Brian Manning

In this comedy of events that takes place while trying to stop the Apostles preaching the Gospel we are reminded that the Gospel can't be stopped and so we should never stop proclaiming the Gospel.

Not church is perfect but that doesn't mean a church can't be great and know the power of God. In the examples given of Barnabas and Ananias and Sapphira we see how God can make a church great even though it's full of sinful people. A great church is filled with great grace, filled with great fear of God and has a great testimony.

There is power in the name of Jesus! Not simply in the saying of it but in believing. The name of Jesus is powerful because of what He has done - died, risen and reigning. Faith in His name brings forgiveness, refreshment and blessing.

This is what God calls a church to be. A church that passionately desires to know His Word and that is steadfastly committed to each other in fellowship and prayer.

A miracle happens on the day of Pentecost. A prophecy is fulfilled because Jesus is alive, a miracle which shows us that Jesus is Lord.

Before Jesus died He told His disciples it was better for them if He went away. What a puzzling statement – how can the world be better without Jesus in it? In fact, isn’t the promise of God from beginning that we’re aiming for a Kingdom in which Jesus reigns? We know the disciples were confused by this, still waiting for Kingdom right to moment Jesus leaves. Now, we’re about to find out what Jesus meant and realise He was right – for a time it is better that Jesus is gone.

In this time of waiting between the ascension of Christ and the arrival of the Spirit we learn some things about how God works. Waiting is a big part of the Christian life so in the waiting we are to be preparing.

These verses, especially Acts 1:8, are what Acts is all about. It is what Christianity is all about. Luke encourages us to go forward with purpose because the mission is great and our reward is coming.

Continuing from his Gospel Luke gives us the account of God's continuing work through the Church. He writes this to encourage and strengthen us in our confidence in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He starts by reminding us of what Jesus began, to believe what Jesus did and to hope in what Jesus will do.