Dreams and visions in the Acts of the Apostles
Here is a complete list of every dream, vision or angel appearance in the book of the Acts of the Apostles.
Chapter 5 verses 17-20
What does the angel do for the apostles?
What message does he give them?
Chapter 7 verses 54-60
Just before Stephen ‘falls asleep’ (dies and goes to wake up in the next life) he has a vision.
Is the truth of the vision only for Stephen?
Chapter 8 verses 26-31
What did the angel tell Philip to do?
What did Phillip end up doing as a result (verse 35)?
Chapter 9 verses 1-6 and 10-16
The Lord Jesus appears to Saul and tells him to get instructions. The Lord Jesus then appears to Ananias and sends him to Saul.
What will the message be for Saul (verses 15,16)?
Saul, who became Paul, tells about this vision in chapter 22:6-11 and 26:12-28.
Chapter 10 verses 1-6
What does the angel tell Cornelius to do?
Peter has a vision that he cannot understand (verses 9-17). Then he is given a message (verses 19-20). Peter obeys the message.
When he gets to Cornelius, what does he realise that the vision meant (verses 27-29)?
Chapter 12 verses 5-11
This is the only passage in this list which is NOT about telling the message.
Chapter 16 verses 9, 10
What do Paul and his friends think the vision means?
Chapter 18 verses 9-11
What does the Lord Jesus say to Paul in the vision?
Chapter 22 verses 17-21
The Lord Jesus warned Paul. Why did he want Paul to leave (v21)?
Chapter 23 verse 11
What does the Lord promise Paul?
Chapter 27 verses 21-26
Just before the ship is destroyed, Paul reassures everyone on board. He tells them what God’s angel had said. Paul will stand trial – which will mean Paul will be able to tell the message about Jesus.
Do you see the common theme in 12 out of 13 of these visions (the odd one out is Stephen’s vision in chapter 7)?
I hope that reading these episodes has made you curious to read the whole book. It is a good one!