Acts 1-3 (June 8)

Acts 1-3 has the story of Pentecost in it - did you know TODAY is Pentecost.  Pretty cool.

Acts 1
In verse 3 it says "......appearing to them during 40 days....."  How many other "40 days" are there in the Bible and what do you think the significance is of 40 days?  First youth to answer that correctlyin a post wins a $5 Starbucks gift card.  The significance portion of the question will be based on what you think - consider what was happening during the other "40 days" moments in the Bible and then tell me what you think they have in common.

In verse 6 I think it is interesting that they still don't get it - they think Jesus was coming to do something political.  After everything they saw they STILL didn't get it.

Acts 2
Imagine, if you can, that this is the first time you have every heard this story.  How completely amazing and unbelievable.  And WE can have this same power.  A POWER so amazing can come and dwell in us - giving us a "different language" and such wisdom and anointing!  Peter stands and gives the most compelling sermon where 3000 came to believe in Jesus.  This is Peter!  The one that was so afraid that he denied Jesus 3 times just a few weeks earlier.  WOW.  Do you have this power living in you?  

Verse 42, I believe, gives us a snapshot of what the New Testament church should look like....devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers.  That's it in a nutshell!  And Vs 43 says that fear came on everyone, and many signs and wonders were being performed through the apostles.  I truly believe if we LIVED verse 42, then verse 43 would happen in our midst.

Acts 3
Immediately they begin healing those around them.  And Peter takes every opportunity to speak to the Jewish people about who Jesus is compared to the Old Testament.  He was always compelling them to believe, repent and be saved.