God is not distant from us. He desires to dwell with us here on earth. And when we are with God, all is well. That’s why the psalmist declares that the one thing he asks of the Lord is to always be in God’s house. And because God is completely trustworthy, the psalmist is confident that his prayer will be granted.

With church growth come increased ministry needs. The ministry of prayer and preaching is paramount to a church’s life. It does not detract from the need to minister to physical needs, nor vice versa. In fact, diaconal ministry is essential to maintain church unity, and to support the pastoral ministry of word and prayer.

As the apostles gave evidence of the resurrection of Jesus, the world began to take notice. The general public thought highly of them, but Israel’s elite became jealous and wanted to have them eliminated. Yet they could only wait to see if the apostle’s power and plan would last or eventually run out of steam.

The early church was beginning to earn respect. The apostles were giving powerful witness to the resurrection of Jesus, and God’s grace was evident in the way the members took care of each other like family. But when Ananias and Sapphira attempted to undermine the sacredness of the church, they paid for it with their lives.

Sufferers need the sovereignty of God. He does wonders. His hand worked out salvation through the evil works of sinful men. His people can come to him with praise and petitions to proclaim his name with all boldness. And God answers!

After healing a disabled man, Peter and John used the opportunity to proclaim Jesus and his resurrection. The Jewish authorities were greatly annoyed at this and took them into custody. Followers of Jesus today are inspired by the boldness of Peter and John, who, in the face of hostile threats, speak truth to power and summon everyone to trust in the only one who has the authority to save the world.

When Peter and John brought healing to a disabled man who was begging for money at the gate of the temple, the crowd was astonished. Peter was eager to explain that this had become possible because God had glorified his servant Jesus. Peter then urged his audience to believe in Jesus themselves and so to become participants in the blessings of the future age that had already broken in on the present age.

Peter’s proclamation of Jesus at Pentecost resulted in many people becoming convicted of their rejection of him. Peter urged them to repent and to be baptized in his name and about three thousand people did so. The church of Jesus was born and brought hope day by day to everyone around them.

After claiming that what was happening at Pentecost was the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, Peter began to show how Jesus of Nazareth was the Lord who would save all who called upon his name. Peter spoke of how Jesus was rejected and crucified but argued that this was all part of the divine plan. By raising Jesus from the dead, Jesus offers the hope of life to everyone whose destiny could otherwise only be death. And by exalting Jesus to God’s right hand, the ultimate triumph of this crucified and risen Jesus is absolutely certain.

When God’s Spirit came upon the followers of Jesus on the day of Pentecost, they began to speak in the languages of the people who were gathered in Jerusalem for the annual festival. It was an astonishing moment. Some of the people wondered what it could mean while others mockingly dismissed it. Peter pointed to an ancient prophecy from Joel to explain that God’s great promise to Israel was now being fulfilled and the day everyone had been waiting for had finally arrived.