The Book of Acts is the natural out-flow of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). It is essentially the fifth book of the New Testament "Pentateuch" ! Although Acts is not considered a "gospel," it is an expansion of them; it is supplementary to them. It is the record of the first 40 years of the resurrected Christ's work on Earth through His Spirit using His Apostles and other members of His Church body. Acts presents for us today a pattern/example for Christian enthusiasm, testimony, discipleship, mission-work, and church planting. You will learn what made the Early Church so strong and how those First Century believers made such speedy headway into the pagan culture of that time. They encountered some intense hatred and persecutions, yet the Gospel went forth like a blazing forest fire, spreading from Jerusalem in obscure Israel all the way to Rome, the capital of the vast and powerful Roman Empire. Particularly interesting in this in depth, expositional study of chapters 1 to 8 are Katherine Caldwell's commentary on the Lord's Ascension, the "birth" of the Church on Pentecost (especially as it relates to the "birth" of the Law and Judaism on the same holy day -- aka "Feast of Weeks" or "Shavuot"), her exposition of Peter's first two very fruitful sermons, and the 10 fantastic study-chapters on the ministry, message, and martyrdom of Stephen. There are 26 lessons (chapters) that each include "Discussion Questions" for group studies.