Acts

The book of Acts picks up right after Jesus’ death and resurrection. The first chapter shares that the author (Luke of the Gospel of Luke) is continuing his account to someone named Theophilus. Theophilus mean’s “friend of God” or “loved by God” and may or may not refer to a specific person. (Learn more here about Theophilus.)

Luke notes that Jesus appeared regularly to the apostles after his resurrection for 40 days. He confirmed to them multiple ways that He really was risen from the dead. He also told them not to leave Jerusalem until the Father sent them the gift of the Holy Spirit as He had promised. He promised the they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 

The apostles were still thinking politically, though, and kept asking Jesus when He would free Israel from Roman control and restore the kingdom (with Jesus as its ruler). Jesus responded that only the Father has the authority to set those dates and times. Instead, Jesus points the apostles to what their purpose would be: to be His witnesses to the world.  

The apostles were with Jesus at the Mount of Olives. Jesus was then taken up into Heaven. After He was taken up, two angels appeared to the apostles who were continuing to look up the sky trying to still see Jesus. The angels asked them why they were still looking up in the sky for Jesus and that He had been taken to heaven. They told them Jesus would someday return in the same way that He had left. The apostles then returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.  

The apostles met regularly together and were united in prayer. When about 120 of them were together, Peter address the group and talked about the prophecy that had been fulfilled with Judas. He also noted that prophecy said that Judas should be replaced.  Peter said that it should be someone that had been with them for the whole time from Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan until His ascension into heaven.  So, the group nominated Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.  Then they prayed that God would show them which one would become an apostle along with the other eleven, replacing Judas.  Then they cast lots and Matthias was selected.  

Principles: God may not deliver you from the bad circumstances that you are enduring but instead bring you through as His witness. The politics of the situation is not something God will change or correct. God will use any situation He sees fit to accomplish His purpose.   Vote your conscience (doing so as best as you can according to the principles of the Bible).  However, it may not go your way.

The day of Pentecost is a holiday is a Jewish holy day celebrating the giving of the law to Moses on Mount Sinai. It is 50 days after Passover, which was being celebrated when Jesus was put to death. As a result, there were people in Jerusalem celebrating the holy days (holidays) that would not normally be.  

On Pentecost, all the believers were together. All of a sudden, there was a sound that filled the place they were in like a roaring wind. Then flames of fire, or what looked like that, appeared and settled on them. Then everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit and started to speak in other tongues.  

Many of the people that were in Jerusalem for Pentecost heard the loud noise (the roaring wind) and came running to the believers to see what was going on with them. They heard the believers speaking tongues that they recognized from their part of the world. Some people scoffed saying the believers were drunk. 

But then Peter stood up and called out to everyone. He told them that the believers were not drunk as some were saying as it was only about nine in the morning. Peter began sharing with those listening that what they were all seeing and hearing was prophesied in Joel. Peter then shared that Messiah had come, was crucified by them, and raised from the dead. He pointed to King David and how he prophesied about Jesus as well. 

Peter’s words convicted them and they asked what they should do. Peter told them that they needed to repent of their sins, turn to God, and be baptized in Jesus Christ to be forgiven of their sins.   About 3000 people were saved that day.  

After that, the believers devoted themselves to what the apostles were teaching, to fellowshipping with each other, sharing meals, and prayer.  There was a sense of awe about what was happening.  The apostles performed miracles regularly.  The believers congregated together regularly and shared resources to cover the needs of people.  They worshipped at the temple daily.  People were added to the faith daily by the Lord.      

Principles: Law is fulfilled in the Spirit. Community is foundational to faith. The Holy Spirit is given to us to be with us forever and constantly.  The Holy Spirit has transformational power for the individual (see Peter).

Just as noted in the previous chapter where the believers went to the temple to worship and pray, Peter and John were going to the Temple one afternoon to for a three o’clock prayer service. As they were going in, a man who was lame from birth was being carried in to beg for money as that was the only way to support himself. The lame man saw Peter and John and asked them for some money. 

Peter and John looked at him intently, even telling the man to look at them. The man, expecting to get some money, looked at Peter and John. Peter said, “I don’t have money for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk.” Peter took the man by the right hand and helped him to stand up.  As Peter did this, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.  The man jumped up and started to walk.  he began walking, leaping, and praising God for the healing. 

All the people around realized this was the man that they had seen begging at the Temple entrance for years.  They were amazed and rushed over. 

Peter then saw the opportunity and addressed the crowd.  He asked them why this was so surprising and why they were looking at Peter and John as if they had made this happen.  He then told them that it was through Jesus that they killed that the man was healed.  He also said that he knew it was through ignorance that they had Jesus crucified and that it was prophesied that Jesus would suffer.  Peter then reviewed how the prophets had talked about Jesus.      

Principles: God puts opportunities in front of us and bad things in the world to be used for His glory.  

This chapter picks up right after the lame man has been healed in the Temple. Peter is telling the crowd about Jesus. Then the Temple guard and Jewish leaders show up to end the disruption. They were upset that Peter was preaching Jesus whom they had just over a month ago put to death. The Jewish leaders, of course, refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. So, they arrested Peter and John and put them in jail overnight since it was evening by the time they took them. However, another large group of people heard Peter’s message and believed bringing the number of believers up to around 5,000, not counting women and children.

The next day, the Jewish leaders questioned Peter and John. Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and were able to witness before the Jewish leaders that the man that was healed, standing in their midst, was healed through the power of Jesus of Nazareth that they had crucified. Peter pulled out scripture that they recognized supporting Jesus as Messiah. 

The members of the council that were questioning Peter and John sent them out of the room to discuss. They clearly recognized that Peter and John were not educated but had special boldness because they had been with Jesus. They could not deny that the man was healed. So, the Jewish leaders called them back into the room and threatened them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus again. Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than Him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” The council threatened them further but then let them go because they couldn’t think how they could punish them without starting a riot. 

Peter and John returned to the believers and prayed for boldness to teach the message of Jesus. After they prayed, the place they were meeting shook and the Holy Spirit filled them. 

In the days that followed, the believers were united and shared their resources.  Some sold possessions to take care of the needs of the other believers.       

Principles:  People can tell when you’ve spent time with Jesus.  The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say in front of important people.  

The chapter starts out with a story that continues from the last chapter where people were selling their belongings and sharing with the other believers. In this case, a husband and wife sold a piece of property, brought part of the proceeds from the sale to the apostles, and told them it was the whole amount that they received. They lied to the apostles and ultimately to the Holy Spirit about the amount they gave (part or whole). Because they attempted to lie about it for personal glory, they died. This caused great fear amongst the believers and those that heard about it. 

The apostles continued to heal people to the point that people brought the sick and possessed to them and all were healed. The believers continued to meet in the temple and the apostles preached there. 

The Jewish leaders were angry and jealous at them doing that and arrested the apostles. They put them in jail over night. However, an angel came and released them from the jail in the night and told them to go back to preach in the temple. When the Jewish leaders went to take the apostles out of jail and deal with them, they found their jail cell locked with the guards still in place but without them in the jail cell. The Jewish leaders could not understand what had happened but then they heard that the apostles were back in the temple preaching. The captain of the temple guards went and re-arrested the apostles without making a scene to avoid the wrath of the people. The Jewish leaders questioned the apostles saying, “didn’t we tell you not to preach in Jesus’ name?” Peter and the apostles responded, “we must obey God rather than human authority.” Peter reminded them that Jesus was the Messiah that they had put to death and that God had raised from the dead and put at His right hand as Prince and Savior. 

The Jewish leaders were furious at what the apostles said and decided to have them killed as well. However, one of the Pharisees named Gamaliel had the apostles removed from the room and spoke to the rest of the Jewish leaders.  He reminded them that other movements had come and gone.  He noted that if the movement was of man, it would fade but if it was of God, then they would find themselves fighting God.  This calmed the Jewish leaders down.  They had the apostles flogged and ordered that the apostles not preach in Jesus’ name and let them go. 

The apostles rejoiced that God cou9nted them worthy to suffer in the name of Jesus.  Then they continued preaching Jesus in the temple and from house to house.  

Principles: Thou shalt not lie.  God might allow you to suffer for His name.  God’s authority is more important that human authority.  

The growth of the body of believers (disciples in the Greek) caused some discontent as some of the subgroups felt there was discrimination against them in the daily food distribution. The twelve apostles called a meeting to deal with the bigger issue of managing the food program for those that were living communally. They noted that they should not be managing that but instead spending time in prayer and teaching. As a result, they selected seven well-respected believers from the group to manage the food program. Once selected, these men took over the management of food distribution but they, too, were filled with faith and the Holy Spirit. 

One of those selected, Stephen, performed great miracles and was a wise speaker and debater. One day, he was challenged by Jews in the area who could not compete with the wisdom he shared.  Since the Jews could not beat him, they convinced others to lie about him, saying he had blasphemed Moses and God.  They arrested Stephen and brought him before the Jewish leaders (high council).  The witnesses kept telling their lies. 

However, as the witnesses were lying, everyone on the high council began staring at Stephen because his face had begun glowing brightly.      

Principles: You can’t do everything. Play to your strengths and gifts that God has given you. Just because you are gifted in administrative roles does not mean you’re not anointed.  You will be challenged and lied about in doing God’s work.

This chapter continues from the previous one with Stephen before the Jewish leaders who have asked him if the accusations are true.  Instead of answering, Stephen gives them a history lesson telling them of the coming of the Messiah despite the rebellion of the Israelites and their rejection of God’s messengers.  Stephen wraps up his history lesson pointing out that they have been rebellious and they too rejected the Messiah, who was Jesus, by putting Him to death.  

The Jewish leaders were infuriated by what Stephen said and the accusations he made against them. 

Stephen began intently looking towards heaven and saw the heavens open up with Jesus standing near God the Father’s right hand in a place of honor.  He told everyone what he was seeing.  

They rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and stoned him.  Stephen asked God not to hold them accountable for the sin of stoning him.  

Also, the man named Saul, was with the Jewish leaders and held everyone’s coats and garments while they were stoning Stephen.  (Saul will later change his name to Paul and becomes a major minister in Christianity.)

Principles:  We have all rejected God throughout our history.  God’s grace has carried us through despite our rejection and sin.  

This chapter continues from the last one where Stephen was killed and Saul had been watching. A persecution of the believers at large began with Saul spearheading a lot of the persecution. It caused many of the believers (aside from the apostles) to go to other cities instead of staying in Jerusalem. In the process of people dispersing, they shared the good news with people in the places that they went.  

Philip went to Samaria and preached and performed many miracles. Many were saved and baptized. Peter and John went to Samaria and they prayed that the Holy Spirit would be given to the new believers as they had only been saved but did not have the infilling of the Holy Spirit. One of the Samaritans (Simon) who had been a magician and a person of notoriety saw that Peter and John were praying for others to have the Holy Spirit, he offered to pay Peter and John for this power (so he would regain the influence that he had with his magic before Philip arrived).  Peter rebuked him for his jealousy and wickedness.  

Philip was then told by God to follow a specific road.  As he was doing so, the treasurer of Ethiopia was traveling in a carriage along the same road after visiting Jerusalem to worship.  He was reading Isaiah out loud.  The Holy Spirit directed him to walk alongside the treasurer.  Philip asked him if he understood the passage (Isaiah 53:7 – 8).  The treasurer asked how he could if there wasn’t someone to teach him.  He invited Philip up into the carriage to explain the passage.  The passage was about the coming Messiah and Philip told him the message of Jesus coming and His death and resurrection.  They came to some water and the Ethiopian asked to be baptized.  Philip baptized him and then disappeared, taken by God instantly in a town North of where they were (Azotus).  Philip continued to preach in the towns he went through.   

Principles: Even when bad things happen, God uses them to expand His kingdom. Sometimes when seemingly bad things happen, it is an opportunity for God’s power to be at work.  Philip got a real Star Trek transporter experience.

In this chapter, Saul’s vendetta against the believers has him seeking approval from the Jewish leaders to go to Damascus and imprison believers, dragging them back in chains to Jerusalem. He gets the approval and heads to Damascus.  

On the way to Damascus, though, Saul is confronted by Jesus as a bright light and voice from heaven. A Voice asks Saul why he is persecuting Him. Paul asks who He is. Jesus identifies Himself and tells him to go into the city where he would be told what to do next. However, when Saul gets up, he realized he was blind and had to be led to the city. He stayed there three days blinded without eating or drinking.  

While he was there waiting, the God spoke to another believer in Damascus named Ananias. He told Ananias to go and pray for Saul. Ananias noted his reservations about Saul since he knew that Saul was greatly persecuting Christians. God assured him that Saul was chosen to take God’s message to the Gentiles and kings. Ananias went and prayed for Saul and when he did, scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. Saul got up and was baptized and ate.  

After this, Saul stayed in Damascus with the believers for several days and began preaching in the synagogues saying that Jesus was the Son of God. People were surprised given what they had heard about Saul. As Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, some of the Jews plotted to kill him. This was found out and the believers smuggled Paul out of the city and sent him to Jerusalem.  

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, the believers there were afraid that it was a trick and didn’t want to meet with him. However, Barnabas brought Saul to the rest of the believers, telling them how he had preached so strongly to people in Damascus and how God had talked to Saul. So, they accepted Saul and he began preaching in Jerusalem until he received death threats there too. They then sent Saul to Tarsus, his hometown. 

Then there was peace in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria and the believers grew in numbers and strength.  

Peter traveled around preaching and healing people. In the town of Lydda, Peter met a man named Aeneas who was paralyzed. Peter told him that he was healed and to get up and walk. Aeneas did that and the whole population of Lydda and Sharon saw what happened and turned to the Lord.  

In Joppa, Peter was asked to come and pray for a believer named Tabitha that had died. Tabitha was known for her kindness to others and helping the poor. When Peter arrived where she was laid, he asked everyone to leave the room. Peter prayed for her and then told her to get up. She opened her eyes immediately and sat up. News of Tabitha being raised from the dead spread and Peter stayed a long time in Joppa living with Simon the tanner.  

Principles:  God is not bound to use the people or resources we expect Him to use.  

In this chapter, God makes it clear that He wants to have a relationship with Gentiles as well as Jews. 

A Roman Centurion name Cornelius was a devout follower of God. God sent an angel to tell Cornelius to send for Peter so that Peter could share the gospel message with Cornelius. Cornelius sends several trusted servants and a soldier who reports to him.  

Peter, who had been with Joppa at Simon the Tanner’s house, is shown a vision that tells him that he should not call unclean what God has made clean. Because of the vision he has, Peter is willing to go with the men Cornelius sent even though they are Gentiles.  

When Peter, the men Cornelius sent, and others that came with Peter arrived back at Cornelius’ home, Cornelius had assembled friends and family to hear what Peter had to share.  Peter shared that God had showed him that Peter shouldn’t think of anyone as impure or unclean. Then he shared the story of the Messiah come and that Jesus was the Savior.  As he was sharing, the Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius’ friends and family and they began speaking in tongues and praising God.  Peter called for everyone to be baptized.  

Principles: God works all sides of the equation to accomplish His purpose.  God is the judge of the state of someone’s heart.