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Acts continues the account of Jesus' work as He prepares His followers to become witnesses through the Holy Spirit's power. His ascension and the disciples' united prayer introduce the mission that will carry the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
Following Judas's death, Peter turns to Scripture as the disciples consider a replacement among those who witnessed Jesus' ministry and resurrection. The study examines repentance, qualifications for apostolic witness, and the importance of lasting spiritual fruit.
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fills the gathered disciples and enables them to proclaim God's works in languages their hearers understand. The event reveals God's power to reach people across national boundaries and prompts sharply different responses from the crowd.
Peter boldly explains Pentecost through Joel's prophecy and proclaims Jesus' death, resurrection, and exaltation. His appeal shows how Scripture and eyewitness testimony point to Jesus as Lord and Christ, calling the crowd to respond to God's salvation.
Convicted by Peter's message, the hearers are called to repent and be baptized, receiving forgiveness and the promised Spirit. The growing church then devotes itself to apostolic teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer, expressing its new life through worship and generous care.
On their way to prayer, Peter and John encounter a man asking for money at the temple gate. His healing in Jesus' name turns an ordinary routine into an opportunity for faith, compassionate ministry, and public praise to God.
After the lame man's healing, Peter directs the crowd's attention away from human power and toward Jesus. His message connects the miracle with Scripture, offers another opportunity to repent, and points to forgiveness and restoration through Christ.
Arrested for proclaiming Jesus' resurrection, Peter and John testify boldly that salvation is found in His name alone. The authorities recognize their connection with Jesus, but threats cannot silence their commitment to speak what they have seen and heard.
The threatened church prays for boldness, viewing opposition through God's sovereignty and the promises of Scripture. The Spirit's answer brings courageous witness, unity, and generous sharing, showing the practical effects of God's power and grace among believers.
Ananias and Sapphira's deception exposes the danger of giving for appearance rather than from a sincere heart. God's judgment emphasizes holiness and honesty in the church, while the apostles' healing ministry and the believers' unity accompany continuing growth.
The apostles continue proclaiming Jesus despite imprisonment, threats, and beatings, insisting that obedience to God comes first. Gamaliel's counsel and their joy in suffering contrast temporary human opposition with the enduring work of God.
A complaint about neglected widows leads the church to appoint qualified servants while the apostles remain devoted to prayer and the word. The response shows how shared responsibility, wisdom, and Spirit-filled service address practical needs and strengthen the church.
Stephen's Spirit-empowered service encounters opposition that cannot answer his wisdom and turns instead to false accusations. His example calls believers to know Scripture carefully, recognize distorted claims, and remain faithful as witnesses to the truth about Jesus.
Stephen traces God's dealings with Abraham, Joseph, and Moses, revealing a repeated pattern of resistance to those God sends. His defense challenges confidence in religious heritage and calls for obedient faith instead of a heart drawn back toward bondage and idols.
Stephen explains that God cannot be confined to a man-made temple and confronts his hearers' resistance to the Holy Spirit. As he is stoned, his vision of Jesus and prayer for his attackers display faithful witness, hope, and forgiveness in the face of death.
Persecution scatters believers and carries the gospel into Samaria, where Philip's ministry brings joy and many respond. Simon's attempt to purchase spiritual power exposes a heart that needs repentance and shows that God's gifts cannot be bought or controlled.
Philip obeys God's direction to a desert road, where an Ethiopian official is seeking to understand Isaiah. Beginning with that passage, Philip explains Jesus, and the man's response of faith and baptism shows the value of personal, Scripture-centered evangelism.
Saul's campaign against believers is interrupted by an encounter with the risen Jesus. Through Ananias's obedience, Saul receives sight, is filled with the Spirit, and begins proclaiming the Christ he had opposed, displaying God's transforming grace and calling.
Threats cannot stop Saul's witness, and Barnabas helps the church receive the former persecutor as a brother. Peter's ministry to Aeneas and Tabitha then demonstrates God's power to heal and restore life, encouraging bold faith and prayer.
God prepares Cornelius and Peter for an encounter that will carry the gospel across a major social barrier. Cornelius responds to the angel's message while Peter's vision challenges him to stop calling unclean what God has cleansed.