Acts 1

Devotional by Garrett Hall

Read Acts 1

Acts 1

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The Ascension

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,
    and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“‘Let another take his office.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Devotional

The beginning of Acts parallels the conclusion of Luke’s Gospel. The Holy Spirit empowers the disciples so that they can rightly understand and obey Jesus’ teachings. We also see references to the Kingdom of God. We must remember that this is not an earthly political or military kingdom, but a gradual transformation of individual lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

A key verse in this passage is verse eight: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” This is a thematic statement for all of Acts. As you journey through the book of Acts over the next twenty-seven days, pay attention to how the gospel spreads. The Holy Spirit, who gives power to Christ’s Followers, has been eagerly awaited since John 14:16 when Jesus promised that a “Helper” would come. The disciples wondered when Jesus would come again (v. 6), but he challenged them to keep their focus on the witness of the gospel.

It is easy to get consumed with what is next in our lives or to attempt to discern when something might happen, but we must ask: Have we given our attention to what Jesus commanded us to? When we place our faith in Jesus as both Savior and Lord, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14). Thus, it is now the Holy Spirit that empowers our witness, as seen in verse eight.

What do we learn about the Holy Spirit in this passage?

93 thoughts on “Day One | The Book of Acts”

    2. I fail miserably almost daily because of ALL of the distractions. I desire to get out of Houston – but where I want to live, I can’t decide. I would like to move back to UT & be a part of my old – big church there. Over half are X-Mormons. 🙏🏻🇺🇸🙏🏼🌎🙏🏿

      1. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and help in living to share our faith with others always.

      2. We need to follow and do what is asked of us. Without God we are nothing. We can not do what is asked of us without God.

    4. We do not have to worry about what is happening, just believe and obey Gods word and direction to be a witness to the nation.

    5. We have the Holy Spirit within us so we should be bold and share with those that are lost.

    1. It is so easy to be consumed or busy with our lives and fail to seek what the Lord would have us do!

        1. Stay connected with God in prayer. He has given us the Holy Spirit who will guide and empower us to present the gospel.

    1. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit who will guide us and direct us when we ask for quidance! Praise God!

  5. Touch your humble servants during their quiet time. Speak to them through the word, may our hearts be filled, our thoughts focused, and may we be determined to share the good news.

  6. I pray we live our lives so others see Jesus in us and that we are ready, at any moment, to share what He’s done for us.

  9. Verse 7 also holds such strong meaning in understanding the importance of 8.
    It is so human to try to analyze, access, and control a situation that is ultimately in HIS control, and it is too easy to loose focus of our given task to be disciples and to witness to others…to allow the our power come from the Holy Spirit. I pray that I am to be a light of His message and that I do not stand in my own way to do that job.

    1. Dovetails with yesterday’s LG lesson. Waiting doesn’t mean idle… they were praying and were united as they waited for the power to carry out God’s command.

      1. Yes, Rebecca, I definitely thought of yesterday’s lesson while reading this. Such a good reminder to be praying while waiting, and also that we are not in control of when. That is God’s job.

  10. I PRAY that the HOLY SPIRIT will rain down on us so that we can be a light to point others to JESUS🙏🏾

  11. There is a price to be paid for the commission of sin. Sin is not a mistake. Sin comes from the heart before it is committed. Judas paid a horrible price for his sin and is paying that price even today. If we could only get a view of the horrors of hell, our lives would be quite different.

  12. I love the way this devo ends…I, too, am often tempted to try and figure out what’s ahead or when the next “big thing” is going to come along when the Lord is asking me “What did I ask you to do?” Excited to walk in obedience to the Lord as He reveals His plan to us each day during this reading plan.

  14. The anticipation of a Holy baptism ? I wonder how they endured that waiting… knowing something absolutely new was coming UPON them— the tiny number of believers who are waiting for “the POWER” of the Lord they served.
    I never want to take for granted that my Lord has given me His power to overcome sin and self. I pray that the Lord keeps my heart in holy anticipation of His Presence !

  15. Without the Holy Spirit, we are powerless to overcome temptation to sin. We are equally powerless to be an effective witness to the lost. Prayer must be an essential ingredient in our daily walk with Jesus so we can be empowered witnesses to His grace and forgiveness. I always look forward to Tuesday when I go to serve at the CMC. I never know who I will encounter as a friend to neighbors who come for food. My prayer is always that they will leave with the Bread of Life.

  16. Thank You, Lord, for Your precious Holy Spirit , Your gift of Your presence and power living in me – Your life loving and sharing Your love for others and Your truth. May all my life speak Your love and Your truth , the good news of the gospel

  17. This is a reminder that we are never alone. The Holy Spirit goes with me/us to guide through life’s maze. Acknowledging Him helps to remind me daily that He is with me.

  18. Deposit received.

    May I simply do the next right thing the Lord puts in my path to do!

  19. I’m asking God to pour out his Holy Spirit on his church to empower us for love and good works.

  20. Lord Jesus thank you for allowing me to witness what You are doing. Singing with a group of messianic Jews and hearing them praising You Jesus, filled my Spirit with such joy. Praising You Jesus and worshipping You Jesus as king of kings and Lord of Lords. Only the power of the Holy Spirit can do this as it was done so long ago. Thank you Jesus for the joy of our Salvation. And like the song says “The King is Coming”. Hallelujah Amen!

  21. In relationship to Christ’s calling on our lives, I appreciate, and am convicted by, His clarity.

  22. Learning to focus on the Holy Spirit as I read the word of God for direction and guidance. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we do as God wills for his glory and honor. Praise be to God, our Father.

  23. The Holy Spirit is alive and we need not be like the disciples and follow His will. I pray for our church to continue to focus on prayer and scripture to guide us. I pray for the global church to become sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

  25. I am thankful for this devotional and for our church body who is devoted to making mature disciples who follow hard after our Lord and Savior, King Jesus.

    I keep our leadership and our church body in prayer because it’s so easy to go through religious motions. Instead it’s the Love of God that transforms us and causes the light of Jesus to shine in the darkness of our world.

    The world will know Christ because of our love for one another through thick and thin. It’s this Love of God that leads mankind to repentance in a Savior who first loved us and have His life as a ransom in exchange for our individual penalty for sin now and forever.

    Thanks again for this devotional series!

  26. I am thankful the Lord for power through His Holy Spirit to be an effective witness to people I meet and to find direction in difficult times.

  27. Thank God for the holy Spirit. I know without doubt that if I stay focused on Him and practice patience in every situation it will guide me in the right direction.

  28. This is our reminder to stay focused on the Holy Spirit. I am excited for the next 27 days!

  29. Blessing comes with obedience. Just think of what they would have missed if they had not been willing to wait on the Holy Spirit. How many followers missed this blessing because they were out “doing” other stuff instead of being obedient? I think of my own life and how many times I tried to pursue my own path instead of waiting on the Holy Spirit to lead me.

  30. The Holy Spirit is sent as our Helper. God is true to His promises. He will never leave us or forsake us. I pray I am continually softened to listen to Him and to be a strong witness, guided and held by the Holy Spirit.

  31. My daily prayer is to be more Christ-like in all that I do. Holy Spirit, help me to hear you in every way and clearly direct me to do what you want me to do. Help me to become more intentional about spending time with You.

  32. I love he says “you will be my witnesses” and praying for the chance to share my testimony today

    1. Thank you Bo…. When He says “…you will be my witnesses…”, some may look upon this as a command… When I ponder this statement, I become overwhelmed/overjoyed that He chose to rescue me – how could I not readily volunteer to be at the front of the line to witness what Christ has done for me?

  34. It can be easy to allow ourselves to jump to the next thing or even let our excitement in even good things lead us to desire control. But this passage is a good reminder that we can only trust the Lord’s ways. We can be eager and ready but must release control and allow the spirit of God to move.

  35. Be still and know that I AM God.
    I put that verse in my mind and in my heart daily. I must slow down and listen to Him!

  36. Let us not be focused on our wants and desires, but be mindful of what really matters. Make each day matter.

  37. …embrace His Spirit each and every morning… His peace, comfort and power will prepare you for the day ahead….and intentionally look for the opportunities He has for you today. It could be planting, watering, harvesting or encouraging someone… Look for it, and with Jesus’ compassion, love on people like He did and does.

  38. Lord, help me to not ask so many questions about your plans (“not for you to now what the Father has fixed by his own authority”), and to simply yield and obey the Holy Spirit today, who will lead me (“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…”) to accomplish your plans and purposes today!

  39. Verse 16 says the “Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David”. The Holy Spirit has always been working and continues to speak to us today. Grateful for the ability to connect and listen to the Spirit on a daily basis.

  40. The reference to (EPH. 1:13-14) is a great biblical truth! Our lives/hearts are “Sealed” by the Holy Spirit. We must appropriate that truth & know that because of that Seal we can live victorious lives
    We must always remember that “the cross of Christ has rendered satan powerless in our lives.” (HEB. 2:14)

  41. We can do nothing that lasts without The Holy Spirit working in and through us! Make us hungry and disciplined. Do in us and in our church what can only be explained by You, Jesus.
    JW

  43. Verse 11…….This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. Our testimony, with the help of the Holy Spirit, is to share this message, one of hope and great expectation!

  44. “You will be my witness.”

    In other words, no matter what I do or say, I am His witness. Sometimes truthful. Sometimes a false witness. My question for me is…..”What conclusion will others come to regarding Christ because of my witness?”

  45. “All these with one accord, were devoting themselves to prayer…”. For almost 50 days, they were intentional, focused, deliberate, and desperate for the promise of the Holy Spirit .
    And then….

    May that always be me.

  46. I am so thankful that God sealed us with the Holy Spirit when we became a believer, and that we can never be unsealed. The Holy Spirit gives us a sense of God’s presence each day, and gives us guidance when we ask him for it.

  47. This daily devotional, together with the responses thereto, is a great way to start off the day by keeping our focus on the “witness of the gospel.”

  48. Trust that the Holy Spirit will guide us and empower as we follow His commands in seeking the lost. Allow Him to take our hearts and minds when witnessing to others. Do not be affected by the reaction from others but be fulfilled that you have followed His command. Allow Him to cultivate the seed you have planted in others. We ARE simply His messenger.

  49. Reminded how important it is for me to empty myself and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Nothing of eternal significance is possible or lasting without Him!

  50. Let us be a witness to the Word and share the word of God to others through the Holy Spirit.

  53. I have read things lately about how we get ahead of Gods Plan for us. My eyes are beginning to open and understand. We want something so bad we can’t wait. Human nature takes control and we start to depend on our own abilities and desires. We take a quicker path or approach towards a goal we want now. Don’t get ahead of God. Walk beside him and let the Holy Spirit be your guide. All we have to do is what Jesus commanded we do.

  54. I am so thankful for the promised Holy Spirit who convicts, guides, and encourages me!

  56. Remember the Holy spirit dwells within us and we should follow it as it leads us to do God’s will

  57. I am grateful that on this very special occasion of the promise of the Holy Spirit we are specifically told that both men and women were included.

  58. The promise of the Holy Spirit points me to God’s faithfulness to his children 🙏🏾

  59. The Holy Spirit lives in us and is our guide and helper in all things. We call ask the Holy Spirit to give us courage to witness to others and speak through us.

  60. The Holy Spirit is our helper. We become empowered to fulfill God’s will with the help of the Holy Spirit. We are not alone because the Holy Spirit is with us.

  62. I am excited to be a part of this devotional group. What a blessing to have the gift of the Holy Spirit, our Helper. I am here to learn and hopefully develop a closer walk with Jesus on a daily basis.

  63. This is a reminder to me that blessings are not always revealed in the physical realm. We must pray, trust and wait for God to reveal His plan for our circumstances. Lord, thank you for your guidance through the Holy Spirit.

  64. This is a reminder to sit quietly and wait for the Holy Spirit to reveal what God wants us to do next, to be obedient in service with gratitude . This also reminds us that without the Holy Spirit we are far from alive with our Heavenly Father.

  65. This devotional taught me that the Holy Spirit is always with me, guiding me, protecting me, transforming me, even when I don’t realize in the moment that I need it. Throughout my transformation, I am learning to trust God’s plan for me and my life, to live in the moment, and stop trying to figure out what that plan is. I am now and always will be a work in progress and I am thankful to have the Holy Spirit in my life.

  66. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit to help guide me as I strengthen my faith with God.

  67. It is the Holy Spirit that helps us to consume and understand The Word , as it guides us to be obedient

  68. It’s great to know when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we are Sealed by the Holy Spirit. I thank God for My Relationship with Jesus. He is my Elder Brother, My Lord and Savior, and my Best Friend. Praise God for Love us so. I’m truly Grateful for all he has done and doing in my Life. Amen . I also Thank God for my Brother Joseph Lakes for sharing this Daily Teaching with me.

  69. I want to thank CF for this and all the devotionals they provide us…I especially love reading the comments as doing this individually at home we may missed the meanings…these comments have the ability to make me feel as if we were in a class room with open discussions…these comments make the verses clearer.

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