This week, part of our Bible reading is chapters 8 through 12 of the Book of Acts. Why were these chapters called “Acts?” Where did the name come from? What are some of the highlights from the first 12 chapters? The answers to these questions are this week’s focus.
The title of the book of Acts comes from the Greek word praxis, a word often used in early Christian literature to describe the great deeds of the apostles or other significant believers. This title accurately reflects the contents of the book, which is a series of vignettes chronicling the lives of key apostles (especially Peter and Paul) in the decades immediately following Christ’s ascension into heaven.
Luke was the author, which followed directly from his gospel. It chronicles the ministry of many of the apostles, focusing on Peter in chapters 1 to 12 and Paul in chapters 13 to 28. Acts is the only book of the bible that describes the time right after Jesus’ death.
Acts 1 to 12 (all scriptures NIV)The highlights of these chapters:
The Great Commission
“… you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Receiving the Power of the Holy Spirit
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:4
Healing Power
“Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’” Acts 3:6
Believers Sharing
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” Acts 4:32
Persecution
“Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.” Acts 5:17-18
Expansion
“So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7
Wisdom and Courage
“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55
Listening to God
“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” Acts 8:26
Saul’s Conversion
“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Acts 9:3-4
Salvation for Every Nation
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.’” Acts 10: 34-35
Gentiles and Jews Together
“Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with[a] water, but you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles, God has granted repentance that leads to life.” Acts 11: 16-18
Miraculous Escape
“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly, the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me …” Acts 12:7-11
Prayer:
Lord, help us to absorb the wisdom and experiences of the apostles in their journey of faith, spreading Your Word to all the corners of the world. Give us an opportunity this week to bless someone with the love of Jesus by an act of kindness. We want to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit calling us to serve others and be the apostles of the 21st century. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.