Acts
Open Your Bible
Acts 1:4-11, Acts 2:1-13, Joel 2:28-32, John 14:15-31
BY She Reads Truth
This Is the New Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. As we read, we’ll gain a broader understanding of the redemptive story of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture.
What Is Acts? The book of Acts is the second volume written by Luke. It continues where the Gospel of Luke ends, recording the work of the early apostles to spread the gospel in Jerusalem and the greater Mediterranean world. This historical account also documents how the early Church was built—person by person in city after city—through the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit.
How Acts Fits Into the Story: The book of Acts bridges the years between those who walked with Jesus firsthand and those who came to faith through their testimony. This book shows the fulfillment of Jesus’s promise to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples, and how the Holy Spirit sustained, equipped, and grew the early Church. It also gives us context for much of the New Testament, especially Paul’s letters to the churches he helped establish during his missionary journeys.
Reflection Questions:
1. According to Acts 1:8, what is one purpose of the Holy Spirit? How does today’s reading expand your understanding of who the Holy Spirit is?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
52 thoughts on "Acts"
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7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. – Acts 1:7 This is such a comfort to hear as a mama-to-be bringing a new little person into the world when it’s so crazy out there. There is a plan, and it’s not our job to understand the details but rather to walk in faith while we’re in this world, not of it.
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❤️
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Oh man am I ever grateful for the Holy Spirit, he is my guide, when I choose to listen that is. Only the one true God would love us enough to leave a piece of Him with His followers to help them. Thank you Jesus for your daily guidance through the Holy Spirit.
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1. According to Acts 1:8, what is one purpose of the Holy Spirit? How does today’s reading expand your understanding of who the Holy Spirit is?
“…But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” One purpose of the Holy Spirit is to guide us as witnesses, to remind, lead, and counsel us in God’s way, so that we might keep His word and help others to meet, know and follow Him in the same way. “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit,ah whom the Father will sendai in my name, will teach you all things ajand remind you of everything I have told you.” -John 14: 25-26
Side note: Interesting breakdown of the Pentecost reference and what that means for the verses we read in Acts 2 today:
Pentecost is significant in both the Old and New Testaments. “Pentecost” is actually the Greek name for a festival known in the Old Testament as the Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:9). The Greek word means “fifty” and refers to the fifty days that have elapsed since the wave offering of Passover. The Feast of Weeks celebrated the end of the grain harvest. Most interesting, however, is its use in Joel and Acts. Looking back to Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28–32) and forward to the promise of the Holy Spirit in Christ’s last words on earth before His ascension into heaven (Acts 1:8), Pentecost signals the beginning of the church age.The only biblical reference to the actual events of Pentecost is Acts 2:1–3. Pentecost is reminiscent of the Last Supper; in both instances the disciples are together in a house for what proves to be an important event. At the Last Supper the disciples witness the end of the Messiah’s earthly ministry as He asks them to remember Him after His death until He returns. At Pentecost, the disciples witness the birth of the New Testament church in the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell all believers. Thus the scene of the disciples in a room at Pentecost links the commencement of the Holy Spirit’s work in the church with the conclusion of Christ’s earthly ministry in the upper room before the crucifixion.
The description of fire and wind mentioned in the Pentecost account resounds throughout the Old and the New Testament. The sound of the wind at Pentecost was “rushing” and “mighty.” Scriptural references to the power of wind (always understood to be under God’s control) abound. Exodus 10:13; Psalm 18:42 and Isaiah 11:15 in the Old Testament and Matthew 14:23–32 in the New Testament are only a few examples. More significant than wind as power is wind as life in the Old Testament (Job 12:10) and as spirit in the New (John 3:8). Just as the first Adam received the breath of physical life (Genesis 2:7), so the last Adam, Jesus, brings the breath of spiritual life. The idea of spiritual life as generated by the Holy Spirit is certainly implicit in the sound of the wind at Pentecost.
Fire is often associated in the Old Testament with the presence of God (Exodus 3:2; 13:21–22; 24:17; Isaiah 10:17) and with His holiness (Psalm 97:3; Malachi 3:2). Likewise, in the New Testament, fire is associated with the presence of God (Hebrews 12:29) and the purification He can bring about in human life (Revelation 3:18). God’s presence and holiness are implied in the Pentecostal tongues of fire. Indeed, fire is identified with Christ Himself (Revelation 1:14; 19:12); this association naturally underlies the Pentecost gift of the Holy Spirit, who would teach the disciples the things of Christ (John 16:14).
Another aspect of the Day of Pentecost is the miraculous speaking in foreign tongues which enabled people from various language groups to understand the message of the apostles. In addition is the bold and incisive preaching of Peter to a Jewish audience. The effect of the sermon was powerful, as listeners were “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37) and instructed by Peter to “repent, and be baptized” (Acts 2:38). The narrative concludes with three thousand souls being added to the fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayers, apostolic signs and wonders, and a community in which everyone’s needs were met.
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Just great reminders that no part of his rescue plan was forgotten; that all His promises of a savior were fulfilled, and that even though Jesus is not currently still physically with us, He did not abandon us while we wait for the Day of the Lord. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit and still are active participants in His redemption plan; working in His name and for the good of all his children as we are led to share His word and help others to love Him, so they will be saved and loved by Him as well.
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The Holy Spirit is in us and empowers us to be witnesses – even to the ends of the earth. This reminds me that my purpose here is not just to be empowered for my own purposes, but to walk forward as someone who is on mission to share Jesus with those around me.
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According to Acts 1:8, one purpose of the Holy Spirit is to give us the power to be witnesses for Jesus wherever we may go; whether that be in our neighborhoods, our jobs, as we travel, and even to our own families. Today’s reading shows that Jesus kept his promise to not leave us comfortless. He sent the Holy Ghost to be in us, to guides, and to keep us.
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Knowing that the Holy Spirit was given to us as a helper makes it somewhat easier to do what the Lord has asked of me even though I sometimes forget this.
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The Holy Spirit, our helper. That is so awesome just thinking about it. God is good to us.
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