Acts Series

October 30, 2021

On to Acts and the History of 1st Century Christianity.

Acts was written around 62/63 AD and Luke is believed to be the author. Once again, the information was directed to one person – Theophilus.

The book covers the first 30 years of Christianity and is a bridge between the story of Jesus and the church of the New Testament.

Which brings us to My Favorite Thing – The powerful working of the Holy Spirit on behalf of the fledgling church {named 40 times in the book}.

Jesus had promised the disciples the Holy Spirit:

• Luke 24:49 - I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.

• John 14:26 - ... But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

• Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

After He returned to heaven, Jesus’ disciples returned to Jerusalem to await the promised “Counselor”. While they waited, the group, which included Jesus’ mother and brothers – 120 people in all – devoted themselves to prayer.

10 days later, on the Day of Pentecost, they were all together when suddenly, they heard a noise like a violent wind as tongues of fire came to rest on each person in the room – they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and the whole group began to speak in different languages.

Because of Pentecost, there were many Jews from the Diaspora in Jerusalem. They had also heard the sound of the wind and were amazed when the Apostles spoke to them of the mighty works of God in their own languages - “How is this possible? They are from Galilee”

As a result of Holy Spirit Power working through Peter, 3000 people were baptized that day.

Let’s consider Peter for a moment.

Just 6 weeks earlier, Peter, who had boldly sworn that he WOULD NOT abandon Jesus, HAD denied Him and run out into the night. Now, here we are. Not only was the Holy Spirit working in Peter, He was working through Peter and many lives were being changed.

Peter will dominate the first 12 chapters of Acts.

In the Temple a lame man asked Peter and John for a donation. Peter responded, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth – get up!”

Immediately the man’s feet and ankles became strong and he began to leap and walk around – a crowd began to gather. Peter addressed them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see….. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…. {Acts 3:12-19}

Peter and John were arrested.

• Acts 4:4 - But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

The next day the religious leaders began to question them, “By what power, or in Whose name have you done this?”

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirt responded: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." {Acts 4:8-12}