In this sequel to the Gospel of Luke, the author focuses on what Jesus is continuing to do through the apostles who are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ presence signals that the Kingdom of God has come to earth, and he is trying to help the disciples understand the nature of the kingdom and what it means to be part of it.

Like the disciples, we often think our biggest problem is lack of clarity and information. However, our primary problem is that we don’t move and trust that God will give us clarity when we need it.

God always begins by revealing himself to those who aren’t worthy. Then, he asks them to identify with him, forsake all else, and follow him on the mission of his purpose.

Only when we trust God, move towards him, and embrace his mission will the power of the Spirit work through us to change the lives of others and grow our own faith.

Although it rests on the shoulders of Judaism, from its first moment, Christianity is an international movement. This makes it unique from all other religions.

When Peter speaks the truth of the gospel, the people respond by asking for direction. So too should we look to the Word for direction and allow it to disrupt and form our worldview.

The first members of the Church were intimately dependent on one another despite their cultural differences. They not only worshiped, prayed, and took communion together, but they also generously shared resources.

While many of us view church and community as a place for like-minded people to affirm one another, that is not the case. These believers came together because they realized what they had in common was their need for Jesus.

After Peter heals the man lame from birth, he seizes the opportunity to explain his actions to the crowd. Telling them about Jesus is far more important than the miracle he performs.

We too should act in such a way that it requires an explanation. Then, we must be ready to share our faith and how Jesus has changed our lives.

Peter explains to his audience that while they were rejecting Jesus, God was at work, and his mercy still extends to them if they will receive him on his terms.

Not only must we repent of our sins and turn to God for salvation, but we must adopt a constant posture of repentance. Only then, when we lean into God, can he refresh our souls.

God’s mercy is wide—he accepts all who turn to him. However, the way to God is narrow, as he is accessible only through the person and work of Jesus.

As Peter and John face persecution for preaching the gospel and healing in Jesus’ name, it becomes apparent that the Church is a unique entity.

Peter is clear that Jesus is exclusive—we can either come under his authority, be evaluated by him, and let him provide for us; or, we can decide to evaluate God and try to provide for ourselves.

When the ruling government opposes God, we must obey until we can’t. When the authority’s laws ask us to sin or disobey God, we obey God and suffer the consequences.

The nations always have been and always will be against God and his mission. However, the Church often flourishes and becomes more powerful when persecuted.

We should not be surprised when we encounter resistance to God’s message and mission in the world. Instead, we should allow God’s Spirit to fill us and give us power to move God’s kingdom forward.

As God builds his church, a pattern emerges—God gives miraculous signs, the apostles interpret their meaning, and many people repent and believe the gospel.

In the early church, many are generous to provide for those in need. We also should be sure that there are no needy among us. Caring for one another well is a mark of the Holy Spirit within us.

Driven by the fear of man, Ananias and Sapphira lie about their gift to the church. In doing so, they ultimately lie to the Holy Spirit. This should prompt us to fear God rather than man.

God will not tolerate corruption in his church. To guard against corruption, we must practice the discipline of confession.

When the apostles are persecuted and have the opportunity to incite the crowds against the Jewish leadership, they choose not to. Instead, they continue with their mission to spread truth about who God is and what he has done through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Through the church, God is building a people for himself who demonstrate his power and image in the world. And in order to flourish, the church must be willing to deal with corruption.

The division in his passage is a result of the church allowing worldly distinctions to become greater than God’s distinctions. Even if we are different, as believers, a more important reality should unite us.

The apostles address the division directly. They are willing to open themselves up to change and redirection. So also should we be willing to openly address any problems in our church body.

If we want to maintain a regard for God’s holiness and see his power at work in our lives personally and in the church, we must address our sin honestly. Our church’s ability to address hard issues begins with our ability to deal with sin in our lives.

The apostles understand that they have limited energy, so they delegate responsibility to others. We too must say no to some good things in order to say yes to the things God has made us most responsible for.

Each member of the church body has something significant and valuable to contribute. As believers engage the needs of the church, it matures and gives glory to God.

After Stephen is stoned, a great wave of persecution scatters the believers at Jerusalem, and in turn, the gospel begins to spread throughout the world.

Saul, who would later be converted and become Paul, is energized to further persecute believers. His eventual conversion illustrates that God can take our greatest shame, pain, or guilt and use it for his good purposes.

Philip travels to Samaria and preaches the gospel. In this most unlikely place, people believe and are added to the church.

Simon, a sorcerer in Samaria, also believes. However, he still seeks personal power, and Peter rebukes him. Likewise, all spiritual leaders must be courageous and discerning when dealing with sin in their midst. We cannot call what is unholy, holy.

When the Holy Spirit prompts him, Philip shares the gospel with a powerful and wealthy Ethiopian eunuch. God uses both Philip’s humility and the eunuch’s obedience to expand his kingdom.

Only when we are in step with the Holy Spirit, connected to God’s mission, and focused on structuring our lives around God’s Word can we be used as witnesses for Jesus

When Jesus confronts Saul on the road to Damascus, he asks, “why are you persecuting me?” Christ identifies with the Church to such an extent that to harm a believer is to harm Jesus.

Although the circumstances of Saul’s conversion are disorienting, God’s grace is evident in his discipline and pursuit of Saul’s soul.

When God asks Ananias to go to Saul, he gives no assurance of his safety, and Ananias must be willing to risk his life in obedience to God.

Ultimately, Saul suffers greatly for the sake of the gospel, and God will use a “thorn in the flesh” to keep Saul dependent on him. We too must realize that suffering is part of the Christian life.

As Saul begins preaching the gospel, he is persecuted by the very people he used to lead. He also encounters resistance from fellow believers. However, the apostles humble themselves and see God is using Saul to advance his mission.

When Cornelius is visited by an angel and receives instructions from God, he acts immediately even though he has limited information.

Peter experiences a vision from God, and he is confused and limited by his knowledge. But God in his mercy reassures Peter, who then acts in obedience.

Ultimately, Peter and Cornelius both receive clarity from God, and the gospel is advanced through the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s mercy is wide, and he wants to bring people from all nations to himself.

Like Peter, we must be willing to humble ourselves and be open to the idea that God is not like us. He advances his kingdom on his own terms, and he expects our faithful obedience even when our questions remain unanswered.

Many of us overvalue certain ideas or perspectives (about marriage, parenting, etc.), and that can limit God’s ability to work in our lives. We must be willing to let the Holy Spirit guide us so God’s power can be manifested in our lives.

We can trust that God will work and bring people to repentance by the work of his Spirit. People are saved not by the power of our words but of God’s desire and his presence as we are willing to speak about what he has done in our lives.

Peter and the leadership of the early church realize that God is bringing Gentiles into the body of believers, which creates tension for Jewish believers.

As the gospel takes root in foreign soil, the church in Antioch grows exponentially, creating access for all who believe in Jesus.

When Peter is imprisoned, the church is faithful to intercede for him. They are dependent on God for what they cannot do. We also should develop a worldview of dependence on God for all things.

Although both Stephen and James have died for the gospel, Peter is freed from prison, showing that we cannot know God or understand his ways.

God’s decisions and direction are informed by his infinite wisdom. While there is much in life we cannot understand—both good and bad—we can trust that God is working according to his good purposes.

This first missionary journey marks a shift—Christianity is no longer centered in Jerusalem but is being spread elsewhere, and Gentiles are being actively recruited and brought into the church.

Paul and Barnabus are sent by the church at Antioch. This is an intentional, strategic move to expand God’s kingdom.

As the gospel is preached, we see both acceptance and rejection.

There is also a correlation between persecution and the expansion of God’s kingdom. In his sovereignty, God allows circumstances of resistance and opposition to show his power.

Even in the face of persecution—nearly to the point of death—Paul continues to preach the gospel. He is fully convinced that he is spreading the truth.

Christianity is fueled by sacrifice. We must be willing to risk reputation, relationships, energy, and resources in order to tell others about who Jesus is and what he has done for us.

As more Gentiles come to faith in Antioch, many Jewish leaders think they should be circumcised in order to join the church. This creates conflict, and a delegation of leaders meet at Jerusalem to make a decision.

The Jewish believers have faced some major shifts in their thinking and identity over the past several years. Ultimately, they must align with the truth that salvation is free and available to all—both Jew and Gentile.

Unity is most powerful where diversity is present. Both Jews and Gentiles need to make sacrifices in order to remain committed to one another as believers even when they disagree on some things.

The Jews must remember that they are not the standard for holiness. And the Gentiles must come under the authority of the church and change their lives in order to bring credibility to their faith.

Even though both Jews and Gentiles have to make sacrifices, the believers rejoice that church leadership has provided clear direction. So should we seek to preserve unity in the church.

When Paul and Barnabas embark on their journey, they disagree over the inclusion of John Mark and ultimately part ways. However, both of their views are valid, and God is at work regardless of their tension.

All of Christianity revolves around Jesus—a man who gave up his divine rights for the sake of God’s mission. He will surely ask us to give up some of our freedoms to expand his kingdom.

While it is easy to allow our gifts and talents to drive our direction in ministry, God’s plan must take precedence. Our job is not to get God on board with our plan—our job is to find out where God is working and join him.

When the Philippian jailer faces despair, Paul offers him hope in the gospel. The truths of God’s love, trustworthiness, and sovereignty also give us hope during seasons of darkness.

A believer’s life should be marked by baptism and repentance. Living in the light of Jesus’ sacrifice for us means that we identify with him physically and publicly through baptism and that we consistently move away from sin and towards holiness.

Paul and those ministering with him are aware that they have been graciously rescued by Jesus, and they are fully committed to furthering his mission.

When Paul preaches the gospel in Thessalonica, those on the fringe of society—who are well acquainted with their unworthiness—see its beauty most clearly.

However, many of the Jews are jealous, desiring to maintain their power and influence. In the same way, if we are attached to the status quo, we will always have a difficult time following Jesus, for the gospel is inherently disruptive.

Rejection leads to opposition. You cannot be neutral towards Jesus—you must either accept or reject him.

The Jews in Berea have both a posture of humility and a process of examining God’s Word to find truth. We also must be capable of discerning Scripture and open to learning from others.

There is a kingdom of light and a kingdom of darkness, and they are in continuous, raging conflict.

Jesus was clear that as believers, we will endure trials, so we should not be surprised when we experience difficulty. There will be joy on the other side of suffering.

Anything we build our lives around—even good things—can be an idol. We are all natural worshipers who orient our lives around what we believe will feed our souls.

When Paul sees the idolatry of the Athenians, he is moved with compassion. He knows that idols are imposters which leave us empty and heartbroken.

We often fail to see others with compassion, either because we are not troubled by their idolatry, or because we see their way of life as a threat.

While the gospel offers hope, it can be difficult to receive. People must see their sin, understand their need of God, and be willing to turn from what they are already worshiping.

What you believe about God has no bearing on who God is. He does not need our belief in order to exist.

While building relationships with people is good, the most important thing is to share the gospel. We must be clear that God does not offer a better life, but he does offer eternal life.

Apollos receives correction well, and it is to his credit that he is willing to move with the insight he possesses. We need to be willing to move with the insight we have and trust God to give us what we need.

As Paul preaches the gospel at Ephesus, some receive the truth, and others reject it. If we ignore God’s revelation, over time, our hearts will become hardened to his truth.

God gives Paul extraordinary power to perform miracles. In this way, God speaks to the Ephesians in terms they understand and thus advances his kingdom.

God is the greatest version of what our souls deeply crave—power, significance, peace, comfort, etc.

Some of the Ephesians accept the gospel and burn their books on sorcery. Others reject God and incite a riot. You cannot become a worshiper of God without turning from the other things you worship.

Paul’s hope is not disrupted by the chaos around him. The world cannot compete with the hope we have within our souls.

Paul and the Ephesian elders have reoriented their lives around a cause that is different and greater than themselves—spreading the gospel.

Suffering is integral to ministry. If you are going to serve God’s people, there will be hardship. However, God uses our sacrifices to build the church and care for his people.

Truth is more important than fellowship. As believers, we are responsible to speak God’s truth to those around us.

Elders and pastors in particular must guard themselves against corruption, pride, and the craving of prominence.

The authority of the church is vital to our spiritual well being. Believers must be willing to come under that authority as its intent is to guard their souls.

To lead others well is to pour out your life, making yourself vulnerable. This puts you in a position where only God can fill you.

Before his conversion, Paul was a zealous Jew—a leader against Christianity. Now, he feels a deep sense of responsibility to share the gospel with the Jewish people.

In a short period of time, the gospel has put down deep roots. God has worked through Paul’s ministry to grow the church exponentially among both Jews and Gentiles.

The Holy Spirit is at work among the people—this is a cause of both power and tension, for the Holy Spirit does not create uniformity.

Unity is only maintained by humility. Those who are begging Paul not to go to Jerusalem must humble themselves, and so must Paul. They can have unity without perfectly understanding one another.

Humility for the sake of unity will lead to real vulnerability. However, this puts us in a position to see God work on our behalf.

God continues to put Paul in unique situations in order to spread the gospel, and he is willing to take risks to share his story in compelling ways.

Paul does not allow his past to define him. If we struggle to overcome our past, it is often because we don’t have full faith in the gospel’s power to pay for our sins and make us new.

Just as Paul’s story is a powerful vehicle for sharing the gospel, so is any believer’s story. It does not have to be dramatic or sensational in order to display Jesus’ transformative power in our lives.

It is easy to over identify with our earthly citizenship, but we must remember our true identity is as citizens of God’s kingdom.

God often puts us in situations where he wants us to share our story with unbelievers, and we should be attuned and sensitive to those opportunities.

As Paul continues to be tried by Roman officials, he uses the opportunity to share his story. Being a witness for Jesus is the most important thing for him.

Even though Paul is in prison for two years, his faith remains strong. When things don’t go well for us, it reveals where our hope is placed.

While the gospel is a message of hope, it carries inherent judgment. It’s both gracious and vital that we tell the full message of the gospel, including the reality of sin and judgment.

Just as Paul shares the gospel without fear and opens himself up to those around him, so must our lives be characterized by boldness and vulnerability.

Our lives should be oriented around God’s mission—part of that is living rightly and with credibility.

Paul embarks on what will be a long and dangerous journey to Rome. However, God’s favor is on him, and his grace extends to all those around Paul.

Along the way, Paul is encouraged by fellow believers who show hospitality towards him. So should our fellowship with other Christians be marked by biblical hospitality and care.

Circumstances do not determine whether or not we are in God’s good graces. Often, God demonstrates his power to others through our faith during difficult times.

When all hope seems to be gone for those on the ship, Paul is able to be a conduit of hope—sharing that God’s rescue and protection will carry them through the storm.

As Christ-followers, we are also instruments of God’s blessing and salvation to others. We can be people of stability and anchor those around us to God’s truth.

We tend to live disoriented lives, but through trusting God fully, we can discern his direction for us and direct our energy towards his mission.

Even when he repeatedly faces hardship, Paul remains steadfast in his faith. Likewise, we need to stop measuring God’s love for us according to our circumstances.

In fact, God often uses challenging circumstances to display his providence. Paul’s shipwreck on Malta allows the people there to hear the gospel, and many respond in faith.

When Paul arrives in Rome, he continues his mission of inviting others into God’s kingdom. This is our mission as well, and the Holy Spirit empowers us to be channels of the gospel.

Many of us want the benefits of the kingdom without submitting to the king. When we receive Jesus, we don’t just receive his forgiveness, we also receive his rule over our lives

While our mission is to spread the gospel, how others respond is not our responsibility—we can leave the outcome to Jesus.