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Drop a pebble into a pond and watch. There's one small splash, then rings that spread out wider and wider until they reach the edges.
After Jesus rose from the dead, he had about a dozen close followers in one small city. Today, about a third of the world calls themselves Christians. How did that happen? The book of Acts tells us. This is part 5 of the Bible's big story: The Church (its symbol is a flame). And here's something special about part 5: it's the part of the story we are living in right now.
What you'll learn
- How Jesus' last words in Acts 1:8 work like a map of the whole book of Acts
- What happened at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came
- How the good news spread from Jerusalem all the way to us
Jesus' last words
Acts is part two of a story written by Luke. His Gospel tells what Jesus began to do. Acts tells what Jesus kept on doing through his Spirit and his people.
At the start of Acts, Jesus returns to heaven. This is called the ascension. Two angels promise that he will come back in the same way (Acts 1:11). Just before he goes, Jesus gives his followers their job:
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
These words are like a map of the whole book of Acts. The good news spreads out in three ripples:
| Ripple | Where | Chapters of Acts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jerusalem | Acts 1–7 |
| 2 | Judea and Samaria | Acts 8–12 |
| 3 | The ends of the earth | Acts 13–28 (all the way to Rome) |
Pentecost: the Spirit comes
A few weeks later, Jerusalem is packed with Jewish visitors from many nations for a festival called Pentecost. Jesus' followers are gathered together when suddenly there's a sound like a rushing wind, and what looks like flames rests on each of them. The Holy Spirit has come, just as Jesus promised. (That's why the Church's symbol is a flame.)
The disciples start speaking in other languages, and the visitors are amazed: each one hears about God's great works in their own language.
Here's a link back to Genesis. At the tower of Babel (Genesis 11), God scattered people by confusing their languages. At Pentecost, God brings people together by speaking every language. The blessing for every family on earth, promised to Abraham, is starting to come true.
Peter's big speech
Then Peter stands up in front of thousands of people. Remember, this is the same Peter who, just weeks before, was so scared that he denied knowing Jesus three times. Now he speaks boldly:
"Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!" (Acts 2:36)
The people are cut to the heart and ask what they should do. Peter answers:
"Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’" (Acts 2:38)
Notice that Peter's message is the same as Jesus' message in Mark 1:15: turn back to God and trust Jesus. About 3,000 people respond that day (Acts 2:41).
The first church
What did the first Christians do together? Acts 2:42–47 tells us. They:
- learned from the apostles' teaching
- shared life and meals together
- prayed
- shared what they owned with anyone in need
- praised God
The Church isn't a building. It's people: people who follow Jesus together.
The ripples reach us
One of the most surprising people in Acts is Saul. He attacked Christians, until he met the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). He became known as Paul, travelled all over the Roman world starting churches, and wrote many of the letters in the New Testament.
Over the centuries, the ripples kept spreading: across the Roman Empire, then to Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, and eventually to Australia. Every Christian today heard about Jesus because someone told them, who heard from someone else, in a chain going all the way back to Acts 2.
Key words
- Acts: the book that tells how the good news about Jesus spread after he rose.
- Ascension: when Jesus returned to heaven.
- Holy Spirit: God himself, who came to live with Jesus' followers and give them power.
- Pentecost: the festival when the Holy Spirit came (Acts 2).
- Witness: someone who tells what they have seen and know.
- Church: the people who follow Jesus, all over the world.
How this points to Jesus
The Church is all about Jesus. The Spirit comes because Jesus sent him. The message is all about who Jesus is and what he did. And the promise God made to Abraham, that all families on earth would be blessed, is coming true as people from every nation hear about Jesus.
Think about it
What changed Peter from someone who hid to someone who spoke up?Show answer
He had seen Jesus risen from the dead, and he had received the Holy Spirit, who gave him the power and courage to be a witness.
Why does it matter that people at Pentecost heard the good news in their own language?Show answer
It shows the good news is for every nation and culture, not just one group. It reverses the scattering at Babel and starts to fulfil God's promise to bless all families through Abraham.
Which part of the Bible's big story are we living in now?Show answer
Part 5, the Church. We live between Jesus rising and Jesus returning, while the good news is still spreading.
Take it further
Think about where you first heard about Jesus, or who first told you about him. Every person gets to decide for themselves how they respond to the story, and everyone is invited to explore it. Your worksheet helps you map the ripples of Acts 1:8 and explore Pentecost.
If you'd like to, you could pray: God, thank you for the people who passed on the good news about Jesus, all the way from Acts to today. Help me to understand it, and give me courage like Peter. Amen.