The book of Acts is a companion letter for the book of Luke. If you read Luke and Acts together, it would be like one story with two acts: What Jesus Did and Taught Us/How the Church Implemented Jesus’ Life and Teachings. This starts in Jerusalem and then moves to the rest of the world (as they knew it). A major character emerges first as a persecutor and then as an advocate/missionary. Many followers die. It is an interesting start to the movement that many of us now call home – the church.

Luke writes Acts and starts by giving us a brief review. Then he adds to the ascension narrative and gives us one very famous verse: “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (1:8).” This is also the progression the church moves through the land. Watch this roll out!

Then the disciples select Matthias to replace Judas and we find out that 120 people are in the upper room. Waiting. Watch what happens next!