What a whirlwind of a trip through the book of Acts! It begins with the ascendant Jesus promising "power" 1:1-8  and ends with preaching in Rome itself "with complete boldness and without restriction" Acts 28:31!

What I learned...

1. About God: He fulfills His promises! Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come with power and the disciples would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (that is to the nations or to the Gentiles). Acts ends with the promise completely fulfilled.

2. NT Christianity: Everyone knew about "this sect, the Way." And all the Christians were very tightly connected across the various churches. As he traveled along the Mediterranean Sea to Rome, Paul stayed with disicples in Caesarea (near Jerusalem), Sidon (north of Galilee), Puteoli (near Naples), the Forum of Appias (closer to Rome), the Three Taverns (closer still), and Rome. I love that I can go almost anywhere and find instant friendship through the fellowship of disciples.

3. DWIS (Do What It Says): "He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ — with all boldness and without hinderance!" Acts 28:31. There is NO escaping this conviction from looking at the church in New Testament. I really needed this study, as I really need to get back on the edge of living by faith in world that won't usually appreciate any of us proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about Jesus with ALL boldness. Here I go. Please pray for me.