In Acts 2:22-47, the Church is born through Peter's witness to Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit. The result is a transformed community devoted to the Apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer.

In Acts 2:1-21, the Church is born in fire and Spirit at the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, and Peter takes his stand to speak to the multi-cultural assembly of Jews and seekers who gather at the sight.

In Acts 1:12-26, we consider how the small community of believers prepared themselves for the coming of the Holy Spirit. We also identify the overall structure of the book.

In Acts 1:1-11, Luke records Jesus commissioning the apostles and ascending into heaven, emphasizing the two major themes of Witness and Power in the Holy Spirit.

In John 21, the epilogue of the Gospel, John directs our attention to the journey of faith, highlighting the restoration of Peter and the commission Jesus gives every believer, "Follow me."

In John 20, the responses of believers to the empty tomb and news of Jesus raised from the dead suggest principles of faith in line with the two great themes of John's Gospel.

In John 19:17-42, Jesus reverses the shame of the cross to magnify the glory of his name, providing for us not only forgiveness but also a new status of honor free from guilt and shame.

In John 18:28-19:16, the trial of Jesus turns into an honor/shame struggle between the Roman governor and Jewish officials who both misunderstand who is truly in control of events.

In John 18:1-27, we begin the story of Jesus' final hour with John's depiction of his arrest and first trial. Adding to the witness of the other Gospels, John reminds us that Jesus may go to the cross meekly, but he is absolutely not weak. Jesus maintains control throughout.

In John 17:20-26, Jesus prays for us, for all who will believe because of the apostles' witness, and as he prays, Jesus describes his vision for unity and witness in Christian communities based on the truth of God's name and reality of abiding in him.