Acts – Be Still…

Acts 2:29-47 – Community of Believers

Peter’s sermon continues here as he tries to help the people listening catch up and understand the great opportunity they had been given. They were living in the days shortly following Jesus’ resurrection, an event that changed history forever. Can you imagine being one of the ones who witnessed Jesus’ return from the grave? Reading about it is great, but having witnessed it happening in real time would have been crazy!

Peter’s words “pierced their hearts” into action. The people were hungry and asked what they could do. How many times have you been so moved by a sermon? Peter’s response to those seeking more of Jesus was to repent and be baptized. If they choose to do that, they will receive the Holy Spirit. Continue reading “Acts 2:29-47 – Community of Believers”

Acts 2:1-28 – Come Holy Spirit

Read Acts 2:1-28

The day finally arrived for the disciples. The Holy Spirit came in a mighty way. I would not have expected anything less. The baptism of the Holy Spirit Jesus had promised was fulfilled on Pentecost that year, approximately 50 days after Jesus rose from the dead and 10 days after Jesus ascended to the Father.

From the way Luke describes it, there could be no question that something unusual was happening. Can you imagine hearing this message in your own language from someone foreign to you? “And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” All of these people from different backgrounds shared a faith and marveled at the same God. Continue reading “Acts 2:1-28 – Come Holy Spirit”

Acts 1:1-26 – In Those Early Days

Read Acts 1:1-26

To get our heads right to walk through the Book of Acts, we need to put ourselves back into the story. Luke picks up right where his gospel leaves off. We’re in those early days following Jesus’ resurrection when everything was just a little unclear. Jesus had been teaching one day and then killed the next. Just like he said, Jesus was brought back to life and spent more time with his friends.

The Book of Acts will take us on a journey through the early days of the Christian church as Jesus’ followers spread the news just as He told them to do. The whole mission relied on one thing for success—the coming of the Holy Spirit. Continue reading “Acts 1:1-26 – In Those Early Days”

Acts 15:1-35 – Gentiles Welcome!

Read Acts 15:1-35

Have you ever been on the ground floor of something new in your community? Our reading today is about one of those early meetings of church leaders to discuss issues facing new believers. Church leadership wanted to be on the same page about what the “new” laws would be. Christ-followers could now be Jew or Gentile, and that whole dynamic was huge in those days.

You’re a Gentile if you’re a non-Jewish person. Jewish believers had to really stretch to allow Gentiles to worship Jesus, too. It’s helpful to know the context here. The issue focuses on tradition and what should be expected of new followers who have no idea about Jewish traditions and laws. For generations, the Jews had done things a certain way according to the law of Moses. Their neighbors, the Gentiles, lived their lives in a totally different fashion. Continue reading “Acts 15:1-35 – Gentiles Welcome!”

Acts 2:1-47 – When the Holy Spirit Came

Read Acts 2:1-47

This passage describes the time the Holy Spirit made quite a splash with Jesus’ followers and those looking on. This was a pivotal moment, and the Christian church was born! Pentecost is still celebrated today by Christians around the world, and the Jews now celebrate the 50 days after Passover as Shavuot.

Jesus had promised he’d send a Helper, and this is the moment. Don’t you wish you could have been a fly on the wall as the Holy Spirit entered that place? What a memorable experience to see tongues of fire and hear the mighty wind and people speaking in different languages for the first time. Peter’s sermon would have been powerful to hear firsthand, witnessing Peter’s boldness and determination to share Jesus’ life-changing message. Continue reading “Acts 2:1-47 – When the Holy Spirit Came”