Acts 1-2
We’ve read through all four Gospels. We’re half way through the New Testament. Today we start “the rest of the story”. Recalling Luke 1:1-4, we can see from Acts 1:1-3 that the Book of Acts (or “The Acts of the Apostles”) is a sequel to Luke’s Gospel, a sequel in which Luke chronicles the history of the early Church and the spread of the gospel message. We get a summary preview of the entire book from Jesus Himself before His Ascension into heaven:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8
Sure enough, on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit does indeed come upon Jesus’ followers in dramatic fashion and they do indeed receive power. Those who once denied Christ now stand up for Him. Those who once hid behind locked doors in fear now boldly proclaim Christ’s Resurrection.
But the Holy Spirit is not just for those present in Jerusalem on that Pentecost Day. He is for all who repent and are baptized. (Acts 2:38-39) He may not always manifest Himself with a mighty rushing wind or with visible tongues of fire. Usually He is much more subtle. But He is available just the same, and He always points to Jesus.
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