In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua] was in the beginning with God.

ACTS

The book of Acts is the fifth of the five books of gospels and acts. Luke, the physician, is the author of Acts. The name ‘Acts’ is the short form reference to ‘The Acts of the Apostles’. It records the works of the apostles, primarily those of Peter and Paul. The four books of the gospels focus on the life of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and the book of Acts tells of the work of the resurrected Christ, through the lives of the apostles.

Soon after Christ’s resurrection, He appeared to the apostles and commissioned them to make disciples of all nations. He commanded them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Holy Spirit. At the appointed time, on the Day of Pentecost, 11 apostles plus an additional 109 followers of Christ were filled with the Holy Spirit. They were empowered to be witnesses of Christ. Their ministry began in Jerusalem and soon spread throughout Judea, Samaria and the Roman Empire. This marked the beginning of the church in spreading the good news of the four gospels throughout the world.

Central to the work of the apostles was the message that Christ has risen and that there is no salvation in any other name. Whoever believes on Him will receive remission of sins. Salvation was made available to Jews and Gentiles throughout the entire world. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon those who believed, and the church began to grow rapidly. The power of the Holy Spirit emboldened the apostles to preach the gospel while enduring opposition even to the point of martyrdom.

Acts 1-8: Resurrected Christ; the Holy Spirit, Day of Pentecost; preaching and persecution in Jerusalem

Acts 8-12: Preaching in Judea and Samaria; conversion of Saul; Gentiles converted; Antioch Christians

Acts 13-20: Missionary journeys of Paul; concerning the Law of Moses; grace and the law; Antioch

Acts 21-28: Paul’s defense before the Sanhedrin; Paul is tried in Caesarea; Paul in Malta and Rome