The Great Commission
Acts 1 - Level 2
Jesus’ Final Teachings
Acts 1:1-3 begins Luke’s second book, continuing his Gospel’s story for Theophilus, a Gentile leader. Luke wrote the Gospel about all Jesus “began to do and teach” until His ascension (Acts 1:1-2). After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the apostles for 40 days, proving He was alive with “many convincing proofs” (Acts 1:3). He taught them about God’s kingdom, preparing them to share the Gospel worldwide (Matthew 28:19). This time transformed the apostles, giving them the right message and confidence to start the church, as Jesus’ work continued through them, fulfilling God’s plan to reach all nations (Acts 1:8).
The Ascension Promise
In Acts 1:4-11, Jesus prepares the apostles for their mission before ascending to heaven. He tells them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit, promised by the Father, to empower them (Acts 1:4-5). The Spirit will give them power to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). When they ask if He’ll restore Israel’s kingdom now, Jesus says the timing is a mystery (Acts 1:6-7). He then ascends in a cloud, and angels promise His return (Acts 1:9-11), motivating the apostles to share the Gospel worldwide (Matthew 28:19).
Preparing for Pentecost
In Acts 1:12-26, the apostles obey Jesus’ command to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). Returning from the Mount of Olives, they gather in an upper room with about 120 believers, including Jesus’ mother and brothers, devoting themselves to prayer (Acts 1:12-15). Peter, now understanding the Old Testament, notes Judas’ betrayal fulfilled prophecy (Psalm 69:25) and his tragic suicide (Acts 1:16-19). To replace Judas, they select Matthias, an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry and resurrection, chosen by God through lots (Acts 1:20-26). This preparation ensures the 12 apostles are ready for Pentecost, when the Spirit will empower their mission (Acts 2:1-4)
The Spirit Drives the Story
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Themes - Acts 1
Prophecy Fulfilled
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Acceptance
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Opposition
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Pentecost and Church Formation
This diagram illustrates the dramatic events of Pentecost in Acts 2, beginning with three simultaneous divine manifestations: the sound of rushing wind, tongues of fire, and miraculous speaking in foreign languages.
These signs drew attention from Jewish pilgrims representing 15 different nations, setting the stage for Peter's powerful sermon, explaining these events through Old Testament prophecies, particularly Joel and David's writings. The crowd's response—"What shall we do?"—led to Peter's three-part command: repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit. The outcome was extraordinary: 3,000 people joined the church that day, establishing the pattern of daily worship, fellowship, and growth that would characterize the early Christian community. The diagram's flow illustrates how God's dramatic intervention led directly to the formation and empowerment of His church.