calf.

Lesson: On what type of ground are you carrying your tabernacle of the Holy Spirit?

Prayer: Dear Lord - I will pray the words of the 17th century hymn “Set Your Affections on Above” by J. Hart (in the Public Domain)

1 Come, raise your thankful voice,
Ye souls redeemed with blood;
Leave earth and all its toys,
And mix no more with mud.
Dearly we’re bought, highly esteemed;
Redeemed, with Jesus’ blood redeemed.

2 Christians are priests and kings,
All born of heavenly birth;
Then think on nobler things,
And grovel not on earth.
Dearly we’re bought, highly esteemed;
Redeemed, with Jesus’ blood redeemed.

3 With heart, and soul, and mind,
Exalt redeeming love;
Leave worldly cares behind,
And set your minds above.
Dearly we’re bought, highly esteemed;
Redeemed, with Jesus’ blood redeemed.

4 Lift up your ravished eyes,
And view the glory given;
All lower things despise,
Ye citizens of heaven.
Dearly we’re bought, highly esteemed;
Redeemed, with Jesus’ blood redeemed.

5 Be to this world as dead,
Alive to that to come;
Our life in Christ is hid,
Who soon shall call us home.
Dearly we’re bought, highly esteemed;
Redeemed, with Jesus’ blood redeemed.

Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #102

Acts 7:44-53 - Stephen Accuses his Accusers

Synopsis: Stephen accuses the Council of resisting the Holy Spirit.

Lesson: God cannot be contained but He is looking for the humble and contrite in spirit. He also comes to us! But do not sin against the Holy Spirit!

Prayer: Dear Lord - I humbly and contritely seek Your face. You, the Creator of this vast universe, came down from Heaven to seek us and redeem us! Oh, what glory! Amen.

Acts 7:54-60 - Stephen the Martyr

Synopsis: Stephen is taken outside and stoned to death while gazing upon Heaven, as Saul stands there and witnesses his martyrdom.

Lesson: Can you stand for Jesus as your last act? Can you forgive those who persecute you?

Prayer: Dear Lord - I pray that I am a believer of conviction and that I know that it is better to die for something (You) than live for nothing. Please help me learn the lessons from Stephen: Deep faith, biblical knowledge, love of Jesus, forgiveness of mortal enemies. Amen.

Acts 7 Summary: Stephen preaches the Word of God to the hostile Sanhedrin and is a martyr to the faith, being stoned to death while Saul looks on.

Acts 8:1-4 - Saul Persecutes the Early Church

Synopsis: Saul zealously pursues those who believe in Jesus.

Lesson: Acts of persecution can by used by God to bring more to the faith. We are not meant to be in one place together as believers, but to go forth and proclaim!

Prayer: Dear Lord - I pray these wise words of C.S. Lewis today:

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world. C. S. Lewis (1898–1963)

Acts 8:5-8 - Philip Goes to Samaria

Synopsis: Philip the Evangelist (one of the Deacons) proclaims Christ and heals many in Samaria.

Lesson: Live to make Christ known!

Prayer: Dear Lord - Help me to live to make Christ known to people I meet. Help me to live to glorify Christ in every way. Amen.

Acts 8:9-24 - Simon the Magician; Peter and John Travel to Samaria

Synopsis: A magician observes Philip’s evangelism; Peter and John come to see the results in Samaria. Peter challenges Simon.

Lesson: Are you looking at the signs and wonders or at the source of your salvation? Are you promoting yourself or are you humbled before God?

Prayer: Dear Lord - Help me to look beyond signs and wonders to Your redemptive powers. I pray that I am not in the gall of bitterness or the bondage of iniquity but am humble in obedience. Amen.

Acts 8:25-40 - Philip and the Ethiopian

Synopsis: Philip is led by an angel to an Ethiopian eunuch in the desert and preaches the Gospel. The Ethiopian is baptized and Philip is transported away.

Lesson: An Angel, A Desert Road, Prophecy Understood, Confession of Faith, Baptism, and Supernatural Transport - This passage is a microcosm of the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Today I pray the words of the hymn “So Little Time” by the late Pastor John R. Rice (found on Precept Austin and at this link):

So little time! The harvest will be over,
Our reaping done, we reapers taken home,
Report our work to Jesus, Lord of harvest,
And hope He’ll smile and that He’ll say, “Well done!”

Refrain:
Today we reap, or miss our golden harvest!
Today is given us lost souls to win.
Oh, then to save some dear ones from the burning,
Today we’ll go to bring some sinner in.

Acts 8 Summary: Saul persecutes Christians, while Philip (another Deacon) travels in Samaria preaching and healing. Peter and John join him in Samaria, then Philip is brought to an Ethiopian eunuch in the desert who is converted and baptized.

Acts 9:1-9 - The Road to Damascus

Synopsis: Saul, the persecutor of Christians, encounters the living Jesus on the road to Damascus and is blinded and overwhelmed.

Lesson: The best change in someone’s life is one that takes them from spiritual darkness into light.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Today I will pray the words of the hymn “The Long Arm of the Lord” by Wayne Watson as found at this link.

Acts 9:10-19a - Ananias has a Vision and Meets Saul

Synopsis: Ananias, a believer in Damascus, is asked by the Lord in a vision to go find Saul and aid him in his transformation and help restore his sight.

Lesson: Here I am, Lord! The Lord can reach anyone and use any believer for His divine purposes.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Help me to answer immediately if You command me to do Your will. You will sustain and strengthen me through any situation. Help me to be an instrument of Your will in bringing others to You. Amen.

Acts 9:19b-31 - Saul Preaches in Damascus and Elsewhere

Synopsis: Saul immediately begins preaching in the synagogues, he escapes from Damascus, meets Barnabas and speaks of the Lord in Jerusalem, then is sent to his home town of Tarsus. The church continues to grow.

Lesson: Saul shows us how spiritual maturity takes place. Also, our faith is a powerful dynamic, between fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Please help me continue in my journey of spiritual maturity and be blessed to live in fear of You and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Acts 9:32-43 - Peter Travels and Performs Miracles

Synopsis: The scene shifts to Peter again and he travels through various regions near Samaria healing others and raising Tabitha from the dead.

Lesson: Is your faith marked by ministry, humility, availability, dependency, productivity, and flexibility?

Prayer: Dear Lord - Help me to have a life of faith marked by ministry, humility, availability, dependency, productivity, and flexibility! Amen!

Acts 9 Summary: Saul sees a blinding vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus, is helped by a believer named Ananias and begins preaching to anyone who will hear and is sent to Tarsus. Peter travels again and performs miracles.

Acts 10:1-8 - Cornelius Has a Vision

Synopsis: A Roman Centurion named Cornelius has a vision to send for a man named Peter.

Lesson: God provides a way if we are looking for His light.

Prayer: Dear Lord - I am so grateful to know that I was seeking Your light and You provided ways to bring me into salvation! I love you, Lord! Amen.

Acts 10:9-16 [incorrectly listed as 9-18 in the devotional] - Peter Also Has a Vision

Synopsis: Peter has a vision (three times) of a sheet coming down from the sky with all sorts of creatures, many “non-kosher”. Peter doesn’t obey instantly.

Lesson: We don’t have to be perfect to obey God’s voice! We just need to obey!

Prayer: Dear Lord - May I always listen and obey Your voice and not come up with excuses or religious limitations. Amen.

Acts 10:17-23 - Peter Ponders His Vision and Has Visitors

Synopsis: Peter is thinking about the vision when the delegates sent by Cornelius arrive. He shows the Gentiles hospitality!

Lesson: Peter must honor the authority of God while questioning traditions. The Voice of God is heard through His Word!

Prayer: Dear Lord - Help me to hear Your voice in everything that I do. Help me to be hospitable and to honor authority but question traditions that have little meaning. Amen.

Acts 10:24-33 - Peter Travels to Caesarea

Synopsis: Peter leaves with his guests and travels to Caesarea to meet Cornelius and his family.

Lesson: Our hearts are changed, like Peter’s, when we obey God and step across the threshold to destroy our prejudices and preconceived notions about those made in His image.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Help me to be as faithful as Cornelius and as flexible as Peter when it comes to sharing the Good News with others. Amen.

Acts 10:34-48 [incorrectly listed as 34-46] - Gentiles Hear Good News!

Synopsis: Peter preaches the Gospel to Cornelius and his household. They are filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized and Peter stays for a few days.

Lesson: Salvation and eternal life is for everyone who believes and repents!

Prayer: Dear Lord - Today I pray the lyrics to “The Church’s One Foundation” by Samuel Stone as my thankful prayer for the gift of salvation; this is in the public domain:

The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the Word:
From heav’n He came and sought her
To be His holy Bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.

Elect from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

Acts 10 Summary: A Roman Centurion, Cornelius, has a vision about a man named Peter. At the same time, Peter has a vision from the Lord that is puzzling. Peter travels with a delegation from Cornelius to the centurion’s home in Caesarea and realizes that the Gospel is for all people. Cornelius and his household receive the Holy Spirit and are baptized.

My next devotional summarizes Acts 11-Acts 15.