The Acts of the Holy Spirit (Through the Church) or The Acts of the Risen Christ (Through the Church)
The Book of Acts is the bridge book of the New Testament because it connects the ministry of Jesus to the ministry and mission of the church, the Gospels to theEpistles, Israel to the nations, the ministry of Peter (Acts 2-12) to the ministry of Paul (Acts 13-28), and the Old Covenant era to the Spirit-filled New Covenant era.
The Great Commission Requires a GreatEmpowerment
The book of Acts was written by the same Luke who wrote the Gospel of Luke. He addressed both books to Theophilus, a high-ranking Roman official who had accepted Christ (Acts 1:1, Luke 1:1-3). Theologians agree that both books are also for the entire church and were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Luke was an historian, doctor, and traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.
Acts1:1 The former account (The Gospel of Luke) I made, O Theophilus, of all thatJesus began both to do and teach, … New King James Version
Acts1:2 …until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. New King James Version
Acts1:4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” New King James Version
Acts1:6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “Itis not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.” New King James Version
Acts1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” New King James Version
The word “power” comes from the Greek word dýnamis [do -nah-miss] and means supernatural ability that enables us to be a witness for Jesus in this world! It’s the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and enabled the early church and now us to do all the things we’ll study in this book!
The word “witnesses” comes from the Greek word martyrs [MAR-too-res]which was transliterated into our English word “martyr” and had the definition changed to one who dies for Christ. In Bible Greek it meant much more than that. It meant one who publicly lived out, spoke out, and stood firm for the truths and principles of Jesus recorded in the Bible.
In Acts 1:9-11, Jesus ascends into heaven
In Acts 1:12-14, they are waiting in the upper room for God’s Power to come and they are also praying
In Acts 1:15-23, the eleven disciples pick a twelfth disciple, Matthias, to replace Judas who betrayed Jesus
Jews in Bible days would have understood the significance of the Holy Spirit coming on the day of Pentecost (Shavuot). Pentecost was celebrated 50 days after Passover.
Itspurpose was to celebrate the wheat harvest. That’s why people brought the firstfruits of their harvest to God as a sacrifice. Jews from all over the knownworld would come to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost. God is about to bringin the first fruits of His salvation harvest, 3,000 new believers.
Jewsin Bible days also saw the day of Pentecost as being symbolic of God givingMoses the Torah on Mount Sinai. The fire, wind, and sound were all part of thisexperience (Exodus 19:16-19).
The day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two is when God switched from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. This event became the new Mount Sinai. God’s power not just empowering one man, Moses, but the entire church!
Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. New King James Version
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. New King James Version
The Greek word translated as “filled” means to be fully influenced and empowered by. Before speaking in other tongues came the Holy Spirit filled and controlled Elizabeth (Luke 1:41), Zechariah (Luke 1:67), other believers (Acts 4:31), and the list goes on. They were filled to prophetically declare, serve, flow inwisdom, have boldness, etc., without speaking in other tongues.
Acts 2:8 “And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? … 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” 13 Others mocking said,“They are full of new wine.” New King James Version
The New Testament speaks of two different types of Supernatural Tongues. In 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 5, 14-18, the Bible talks about Other Tongues that are for a private prayer language that edifies us and speaks directly to God. And if we use these Other Tongues in a church service someone must be there to interpret them so all will be edified. (1 Corinthains 14:13).
The Bible also speaks about Other Tongues being used as a sign for unbelievers in 1 Corinthians 14:22 which is quoting Isaiah 28:11. This is how God used OtherTongues on the day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell inJerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.” New King James Version
Acts 2:16 “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-32): 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days;And they shall prophesy.” New King James Version
Acts 2:19 “I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fireand vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of thegreat and awesome day of the Lord.” New King James Version
Acts 2:21 ‘And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ New King James Version
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles,“Men and brethren, what shall we do?” New King James Version
(It’sa simple sermon but covered with the Power of God and it goes into their hearts!And I love his answer.)
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent,and let every one of you be baptized in the name of JesusChrist for (Greek: As a result of, in view of) the remissionof sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” New King James Version
Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, inthe breaking of bread, and in prayers. New King James Version
Acts 2:46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house,they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. New King James Version