The first fourteen verses of chapter one constitute an introduction to the book of Acts, giving us the key to the book. The book of Acts tells us how this happened, and why this change occurred. In the book of Romans we find an apostle who is not even mentioned in the Gospels, and who was not one of the twelve, writing to a band of Christians in the capital city of Rome, talking about going to the ends of the earth. At the end of the Gospels we find a handful of Jews gathered in Jerusalem talking about a kingdom to come to Israel. We could never understand the New Testament if we did not have the book of Acts, for it fills the gap that would exist between the Gospels and the book of Romans, which follows. It is a record of power exercised in the midst of persecution an account of life and health pouring from a living Christ into a sick society through the channel of obscure men and women, very much like you and me. There is intense conflict throughout the book, but a conflict met by a ringing confidence that is wonderful to see. Through the centuries Christians have shortened this title and called it simply, 'The Acts.' I like that better for this is the book of action, revealing how God is at work through Christians. James, John, Peter, and Paul are the only ones who appear in any prominence. The full name of it is, 'The Acts Of The Apostles,' but there are not many apostles mentioned in it. The book of Acts is the action book of the New Testament, and it constitutes therefore one of the most exciting books of the Bible.

Acts 1 1 20