The speeches in Acts are the meat on the bones of the historical narrative. They serve to explain the message that the Disciples were proclaiming immediately after Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension. To understand the speeches is to understand the Acts of the Apostles. The speeches considered include – Peter’s speeches to Jews and Peter’s speeches to Gentiles; Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin; Paul’s speeches to Jews, his speeches to God-fearing Gentiles, and his speeches to Pagans; James’ speeches to the Apostles and Elders.