The Person of the Holy Spirit is the primary actor in the book of Acts. This book is often referred to as The Acts of the Apostles because the apostles are the prominent voices in the book, principally Peter in the first half and Paul (formerly Saul) in the second half. However, the central Person is really the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit acts as the messenger of truth regarding Jesus Christ. Such role for the Spirit was foretold in the Gospel of John, which the highlight verses of many references there of the Spirit are noted here.
In the book of Acts, the many references to the Spirit are noted below:
Acts
Chapter 1
1
the Holy Spirit
5
the Holy Spirit
9
the Holy Spirit
16
the Holy Spirit
Chapter 2
4
the Holy Spirit; the Spirit
17, 18
my [ref. to God] Spirit (2)
33
the Holy Spirit
38
the Holy Spirit
Chapter 4
8
the Holy Spirit
25
the Holy Spirit
31
the Holy Spirit
Chapter 5
3
the Holy Spirit
9
the Spirit
32
the Holy Spirit
Chapter 6
3
the Spirit
5
the Holy Spirit
10
the Spirit
Chapter 7
51
the Holy Spirit
55
the Holy spirit
Chapter 8
15, 17
the Holy Spirit (3)
18
the Spirit
19
the Holy Spirit
29
the Spirit
39
the Spirit
Chapter 9
17
the Holy Spirit
31
the Holy Spirit
Chapter 10
19
the Spirit
38
the Holy Spirit
44, 45, 47
the Holy Spirit (3)
Chapter 11
12, 15, 16
the Holy Spirit (3)
24
the Holy Spirit
28
the Spirit
Chapter 13:
This chapter records the first missionary journey. It was initiated by the Holy Spirit (vs. 2, 4, and 9), who moved the believers first called Christians, located at one of the major cities of the Roman Empire (Antioch) to send Paul and Barnabas as messengers of the gospel. The text is clear that these men left their role as elders and teachers at the church at Antioch because the Holy Spirit made clear, in some way, to them and the rest of the elders that God had a calling for them to fulfill. This calling led to both the joy of bringing some to faith in Christ, and discipling them on their first steps of their journey in faith. But the calling also brought significant difficulty, persecution, and even beatings and imprisonment. But the chapter concludes with Paul and Barnabas being filled with joy and, not incidentally, the Holy Spirit (vs. 52).
2
the Holy Spirit
4
the Holy Spirit
9
the Holy Spirit
52
the Holy Spirit
Chapter 15
This chapter contains the first church counsel. Many (all?) of the apostles were gathered in Jerusalem together with Paul and Barnabas to consider the question of the role of certain of the practices of Mosaic Law, including circumcision, with regard to Gentiles who were coming to faith through the energizing ministry of the Holy Spirit. In the same way as such Gentile attaining faith was a deep, difficult spiritual journey, in like manner the understanding that the Law of the Old Testament was not now an obligation upon the Gentiles was a difficult journey for all Jews familiar with the Law. In this chapter we see the Person of the Holy Spirit communicating the truth of that message and guiding there believers further on journey in the faith.
8
the Holy Spirit
28
the Holy Spirit
Chapter 16
6
the Holy Spirit
7
the Spirit of Jesus
Chapter 19
2
the Holy Spirit; Holy Spirit
6
the Holy Spirit
Chapter 20
23
the Holy Spirit
28
the Holy Spirit
Chapter 21
4
the Spirit
11
the Holy Spirit
Chapter 28
25
the Holy Spirit