The Portico, or Porch of Solomon, cedar roofed, 27 feet high, with 162 columns set in 3 rows, is the site of Peter’s second sermon. Peter lays out the factual events of what happened to Jesus—His crucifixion and resurrection. Peter wants his hearers to know that it was this Jesus who had healed the lame man.

On their way into the temple for the evening sacrifice at 3 p.m., Peter and John encounter a man lame from birth asking for alms. Without money, they give what they have, and in the name of Jesus the man is healed. All who witnessed the event were amazed.

Acts 2:42 describes how the early Church members conducted themselves and is one of the most important statements in the Bible. They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching (background to the four gospels), fellowship, breaking of the bread, and the prayers. The true Christian Church continues in this tradition.

In the first part of the sermon Peter quoted Old Testament prophets who spoke of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Now he turns his attention to Jesus, His death on the cross, and His resurrection.

This is not only the Apostle Peter’s first sermon, it is the first sermon ever preached by a follower of Jesus. A crowd had gathered, and this likely takes place at Solomon’s Porch in the temple, where Peter stands and delivers.

The disciples did as Jesus had instructed them and waited in Jerusalem. Ten days after Jesus’ ascension, the disciples were gathered together, and for the first time in history the Holy Spirit was poured out on people in power.

Jesus had originally selected 12 men to be in His “School of Disciples.” With Judas the betrayer gone, the number of disciples was only 11.  It seemed proper to chose someone to replace Judas by lot, and Matthias, one who had been with them from the beginning, was selected. We never hear another word about him in the New Testament.

Forty days after the Crucifixion and ten days prior to the Day of Pentecost, Jesus meets with His disciples for the last time and instructs them to wait for the Promise of the Father, the coming of the Holy Spirit, then departs from them in clouds of glory.

Kent continues to introduce Luke's Book of Acts: Whose acts? the apostles? the Holy Spirit? Jesus? the Church? and other pertinent issues.

Who wrote the Book of Acts in the New Testament? Why? To whom? When? Kent Philpott asks and answers these and other pertinent questions. Stay tuned for Acts 002, Introduction, Part 2. This series will likely continue for two years.