How the Acts of the Apostles Begins - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:1-3

How the Acts of the Apostles Begins
It is apparent from this introduction that Acts might well be titled Second Luke or Luke, Volume 2. Its author says here that the Gospel of Luke was about "all that Jesus began both to do and teach." It concluded with the Lord being parted from the disciples and carried up into heaven, and they worshiping Him and returning to Jerusalem with great joy, and being continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Acts begins by giving us additional details about these concluding words in Luke.

The Book of Acts, like the Gospel of Luke, is addressed to Theophilus, but here he is no longer called "most excellent." Had he been deprived of this title since becoming a Christian? Or had he given it up because the Lord had told His followers that they were all brethren? Either answer is possible.

Acts 1 shows us the Lord brushing aside the apostles' Jewish hope to see the Kingdom set up in power. Instead He makes them His witnesses in a world that is still against Him. "Witnesses of His resurrection" is what they often say they are in this Book. We see the apostles and other followers of the Lord Jesus praying together with one accord, something we never see in the Gospels. Also, while waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit to empower them for the new life ahead of them, they act on the Scripture, choosing a replacement for Judas. This Book goes on to show the Holy Spirit's mighty working through the apostles!

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.