Acts 1

Acts is actually the second half of Luke's Gospel. In Acts, we see the early church in action. Some call Acts the Gospel of the Holy Spirit. Theophilus means "god-lover."

 

Acts starts with the resurrected Jesus being with the apostles for 40 days (there's that "40 days" again.) Jesus tells them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. The apostles probably are not sure what that means. The apostles still think that the Kingdom of Israel is to be restored.

 

Jesus tells them that the real power will come from the Holy Spirit, which they are about to receive from God. They should take that power and live our Jesus' legacy everywhere. Jesus then is taken up to heaven. He leaves so the power of the Holy Spirit works in his people (the Church) from then on. Jesus will come back again.

 

Matthias is chosen by lots (chance.) Peter begins to become a leader of the apostles. You will note that the list of apostles in the New Testament do not match exactly from book to book. 12 is a biblical number (12 tribes of Israel,) but there may have been more than 12 apostles. Praying becomes a way to prepare for decisions.