Imagine being part of a mission that changes the world—one person at a time. That’s the story of Acts, where Jesus calls His followers to share His love with everyone, everywhere (Acts 1:8). The Great Commission is the heart of Acts, as the apostles take the Good News from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:19-20). They’re led by The Spirit who drives the story with power (Acts 2:1-4), fulfilling ancient Prophecies (Acts 2:16-21). Many start Welcoming the Gospel (Acts 2:41), despite Opposition (Acts 2:13). Join our exploration of Acts, chapter by chapter, and see how God’s plan of redemption includes you—called to share Jesus with the world - as the Book of Acts continues….today!
The Great Commission
The Spirit Drives the Story
Themes in Acts
Prophecy Fulfilled
Welcoming the Gospel
Opposition
Resources
Theme 1: The Great Commission
Jesus gave His followers a mission: share the Good News with the whole world (Matthew 28:19-20). In Acts 1:8, He told the apostles to be His witnesses, starting in Jerusalem and reaching the “ends of the earth.” This mission began at Pentecost, when 3,000 people believed (Acts 2:41), and spread to many nations (Acts 2:5-11). The Great Commission is the church’s calling to tell everyone about Jesus’ love and forgiveness, building God’s family across the globe, no matter the challenges they face (Acts 1:8).
Theme 2: The Spirit Drives the Story
The Holy Spirit powers the church’s mission in Acts. Jesus promised the Spirit would come to give the apostles strength to share the Gospel (Acts 1:4-8). At Pentecost, the Spirit arrived with wind and fire, filling the apostles to speak in new languages (Acts 2:1-4). The Spirit guided their preaching, led thousands to believe (Acts 2:41), and continued to direct the church’s growth (Acts 4:31). The Spirit’s work shows how God moves the story forward, empowering ordinary people to do amazing things for His kingdom (Acts 1:8).
Theme 3: Prophesy Fulfilled
God’s plan to save the world was promised in the Old Testament. Prophets like Isaiah and Joel spoke of a Savior who would die for sins (Isaiah 53:5) and a time when God’s Spirit would come to all people (Joel 2:28-32). These promises came true in Jesus—His birth, death, and resurrection matched every detail (Luke 24:44-46). In Acts, the apostles saw how the Old Testament pointed to Jesus and His church (Acts 1:16-20, 2:16-21), showing God’s plan was designed to include the Gentile world (Isaiah 49:6).
Theme 4: Welcoming the Gospel
When people heard the Gospel in Acts, many opened their hearts. At Pentecost, a diverse crowd from many nations was amazed to hear God’s message in their own languages (Acts 2:5-11). Some doubted, but 3,000 repented and were baptized after Peter’s sermon (Acts 2:37-41). This welcome of the Gospel shows how God’s love breaks through barriers—people of all backgrounds joined the church (Acts 2:47). It’s a picture of how the Good News invites everyone to trust Jesus and become part of His family.
Theme 5: Opposition
Opposition to Jesus, ignited during His ministry (John 11:47-53), continued relentlessly against the early church in Acts, challenging Christianity’s very existence—a struggle that persists today. From the outset, Jewish leaders resisted the apostles’ message, arresting Peter and John for preaching Christ’s resurrection (Acts 4:1-3) and stoning Stephen for his bold testimony (Acts 7:58-60). Roman authorities later joined, imprisoning Paul for spreading the gospel (Acts 16:19-24). Internally, the church faced threats like Ananias and Sapphira’s deceit (Acts 5:1-11), testing its unity. Yet, the Spirit sustained believers, turning opposition into opportunities for growth (Acts 8:1-4). This website traces a dual battle—external persecution and internal challenges—revealing how faith endured. Today, Christians face similar opposition, from cultural rejection to internal divisions, yet the Spirit’s power remains. Explore how Acts’ story equips us to stand firm in faith amid adversity.
Our Six Audiences
The Acts 2020 Project is crafted for a wide range of readers, each finding unique value in the Book of Acts. Here’s who we’re addressing and what you’ll discover:
Believers: Whether you are a mature Christian or a newcomer to the faith, as men and women who have accepted Christ you’ll grow closer to Jesus by seeing how the early church lived out their faith, inspiring you to share His love boldly today (Acts 2:42-47).
Pastors: We support you in preparing messages with practical insights and examples from Acts, helping you guide your congregation through the apostles’ mission and challenges (Acts 2:14-36).
Scholars: Theologians will find a deep dive into reliable research, with references and citations to support your books and papers, connecting Acts to Old Testament prophecies and history (Acts 1:16-20).
Students: As believers studying to become Pastors or Theologians, you’ll gain a strong foundation in Acts, blending accessible explanations with academic depth to prepare for your calling (Acts 1:3-8).
The Curious: If you’re not a Christian but interested in learning more, explore Acts to understand the early church’s story and why Jesus’ message still matters, inviting you to discover His love (Acts 2:5-11).
Apologetics: We address questions that arise in passages of Acts where non-Believers challenge the Gospels and our Christian faith, equipping you with answers to defend the truth of Jesus’ story (e.g., addressing mocking in Acts 2:13).
Dive into Acts with us, and find the perspective that speaks to you!