The Book of Acts in 7 Movements

If you’ve never read the book of Acts, here’s the first thing you need to know: it is one of the most important books in the Bible.

Not just for historians. Not just for theologians. For you.

Acts is the story of what happened after Jesus rose from the dead — how a small group of frightened followers became a movement that changed the world. And if you’re a Christian, this is your origin story.

At Cornerstone, we’ve been studying Acts together on and off since Easter of 2024. We covered the first third in 2024, the middle third in 2025, and now we’re finishing the final stretch. And if you’re interested in jumping in with us, or you just need a recap, here is a super brief summary of Part 1 and Part 2.

The Key Verse

Before you can understand Acts, you need one verse. Jesus says it to his disciples right before he ascends into heaven:

“… and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” — Acts 1:8

That’s the whole book. Jerusalem first. Then the surrounding region. Then the world. Acts is the story of how that actually happened — one city, one journey, one life at a time.

The Story in 7 Movements

1. Commission + Ascension (Acts 1) Jesus spends 40 days on earth after his resurrection — proving he’s alive, preparing his followers, and then ascending into heaven. Before he goes, he gives the church its mission: take my message to the ends of the earth.

2. Pentecost + Explosion (Acts 2) The Holy Spirit falls on the disciples like fire. Peter preaches. Three thousand people become followers of Jesus in a single day. The church is born.

3. The Church in Jerusalem (Acts 2–5) The early church is marked by generosity, community, prayer, and bold preaching. Twice the disciples are hauled before the same authorities who crucified Jesus. Both times they refuse to be silent.

4. Persecution + Expansion (Acts 6–12) A young leader named Stephen is killed for his faith. The church scatters. But the gospel spreads. A zealous persecutor named Saul has a life-altering encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus and becomes the greatest missionary in history.

5. Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13–14) Paul and Barnabas travel nearly 1,500 miles over two years, planting churches and telling people about Jesus everywhere they go. Paul is stoned and left for dead in one city. But he gets up and keeps preaching.

6. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) This is one of the most important chapters in the entire New Testament. Church leaders gather to answer a critical question: what does someone need to do to be saved? Their answer: faith in Jesus alone. Not just for Gentiles. For everyone.

7. Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15–18) Paul heads out again, this time with Silas, Timothy, and Luke. The gospel crosses into Europe for the first time. Paul spends 18 months in Corinth. The message of Jesus is reaching the ends of the earth, exactly as promised.

JOIN US

That’s 18 chapters. And we’re just getting to the good part.

As we begin Acts Part 3, Paul is heading back out on his third missionary journey — strengthening churches, finishing his course, and pressing toward Rome. The mission Jesus gave in Acts 1:8 is almost complete.

If you want to read along, start in Acts 19. And if you’ve never read Acts from the beginning, there’s no better time to start.

The story that began 2,000 years ago is still unfolding. And you’re part of it.