All Sessions
The Birth of the Church
Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues, and Peter’s foundational sermon establishing Acts 2:38.
Acts 1–2 Summary
Jesus gave His final instructions to the disciples and ascended to heaven, commanding them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father. Ten days later, on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Ghost fell in the upper room with the sound of a rushing mighty wind. The disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance.
Peter stood and preached boldly to the crowd, declaring that Jesus — whom they crucified — was both Lord and Christ. When the people asked what they should do, Peter gave the foundational Apostolic answer:
Acts 2:38
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Three thousand souls were added to the church that day. The pattern was established: repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost.
The Power and the Pushback
The lame man healed at the Gate Beautiful, Peter’s bold declaration that salvation is in no other name, and the church’s response to persecution — prayer.
Acts 3–4 Summary
Peter and John encountered a lame man at the Gate Beautiful who asked for money. Peter’s response changed his life: “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” The man leaped and praised God. The people marveled and Peter preached again, pointing to Jesus as the source of the miracle.
Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The religious leaders arrested Peter and John and commanded them to stop speaking in Jesus’ name. Their response: “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” When released, the church prayed together and the building was shaken. They were all filled afresh with the Holy Ghost.
Discipline, Growth, and Deacons
Ananias and Sapphira, the appointment of seven Spirit-filled deacons including Stephen, and the Word of God multiplying greatly.
Acts 5–6 Summary
Ananias and Sapphira secretly kept back part of what they pledged to God and lied about it. Both fell dead, a sobering reminder that God is holy and His church is not to be played with. Despite the opposition, the apostles continued to perform signs and wonders and the church kept growing.
A dispute arose over the fair distribution of food to widows. The Apostles solved it wisely — appointing seven Spirit-filled men to serve. Among them was Stephen, a man full of faith and power. The result was remarkable:
Acts 6:7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
The Cost of the Gospel & The Gospel on the Move
Stephen’s powerful sermon and martyrdom, Philip in Samaria, Simon the Sorcerer, and the Ethiopian Eunuch. The Gospel breaks beyond Jerusalem.
Acts 7–8 Summary
Stephen, one of the seven deacons, stood before the Sanhedrin and delivered one of the most powerful sermons in the entire New Testament. He walked them through Israel’s history — Abraham, Joseph, Moses, the tabernacle — showing that God was always moving and Israel was always resisting. His conclusion was piercing: this generation had rejected the Just One, Jesus Christ.
Acts 7:51
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
The council rushed upon him. Stephen, full of the Holy Ghost, saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. As they stoned him, his final words were forgiveness for his killers. He became the first martyr of the church, and a young man named Saul watched and approved.
In Acts 8, the persecution scattered the church — and the Gospel went with them. Philip went to Samaria, cast out devils, and baptized believers in Jesus’ name. Peter and John came and prayed for them to receive the Holy Ghost. Then the Spirit led Philip into the desert where he met one man — an Ethiopian official — who was reading Isaiah 53. Philip preached Jesus. They came to water. The man was baptized and went on his way rejoicing, carrying the Gospel to Africa.
Grace Has No Boundaries
Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus and Peter’s visit to the first Gentile household. God’s reach knows no limit.
The Church Under Fire
The Gospel spreads to Antioch, Herod’s persecution, Peter’s miraculous deliverance from prison, and the church that prayed without ceasing.
Monthly Gathering — In Person & Zoom
Once a month we come together to summarize and celebrate what we have studied. Your Apostle will teach from the lesson and open the floor for Q&A. Local members join at The Empowerment Center. Hybrid members across Orlando, Atlanta, the Carolinas, Michigan, and Brazil join via Zoom. Watch your text message for the date, time, and Zoom link.
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