Acts - An Expositional Thrill Ride by the Hampton Roads Church Hampton Roads Church

Luke begins his second volume on Jesus with an affirmation of the convincing proof that Jesus rose! Thus, His disciples rose up to proclaim a mind-blowing repentance about the new king to all the world. In other words, Jesus Woke…So Get Woke. Acts 1:1-3. Luke 24:45-47

Eight important observations and implications of the Ascension of Jesus

The eleven Apostles who gathered at Jesus' ascension are mentioned by name by Luke as they pray together before launching Jesus' world mission. We know a lot about Paul, but whatever happened to Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), Judas (son of James), Judas (Iscariot), and Matthias? Did they go and make disciples of all nations? Did they teach them to "obey everything they were commanded"?

Pentecost meant so many things to the Jews. Here in Acts 2, the feast is co-opted by the Spirit to celebrate the clarity and security of Grace. Jesus offers a double cure: freedom from slavery to sin (repentance) and freedom from guilt & punishment of sin (forgiveness). Moreover, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and fellowship.

This sermon takes a bit of an excursus to examine the Sinners Prayer, Altar Calls, and Biblical Baptism

The first sermon of the Church inaugurated and constituted an approach that guided the disciples throughout much of the Book of Acts. The sermon emphasized Jesus, His death, His resurrection, His ascendency, His gift of the Spirit, His gift of Life. 

The fledgling church famously devoted themselves to the Apostles's teachings, to the fellowship, the breaking of bread and to prayer, as they celebrated many wonders and attesting signs performed by the apostles. One of those wonders is specified with the healing of the man born lame who rises to leap like a deer in praise of Jesus the Messiah. This devotion that undergirds all these events is no fuzzy sentiment. Devotion is discipline fueled by gratitude, diligence ignited by wonder, and duty bursting forth into significance.