A Coptic Orthodox Journey through the Bible

This chapter contains two parts and a summary: verses 1-23 relate a formal trial before the governor with both parties present (Jewish leaders and St. Paul). The second part briefly recounts St. Paul’s conversations with Felix and his wife, Drusilla. The summary is then the last couple of verses.

In the last chapter, we see St. Paul's first defense against the Jews. In this chapter, St. Paul defends himself a second time; but this time it is before the Sanhedrin. While the last few chapters of Acts covers approximately 4 years of St. Paul’s life, it feels like things are moving fast. However, this chapter is pretty straightforward. Paul meets the Jewish leaders, we learn of a plot to kill...

in this chapter, we see St. Paul's defense to the Jewish accusations against him. Paul addressed the crowds in their own language and told them his story. He told them of coming from Tarsus to study with Gamaliel. He told them of being radicalized and going from synagogue to synagogue seeking to oppress and end the Christian movement. He told them what happened on the road to Damascus and abou...

In the current chapter St. Paul journeys to Jerusalem which marks the end of his 3rd missionary trip. Before arriving in Jerusalem we see warnings about what will happen to him there and people trying to convince him to not go. We also see what happens to him after he arrives in Jerusalem.

In this chapter, St. Luke, the author of Acts, rejoins St. Paul. God glorified as a young man falls from the third story and was taken up dead, but God raised him up by St. Paul’s hand. Later in the chapter, St. Paul delivers a farewell address to the elders (priests/bishops) of the church, revealing the practical concept of shepherding.

The last chapter ended with the story of Apollos. He went to Ephesus to preach but only knew the baptism of John. We do not see Apollos backtrack after being instructed more in the faith by Priscila and Aquila. This may be why in this chapter, we will see Paul meeting people who believed in the baptism of John, most likely they are disciples of Apollos. Also, in this chapter we see the work of God...

We have been spending time with St. Paul during his second missionary journey, most of which has been in Greece. In this chapter St. Paul completes his second missionary journey and begins his third missionary trip. St. Paul set forth from Athens, the stronghold of philosophy, to Corinth, the center of commerce; as though going from a scientific academy that focuses on philosophy and other academi...

In this chapter, St. Luke tells about St. Paul traveling to Athens, his interactions with people in Athens and his preaching at the Areopagus to the philosophers. We will notice that St. Paul is now entering areas that have fewer Jews and more and more pagan Gentiles, not even God-fearers. One highlight of this chapter is seeing how St. Paul finds ways to connect with the pagan philosophers to sho...

The last chapter ended with the beginning of St. Paul's second missionary journey, accompanied by Silas. Additionally, Barnabas and Paul separated with Mark going with Barnabas. They went on two separate journeys. The present chapter tells about a part of St. Paul’s journey. The most important events in this chapter include St. Paul's choice of Timothy; St. Paul and St. Silas being put in prison i...

By chapter 15, the Gospel has spread among the Jews and Gentiles, so there are Christians from Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds. Some started to say that the non-Jewish Christians should follow all the commandments of the Scriptures, what we call the Old Testament today. Commandments that the Jews followed at that time. The decision was made to send Barnabas and Paul from Antioch where the contro...

In Chapter 13 we saw during a liturgy that the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2). Hands were laid upon them and they were sent away. This was the beginning of what we now call St. Paul’s First Missionary Journey. St. Mark accompanied them for a portion of the journey but left for reasons unknown to us early into the journ...

In the last couple of chapters we saw followers of Christ spread to the Gentiles which caused some contention in the Church in Jerusalem when St. Peter returned after spending time with Cornelius and his family. The ministry in Antioch began to flourish at the hands of St. Barnabas and St. Paul. In the last chapter we again see attacks from outside the Church, when Herod the king stretched out his...

In the last couple of chapters we saw followers of Christ spread to the Gentiles which caused some contention in the Church in Jerusalem which we saw when St. Peter returned after spending time with Cornelius and his family. The ministry in Antioch also began to flourish by the hands of St. Barnabas and St. Paul; and Antioch became a support to Jerusalem for its material needs. In this chapter we...

The last chapter ends with the conclusion of St. Peter’s encounter with Cornelius. What happened in the last chapter opens the gate for the Gentiles to enjoy faith, and to gain the divine blessings, on the same level with their Jewish brethren who became Christians. At the beginning of this chapter we see the position of the leaders and the people in Jerusalem, concerning the acceptance of that gr...

In the previous chapters, we see the preaching in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. At the same time, the Spirit of the Lord was preparing the atmosphere for the opening of the door of faith to the Gentiles. After the ministry was confined to the Jews, St. Peter, considered the apostle to the Jews, was getting the clear divine command that confirms the opening of the door to the Gentiles. Before this...

We first meet Saul (St. Paul) briefly at the end of chapter 7 when he held the jackets for the people stoning St. Stephen. He approved of the stoning and afterwards went to the chief priests and asked for authority to hunt down members of the Way, arrest them, bring them back to Jerusalem, and put them in prison. We learn more about Saul here and then pick up his story again near the end of chapte...

In Chapter 1, Christ's last words to His apostles before the Ascension were “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Chapter 1 & 2 showed the ministry in Jerusalem. Chapters 3-7 showed it in Judea. Beginning in chapter 8, we see the ministry in S...

In chapter 6 we saw the apostles name seven deacons including St. Stephen. St. Stephen is accused of blasphemy. He is then brought before the council of Jewish leaders who were the same people who spoke with Sts. Peter & John in chapter 4 and all the apostles in chapter 5 when they beat the apostles for teaching about Christ. In verses 13 before the council his crime is stated as “This man doe...

The first five chapters presented a living portrait of the Church of the New Testament in her early days; how the Holy Spirit of God led her in Jerusalem amid the tribulations and persecutions, to grow and spread. Now, as the number of the disciples were multiplied, certain internal issues surfaced. These issues were beyond the apostles to address alone; so there was a need to ordain the first gro...

At the beginning of this chapter, we see what happens when someone seeks their own glory and tries to deceive God. We will see and discuss the swift response, by which the Holy Spirit intended to give a clear message to anyone who may try to abuse the fraternal love. St. John Chrysostom believes that what happened to Ananias and Sapphira is of greater significance than the miracle of healing the l...

As St. Peter and St. John are taken into custody, we see the beginning of the persecution of the Church. We see how the apostles respond to this persecution and the continued growth of the Church in Jerusalem.

In chapter 3 we see the work in Jerusalem continue and the importance of the name of Jesus Christ. Sts. Peter & John go to the Temple and meet a man who was born lame. He is healed through the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ and they preach about Jesus. St. Peter excuses the people who crucified Christ, reproved them, and asked them to repent and accept Jesus as the Christ. He proves Jesus is C...

An important chapter, where we see the descent of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church. Additionally, the apostles begin preaching, including St. Peter's sermon.

Acts is attributed to St. Luke and most believe he intended to write a 2-volume work with the Gospel focusing on Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and Acts focusing on the Apostles spreading the Faith following the Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord.