You can see from the first verse that this was another book written by Luke to Theophilus whose name, we may remember, means friend of God. Jesus said (John15v14) “You are my friends if you do as I command you”. By this definition Acts is full of God’s friends.
STARTING WITH THE APOSTLES
Why is it called Acts of the Apostles ? it seems to be mainly about two of them-Peter and Paul. I think the answer lies in verse 2. Jesus had given, through the Holy Spirit, instructions to the apostles during his lifetime but this was now going to be their moment. For within a relatively short period of time the gospel, starting with those apostles, was going to be taken to the ends of the known world.
Jesus had asked them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit baptism (v4). They were to receive power when the Holy Spirit had come upon them and they would be his witnesses (v8) in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Then came the festival of Pentecost —Pente meaning Fifty- which was a popular festival which took place 50 days after the appearance of the first harvest fruits. They were all together in one place and suddenly it came (2:1-4). Notice it was not actually a wind, only the sound of a violent wind, and tongues of fire appeared and one rested on each one of them. Holy fire is often around when God’s presence is manifest and tongues were symbolic of their God-given anointing to speak.
It is interesting that the Jews who gathered for the festival came from a very wide area. Those from north eastern countries like the Medes, South from Egypt and Libya, West from Rome, East from Arabia and North from Asia (2v9-11). Communication within the Roman Empire was very good; just as it had also been under the other major empires like Assyria, Babylon, Persia and Greece. It seems that God had relocated devout Jews, possibly traders, all around the Roman empire. Their remarkable ability to speak God’s message in every one of those languages amazed many (2v12). It is useful to look at the content of Peter’s sermon when he linked in with the old testament history and clearly focused on Jesus (v22)-his wonderful deeds, his crucifixion (incidentally which God had also planned (v23), his resurrection, his ascension to the right hand of God and His pouring out of the Holy Spirit. This Jesus who they had crucified was both the Lord and Messiah (v36); the promised one they had been waiting for. People were cut to the heart and asked what they should do.
THE MESSAGE
The message of the gospels had not changed (v38) for Peter replied: repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ .. for forgiveness of sins and they also would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. About three thousand were “added” that day (v41). What were they added to? they were added to the community of Christians. The Holy Spirit had always been around, empowering many old testament heroes and, of course, John the Baptist and Jesus. This time God was empowering a new instrument, the church of God. and 3000 were added on that very first day.
THE LIFE
These were wonderful days for the Gospel. All the fundamentals of church life were immediately there (v42-46 )- devotion to the Apostles teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers, signs and wonders, sharing with the poor and praising God. Day by day people were being saved and added to their number (v47).
THE MIRACLES
In chapter 3 we read of the amazing healing of a lame man next to the gate Beautiful where he normally sat to beg. Again Peter’s preaching lifted up the glorified Jesus (v13) who, before Pilate, they had rejected. If they repented “times of refreshing” would come from the presence of the Lord (v20). Despite opposition, chapter 4 v4 tells us that another five thousand believed on this occasion. Following their arrest, they were able to speak to the religious leaders and declare to them the healing power of the name of Jesus who they had crucified and how (v12) there is “salvation in on one else.” The authorities threatened them but had no option but to release them and all they did was pray for more boldness (v29) and more healing. This prayer was answered most powerfully (v31) for the place was physically shaken as they were filled with the Holy Spirit and indeed, they spoke with boldness.
Their unity was strong for they “were of one heart and soul” (v32) and there was powerful preaching (v33), powerful love and generous giving. In chapter 5 there is a dramatic reminder that we cannot fool God for he knows the hearts of men and women and sadly the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit (v3). Both of them dropped stone dead. The anointing was so powerful that the sick would wait for Peter’s shadow to touch them (v15) and great numbers were also coming from towns around Jerusalem (v16). As more were added, the opposition increased due to jealousy (v17) but when the apostles were put into prison, the jailers did not count on an angel of the Lord bringing them out (v19). The apostles were determined to obey God rather than any human authority (v29) and notice in v32 that God gives the Holy Spirit to those who are obedient.
APPOINTMENT THROUGH LAYING ON OF HANDS
Minor administrative problems among the disciples led to the appointment of 7 outstanding men to serve poor widows (chapter 6). The apostles prayed and laid hands on them (v6). Stephen, one of them, for example, did great signs and wonders among the people (v8). Sadly Stephen was too good for this world and as he spoke the true word he received a revelation of Jesus seated at the right hand of God (7v55). While being stoned Stephen forgave his murderers (v60).
TO JUDEA AND SAMARIA
The gospel had been preached in Jerusalem but it was the persecution (8v1) that followed which led to it spreading to the rest of Judea and Samaria. In particular, Saul was ravaging the church house by house (v3).
Another of the seven, Philip, then had a very anointed time of ministry in Samaria (v5-8). A young sorcerer was there, named Simon, who was known as “great” because of his great occult power. Simon realised that there was a power greater than his when he saw Philip’s signs and miracles (v13) and was baptised himself. It is quite possible that you can believe on Jesus but not receive the Holy Spirit; this is what happened here and Peter and John came to pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit (v15). This was a gift that cannot be bought with money for when Simon tried to do it (v18) he narrowly escaped real trouble. Philip was then told by an angel to go away from the limelight to the wilderness road that led from Jerusalem to Gaza (v26) and there he found a high official of Queen Candace of Ethiopia. The African was struggling with the suffering servant passage in Isaiah 53 and the Spirit directed Philip to go up to his chariot (v29) and explain to this man the good news about Jesus (v35). Philip must have emphasised the importance of baptism for when they came across some water he said “what is to prevent me from being baptised?” (v36). It is seems very probable that immersion was the method; otherwise why should they go down into the water(v38). Also that baptism is more than a public profession of faith because on this occasion it was clearly carried out in private. Perhaps this Holy Spirit event would be very significant in taking the gospel to north Africa but this was not a job for Philip who was transported away to Azotus (v40).
NOW THE GENTILES
Chapter 9 is the infamous Damascus experience of Saul who, blinded by the light of the Lord, immediately changed from a church hater to a church builder. Notice (v5) it was Jesus who Saul had been persecuting, by maltreating His people, and Jesus himself who spoke to him. Saul was chosen to be an instrument of God to take the message to the Gentiles (v15) as well as Israel. Ananias was told in a vision to find Saul and then pray and lay hands on him to regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately he started proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God (v20) with great effect.
Paul preached in Damascus until the threat of persecution led the believers to drop him over the city wall in a basket (v25) and send him off to his home town of Tarsus. The first part of the prophecy had now been fulfilled for these were good days for the church which had spread through Judea, Galilee and Samaria (v31) and was still increasing in numbers. Peter moved among believers and went down to Lydda (v32). Notice the words Peter used to Aeneas the paralytic “Jesus Christ heals you” and after raising Dorcas, a good-living disciple, from the dead (v40) Peter stayed at Joppa.
Now was the time for the Gentiles to come into the church and the first one was an Italian centurion, Cornelius. Notice that even though he feared God (10v2), gave alms and prayed he still needed the gospel. God, who knew his heart, had plans for him and an angel showed him where Peter lived (v6). Peter had been praying on his roof (v9) when he received a vision of unclean animals which God used to convince him that “unclean” Gentiles were also part of His plan. The travelling party from Cornelius arrived and Peter travelled with them to Caesarea and encouraged them to believe in Jesus and receive forgiveness of sins. The Holy Spirit fell on them just like Pentecost and they were baptised immediately.
In a place called Antioch some men from Cyrene and Cyprus proclaimed the message to those who were not Jews (11v20) and a great many became believers. This caused quite a stir in Jerusalem but Barnabas went to encourage them, fetched Saul from Tarsus and they taught together for a whole year to a great many people there.
Meanwhile in Jerusalem Herod was persecuting some Christians and had James killed with a sword (12v2). He also arrested Peter but the church prayed fervently while Peter was in prison and an angel of the Lord led Peter safely out (12v7).
PAUL’S GREAT MISSIONARY JOURNEYS
Paul and Barnabas had finished their mission to Antioch but the church there then became the missionary base to the Gentiles. When worshipping and fasting the Holy Spirit said that they should set apart Barnabas and Saul (13v2) for what we know as Paul’s first great missionary journey (13 years after the crucifixion). Barnabas was senior to Paul to start with but this would soon change. They sailed to Cyprus where the Roman proconsul was converted after Paul had a showdown with the evil sorcerer Elymas (8-11). Paul was quickly recognised as the leader and was from then on called Paul rather than his former name Saul. They then sailed North across the sea to the Asia mainland in what is today southern Turkey. Notice (13v5) they would look for a Jewish synagogue and proclaim the word of God. In Antioch (the Turkey one) they had a particularly warm reception and virtually the whole city turned out to listen (v44). In this case, as in many other places, a group would also turn against them (v50) and they were driven out to another city. Sometimes they were also abused-see Paul’s stoning in Lystra (14v19). Often there would be miracles (14v8) and where possible they would seek God to appoint elders (v23) to establish each individual church. Finally back to their home church Antioch 2 years after they had started. A door of faith had been opened for the Gentiles (v27).
The second journey was undertaken by Paul and Silas because Barnabas had a different view on whether they should take with them John Mark who had deserted them on the previous journey. Although they never travelled together again, there was no lasting animosity and Paul later spoke highly of Barnabas; besides, John Mark was with him during his imprisonment in Rome. Paul took the journey overland back to revisit the churches he had earlier established in Asia, including Lystra where he was joined by a godly disciple named Timothy (16v1). They were following the guidance of the Spirit of Jesus who would not allow them to speak the word in Asia (16v6) or Bithynia (v7) in the north but Paul had a vision of a man calling him to go over to Macedonia and help them (v9). This became a three-year trip, and was the first to what we know as Europe, but it was not to be for the fainthearted. He went to Greek cities like Philippi (v12) where we know of the flogging, imprisonment, earthquake. Well known is the conversion of the jailer and his household who asked that memorable question: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (v30). Thessalonica (17v1) was also confrontational and then on to Athens where Paul’s famous sermon focused on an inscription “to an unknown god” (17v23) and how God had allotted times and places to people so that they would search for Him and find Him(v27). Their time in Corinth was a successful and they stayed for a year and six months (18v11). Paul ended his three year mission and returned to Jerusalem and Antioch and after spending some time with them he was soon to start his third and final journey.
The journey went overland again through Asia Minor and eventually reached Ephesus where he remained for nearly 3 years. The stay in Ephesus was interesting; there more disciples without the HolySpirit (19v2) for they had been baptised by John for repentance but not in the name of Jesus. God worked many miracles through Paul as handkerchiefs, which had touched his skin, were brought to the sick, their diseases left them and evil spirits came out of them (v12). Some sons of Sceva tried to cast out evil spirits in their own strength and got beaten up for their efforts (v16). There was also a public bonfire of magic books (v19). Again he visited the Greek cities (ch20) and back to Ephesus but it is clear that Paul knew that his ministry there was coming to an end. He called himself “captive to the Spirit” (v22); persecutions awaited him (20v23) but Paul just wanted to finish the course (20v24) and the ministry that he had received from Jesus. He knew that he would never see their faces again(v25). Paul prophesied that trouble makers would come and it would be necessary for the leaders (who the Holy Spirit had appointed (v28)) to watch over themselves and take responsibility for shepherding their church flock (v28). The church had been obtained with the blood of God’s own son, Jesus (v28). The leaders, like himself should not expect financial reward but support the weak and work for their own keep where they could (v33-35). Paul’s departure was a very emotional time (v36-38). On the journey home Paul kept on receiving prophetic warnings that he should not go to Jerusalem (21v4, 10) where he would be bound. Paul knew what awaited him but courageously was willing even to die for Jesus (21v13). Notice Philip now lived in Caesarea and had 4 daughters who prophesied (v9).
Sure enough in Jerusalem some Jews did not like his acceptance of the Gentiles so he was nearly beaten to death and finally bound with two chains by the tribune of the cohort (21v33). Not thinking of himself he asked to speak to this bloodthirsty crowd (ch22) and again in ch23. The tribune (Claudius) eventually sought to protect Paul who was a Roman citizen and sent him to Felix the governor in Caesarea. Felix was fair to Paul, put him under a favourable house arrest, and 2 years later he was imprisoned when Felix was replaced by another governor (Porcius Festus (24v27). Festus wanted to gain favour from the Jews and Paul was about to be sent to Jerusalem for trial. Paul, knowing he had nothing to lose, appealed to the emperor (25v10). King Agrippa and Bernice were on a visit to welcome the new governor and Festus tested the case on the king (v14). Agrippa wanted to hear Paul who took another opportunity to preach about Jesus. Perhaps Agrippa was nearly persuaded (26v28); he certainly knew that Paul had done nothing wrong to deserve death or imprisonment (v31).
FINALLY TO ROME
Eventually he was put on a ship to Rome in about 60AD (ch27). Paul was treated favourably and as they arrived in Crete he prophesied that, although the ship would be wrecked, an angel had told him that all their lives would be spared (27v24). Notice the angel still confirmed that he would, indeed, stand before the emperor in Rome. It was Malta where they finally landed (ch28) and the natives showed them great kindness; their receptivity meant that many were healed; including the father of the leading man, Publius. They honoured Paul and gave the ship provisions for their journey to Rome (28v10). Paul was encouraged and thankful when believers came out to meet him (v15) and, although guarded, Paul was allowed to live by himself (v16). It was only 3 days later that he called local leaders of the Jews and eventually people came to him in “great numbers” (v23). Over a period of 2 years (v30, 31) he welcomed all who came to him. Whether that was the end of Paul’s life we do not know for sure but what we do know is that he had a wonderful opportunity for God right at the heart of the great Roman empire.
Within a short period the message of Jesus had been powerfully spread through all of the known world. Acts ends rather abruptly because the book is not the end of the Acts. The work of the Holy Spirit still goes on.