Episode 270: Luke's sequel | The Book of Acts

Acts 1-3

I'm writing to you again, Theophilus

1 ^1-2 In my previous book, Theophilus, I recorded everything that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving commandments to his apostles through the Holy Ghost.

Jesus goes to heaven in a cloud

³ After his death, Jesus appeared to his apostles for forty days and showed many infallible proofs.

⁴ He commanded them, saying,

Don't leave Jerusalem.

⁵ In a few days you'll be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

⁶ They asked him, “Will you restore the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said,

The Father will decide when that will happen. It's not for you to know.

After the Holy Ghost comes upon you, you'll be witnesses in Judea, Samaria, and everywhere on earth.

⁹ After he said these things, Jesus was taken up in a cloud.

¹⁰ While they were looking up, two men dressed in white said to them,

¹¹ Why are you Galileans looking up?

Jesus will come in the same way you saw him go into heaven.

Matthias replaces Judas

¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.

¹³ Here's a list of those who were there: Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

¹⁴ Along with Jesus's brothers, a few women were also there, including his mother, Mary.

¹⁵ Peter stood up and spoke to about 120 disciples, saying,

¹⁶ The Holy Ghost inspired David to say something about Judas who betrayed Jesus.

¹⁸ After Judas bought a field with the money he received for betraying Jesus, he fell down and burst apart, causing all of his bowels to gush out.

²⁰ In the Psalms, David says, “Let his house be desolate, and let someone else take his job.”

²² So one of Jesus's followers must replace him.

²³ They picked two men: Joseph (called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus) and Matthias.

²⁴ And they said to God,

Since you know the hearts of all men, choose one of these two men to replace Judas.

²⁶ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias, who became the twelfth apostle.

The Holy Ghost comes (and makes believers speak in foreign languages)

2 ^1-2 On the day of Pentecost, everyone was gathered in one place when a mighty wind filled the house. ³ And split tongues of fire sat on each of them.

⁴ Everyone was filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit inspired them to do.

⁵ At the time there were Jews from all over the world in Jerusalem.

⁶ After hearing about the gathering, the Jews came and were amazed to hear each person speaking in their own language. ⁷ They said,

Aren't these all Galileans?

⁸ And yet we hear each of them speak in our own language.

¹² What's up with that?

¹³ But some said, “They've been drinking too much wine.”

Peter's speech (We're not drunk and you're a bunch of Christ killers)

¹⁴ Peter stood up and said,

¹⁵ We're not drunk. It's only the third hour of the day.

¹⁶ This was predicted by the prophet Joel when he said,

¹⁷ In the last days, God will pour out his spirit on everyone.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.

¹⁸ I'll show wonders in the sky and signs on the earth, including blood, fire, and smoke.

²⁰ The sun will darken, and the moon will turn into blood.

²¹ Whoever calls on God's name will be saved.

^22-23 Jesus of Nazareth did many signs, wonders, and miracles, but you crucified him.

²⁴ God has raised him from the dead and has made him that you crucified Lord and Christ.

3000 Jewish converts

³⁷ When they heard this, they said to Peter and the apostles, “What should we do?”

³⁸ Peter said,

Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Then you'll receive the Holy Ghost.

⁴¹ And that same day, 3000 people were baptized.

The first communists

⁴³ The apostles did many signs and wonders, and everyone was afraid of them.

⁴⁴ There was no private property. Everything was shared equally with everyone else.

⁴⁵ They sold all of their possessions, and gave the proceeds to everyone, according to their need.

Peter heals a lame man

3 ^1-2 Peter and John went into the temple and saw a man who was born lame.

³ The man saw them enter and asked them for money.

⁶ Peter said,

I don't have any money, but I'll give you what I have.

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.

⁷ Peter took him by the right hand and lifted him up.

⁸ And immediately he walked with them into the temple, leaping and praising God.

Peter blames the Jews for the death of Jesus

¹² Peter said to the people,

^13-14 You delivered Jesus to Pilate. He wanted to let him go, but you insisted that he be killed, letting a murderer go free.

¹⁵ You killed the Prince of life.