Reading Plan:
Acts 1:1-11, 2:1-13

Author: Amy Fontenot

Reading the first two chapters of Acts just makes me so excited to be a part of the Church! The Gospels tell us the good news of God’s plan for redemption through Jesus. The book of Acts shows us how God used empowered and equipped believers to begin spreading that good news to the ends of the earth. Jesus promised His followers that after He ascended to heaven, His Father would send the gift of the Holy Spirit. With that power, they would spread the good news of Jesus to Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Jesus’ promise was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit filled all the believers gathered at Pentecost. And through the power of the Holy Spirit, these believers immediately obeyed the Great Commission by speaking of the wonderful things that God had done in a way that everyone could understand. The Holy Spirit enabled these believers to share the gospel and make His Name known!

I encourage you to pause and read the rest of Acts 2. Peter stood up and spoke to the crowd, laying out the redemption story from the Israelites to Jesus. Acts 2:37-39 says:

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Three thousand people believed the wonderful news they heard and were baptized and added to the church that day! This didn’t happen because Peter was a talented speaker or educated scholar. People were changed for eternity because Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, obediently shared the gospel. The Holy Spirit empowered and equipped Peter and these believers to go and make disciples. The Holy Spirit that was promised in Acts 1 and given in Acts 2 is the same Holy Spirit that lives in believers today. God has equipped us to go and make disciples too. He isn’t checking our resumes and interviewing candidates to be a part of His Kingdom's work. If you are a believer, you have already been equipped and called to share what Jesus has done for you. Like Peter, we need to stand up and proclaim the Gospel wherever God has called us.


Reflection & Response:

• Where do you feel God is calling you to share His Good News? Maybe it’s at work, in your neighborhood, or even overseas?
• What steps can you take this week to begin sharing His Good News?

HAVE KIDS?

Family Application: The Church begins.

• Today we are in Acts. Acts is where the church first started. It is such an exciting part of the Bible to read.
  The church in Acts was good at inviting people to be a part of the church. The church grew because the people invited new people to be a part of the church. How do you feel when you invite someone to church?
• Even if it may be hard to invite someone to church, it is such a great thing to do. It could change someone’s life forever. Pray for one person to come to church with you this week.
• Prayer: God, you are perfect! Thank you for letting me be a part of your Church. Your Church is great. Thank you, Lord, for helping me invite people to church. God, help me tell the world about you. Amen.