Biblical Commentary
- Acts 1:1-11
Jesus commands his disciples to stay in Jerusalem, saying, "Don't depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
- Acts 1:6-14
Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth."
- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Peter calls 120 disciples to choose a successor to Judas. The successor must be a witness to the resurrection. They pray and then choose Matthias by lot "to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place."
- Acts 2:1-21
On the Day of Pentecost, devout Jews have come to Jerusalem from every nation. Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. Peter preaches a powerful sermon (which continues through 2:36).
- Acts 2:14a, 22-32
"Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs, even as you yourselves know, him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it."
- Acts 2:14a, 36-41
"Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.
- Acts 2:42-47
The disciples devoted themselves to the apostles' teach, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers. They had all possessions in common. The Lord daily added to their number those who were being saved.
- Acts 3:12-19
Peter preaches a sermon in the portico of the Temple, recounting their rejection of Jesus, acknowledging that they acted in ignorance, and calling them to repent and to receive forgiveness.
- Acts 4:5-12 Giving Credit (Edstrom)
Every day we have the opportunity to honor and give credit to God. Think of the beautiful things we see around us in nature. Think about the love that comes from our family and friends. Think about your life. If we listed credits we would find God's name at the top of every list and repeated over and over again. All credit goes to God!
- Acts 4:5-12
In 4:1-4, the priests and Sadducees arrested Peter and John. In 4:5-12, Peter and John take the opportunity to proclaim Jesus Christ to the Council (also known as the Sanhedrin).
- Acts 4:32-35
The disciples had all things in common. With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.
- Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
Forbidden by the Council (the Sanhedrin) to teach about Jesus, Peter and the other apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than men." They continued to proclaim Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah), counting any penalties as honors.
- Acts 6:1-7
The apostles chose seven devout men to handle practical matters, such as the daily distribution of good, so the apostles could focus on prayer and proclamation.
- Acts 7:55-60
A crowd, made furious by Stephen's sermon, stoned him to death. Saul, later to be known as Paul, was present and approved of the killing.
- Acts 8:14-17
The Jerusalem apostles, hearing that there were believers in Samaria, sent Peter and John to disciple them. Peter and John laid hands on the Samaritans, who then received the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
Philip went to Samaria to preach and heal––with excellent results (8:5-8). The Jerusalem apostles sent Peter and John to disciple the Samaritans. Peter and John laid hands on the Samaritans, who then received the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 8:26-40
An angel directed Philip to the road to Gaza, where Philip encountered an Ethiopian eunuch. Philip taught him the scriptures. The Ethiopian, noting the presence of water, asked to be baptized, and Philip baptized him.
- Acts 9:1-20
Saul received authority to arrest Christians in Damascus. As he traveled there, he saw a vision of Jesus, who made himself known to Saul. Saul lost his sight, but became a Christian. He then regained his sight.
- Acts 9:36-43
Tabitha (also known as Dorcas), a faithful disciple, died. Peter called her to arise, and she opened her eyes and arose. Many people from Joppa heard about this, and became believers.
- Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
Cornelius, a Roman centurion, became a believer (10:25-26). Peter acknowledges his new understanding that God is accessible to all believers, Jew or Gentile (10:34-35). God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to Gentiles (10:44-48).
- Acts 10:34-43
Peter acknowledges his new understanding that God is accessible to all believers, Jew or Gentile. He tells that to a group of Gentiles, ending by saying, "Everyone who believes in Jesus will receive forgiveness."
- Acts 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, "Can any man forbid the water, that these who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we should not be baptized?" He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Acts 11:1-18
Peter reports to the church in Jerusalem his vision that caused him to embrace Christians who have not circumcised. The Jerusalem Christians praised God for opening the door to faith even to Gentiles.
- Acts 16:9-15
Paul's vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help. Paul, Silas, and Timothy travel to Philippi of Macedonia, where Lydia, a seller of purple, becomes a Christian.
- Acts 16:16-34
Paul exorcises a demon from a slave girl––and end up in prison. An earthquake opened the doors and freed the prisoners. The jailer and his family were converted.
- Acts 17:22-31
Paul preaches in Athens––telling them about a God unknown to them. Several people became disciples.
- Acts 19:1-7
Arriving in Ephesus, Paul discovered people baptized by John who had not received the Holy Spirit. He laid hands on them, and they received the Spirit.