Acts 1
The dedication of the book (1-3) is the same as the Gospel of Luke (1:1-4) and can be called the continuing work of Jesus Christ through His apostles 1-2. Jesus gave them many proofs of His being alive and spoke to them much about the kingdom of God 3. Jesus promised them the gift of the Holy Spirit 4-5. The Holy Spirit would come upon them and live in them as the source of their power and ability to carry out the command of Christ to be His witnesses to the entire world, beginning with where they were 4-5,8. The question of the Kingdom being restored to Israel awaits a future day set by the Father 7. The context and answer to their question would indicate that the proclamation of the Gospel and the growth of the Church is not the restoring the kingdom that they were asking about. Note: God's plan for the Jewish people and nation is still a future event when He will bring them to faith in Christ, the Messiah. This will culminate and be realized at the second coming of Christ ! Jesus ascends to heaven and is now seated at the Father's right hand 9-10a, 2:33, and awaits the day set by the Father for His return 3:21. He will one day return both bodily and visibly according to the angels testimony 1:10b-11. As they wait upon the Lord in prayer a twelfth apostle is selected to replace Judas, who was the defector and died 12-20. This was part of the plan of God and revelation of the OT Scriptures 19-20. The qualifications for this role included being with Jesus and being a witness to His resurrection (ie. having seen Him alive after His passion, death, and burial) 21-22. Of the two mentioned, the Lord made His will known thorough the lot that fell to Matthias 23-26. Note: This method was bathed in prayer and dependence upon God. It was an acceptable  OT method of determining the will of God (Proverbs 16:33) and is not recorded as being used after the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Thus, he was numbered with the eleven 26b and was one of those who was filled with the Spirit and took his stand with Peter as He preached at Pentecost 2:1-4,14.

Acts 2
The Holy Spirit came upon and filled the believers who were gathered at Jerusalem at the feast of
Pentecost 1-4. The ability to speak in tongues came from the Holy Spirit 4, and gave glory to God 11. The crowd does not know what this means, so Peter takes the lead and explains the working of God through the Lord Jesus Christ 14-41. Jesus is the One whom they rejected and had crucified, but God raised Him from the dead 22-24. This was foretold by David 25-31, just as the coming of the Spirit was foretold by Joel 16-21. They too could receive the gift of the Holy Spirit if they would repent of sin and turn in faith to Christ 36-41. A picture of the church's activity is noted in 42-47. The Lord is the one who builds the church 41,47b. Note: Our role is to give witness to the Lord through His word, just as Peter did.

Acts 3
The lame man at the 'Beautiful Gate' is healed by the name of Jesus Christ 1-10. This becomes a point from which Peter again preaches Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen again 11-16.  The call is for the people to recognize their sins, repent, and believe on Christ for salvation 17-21. Again, Peter points the to the OT Scripture to say this was always part of God's plan 22-26. Note: Have you responded with humble repentance and in faith, called on Christ to save you ?

Acts 4
Peter and John are arrested 1-3. Many believed 4. They were then questioned by the religious leaders 5-7. Peter gives testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ as the only means and way of salvation 8-12. They are surprised at Peter's bold confidence 13-14. They order them not to teach any more in Jesus name, for they could not deny the miracle 15-22. Peter, at this point does not know if it is right to obey their authority 19-20. Upon release, they return to their fellow believers and pray for boldness 23-30. The Lord answers with power and the Spirit 31. In summary, a picture is again painted by Luke to show the actions of these believers 32-37. They sold and gave, and shared because the Gospel had impacted their lives. They held things in common, so as to meet the needs of others. Note: This was true among the believers for this time, yet this was not ideal, nor the end of God's role for them, for HE scattered the church, so as to proclaim His Word to others (8:1,4). 'Christian Communism' is not taught by this or other passages.

Acts 5
Ananias and Sapphira are believers who are also deceivers. They lie to the Holy Spirit, who is God by making it appear that they were giving everything when they actually held back a portion of their profit 1-11. The judgment of God falls on both of them, which is immediate death 5,10. While this may appear harsh, it shows the reality of honesty before God. He does not tolerate sin, especially among His own people. It should be noted that the text does not imply that they should have given it all, only that they practiced deception to make others think they had given all 4. The church continues as the Lord heals many through the Apostles 12-16. Note: The ministry of Jesus continues through His church. They are again arrested and put in jail,  but the Lord releases them by the hand of an angel 18-21. The leaders are puzzled 22-24. They find them again in the temple courts preaching Jesus 25-28. Peter's reply is that they must obey God in this matter and calls them to account before God 27-32. They want to kill them 33. Gamaliel gives them advise to leave them alone, for if they be of God, they (the leaders) can not stop them (the disciples of Jesus) 34-39. After being 'flogged' the disciples leave with rejoicing that they suffered for Jesus Name 40-41. They continue to daily teach and proclaim the message of Christ 42. Note: Am I, as a believer in Jesus, daily consumed with bearing witness to Christ ? Am I willing to suffer for His name ?