The Beginning of Acts

Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift 

my Father promised, which you have heard 

me speak about. For John baptized with 

water, but in a few days you will be baptized 

with the Holy Spirit.

                                                                        Acts 1:4 – 5

For some time now, I have been wanting to study the Book of Acts. I have had some friends that have studied it themselves, and have strongly suggested that I do the same. I have a wonderful commentary called, "Believers Bible Commentary", by William MacDonald. So it is with a NIV Bible and this commentary that I began to study this book.

The Book of Acts is a record, written by Luke, of the transition period between Judaism and the New Testament church. We will see the Holy Spirit form, empower, and expand the new church. It will show a new fellowship of Jews and Gentiles who will be one in Christ. According to J.B. Phillips,there is no comparable period of human history that has "any small body of ordinary people so moved the world that their enemies could say, with tears of rage in their eyes, that these men 'have turned the world upside down!'"


When I read this this morning, I got excited to delve into this book, and I hope that you feel the same way.

A couple of days ago, we had a comment regarding baptism and the necessity of immersion. If we look at Acts 1:4 – 5, we will see that Jesus is addressing this subject to his apostles. The commentary that I am using seems to stress the baptism of the Holy Spirit being more important, as the baptism with water is on the outside; the baptism that we received from the Holy Spirit is in our hearts. Since Luke has started the book of the beginning of the church with the baptism of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, to me, it shows how important this baptism is.  Our hearts are what God looks at.  This is the Promise of the Father; it is a gift from God, and when we accept this wonderful gift, we have Jesus in our hearts.


Thank you for following God's Grace, and God bless you all.