Day 320 (Acts 1-3) - Year 7

Summary of Day 320 (Acts 1-3) - Year 7

by Tara-Leigh Cobble

10m•November 16, 2025
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Overview of Day 320 (Acts 1–3) — Bible Recap with Tara‑Leigh Cobble

This episode summarizes Acts 1–3 (Year 7 reading). Tara‑Leigh reviews Luke’s authorial intent, explains the transition from Jesus’ ministry to the Spirit‑empowered church, and walks through the ascension, Pentecost (the coming of the Holy Spirit), the first big harvest (3,000 baptisms), and the apostles’ early ministry (including the healing of the lame man). She closes with personal reflection on God’s surprising ways and a brief plug for The Bible Recap study resources.

Key takeaways

  • Acts is a continuation of Luke (could be thought of as “Luke 2”): it shows how the Holy Spirit empowers the early church to take the gospel to all nations.
  • Jesus remained on earth 40 days after the resurrection, instructed the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit, and then ascended from the Mount of Olives (the same place he’ll return to).
  • The mission pattern Jesus gives — Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth — moves from local to global (think city → region → nation → world).
  • Pentecost: the Holy Spirit arrives with wind and “divided tongues as of fire,” enabling the apostles to be understood in many human languages — a reversal of Babel and a sign that God is undoing language division so the gospel can spread.
  • Peter preaches, cites Joel and Old Testament passages, calls people to repentance, and about 3,000 people are baptized that day (mass baptisms possible because of many mikvahs near the temple).
  • Early church life: teaching, fellowship, prayer, shared meals, generosity, and ongoing signs and wonders.
  • Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple gate, and Peter again preaches using Scripture—showing the apostles’ reliance on and knowledge of Scripture for proclamation.

Chapter-by-chapter summary

Acts 1

  • Luke (a physician, likely writing to Gentile Theophilus) continues his narrative of Jesus’ ministry.
  • Jesus spends 40 days teaching post‑resurrection, instructs the apostles to stay in Jerusalem for the promised Spirit.
  • Disciples still expect a political overthrow; Jesus reframes the focus toward the coming Spirit and global witness.
  • Ascension from the Mount of Olives; angels indicate Jesus will return the same way.
  • The apostles return to the upper room (a center for prayer with Jesus’ followers including women and his family).
  • Matthias is chosen by prayer and lot to replace Judas Iscariot.

Acts 2

  • Pentecost: the Holy Spirit arrives with a roaring wind and tongues of fire.
  • “Divided tongues” recalls Babel — now God reverses division by enabling understanding across languages.
  • The Spirit gives the apostles the ability to speak so that devout Jews from many nations hear the gospel in their own language.
  • Peter’s sermon: cites Joel, explains Jesus’ death and resurrection, calls for repentance.
  • About 3,000 people are baptized that day; the early church grows and lives communally.

Acts 3

  • Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple gate (he expected alms, got healing).
  • The miracle becomes a platform for Peter to preach again, heavily referencing Scripture and showing his study and use of the Old Testament.

Themes & theological points

  • Continuity between Luke and Acts: Jesus’ mission continues through the Spirit.
  • The Holy Spirit inaugurates a new phase — indwelling and empowering believers (distinct from the prior era).
  • Reversal of Babel: Pentecost undoes language division to advance mission and unity.
  • Scripture as central: apostles consistently use the Old Testament to interpret Jesus’ person and work.
  • Community and witness go hand in hand: proclamation, signs, baptism, worship, and communal life characterize the early church.

Notable insights & memorable lines

  • “Acts could have been called Luke 2.” — emphasizes continuity.
  • Pentecost as “God himself was the original Google Translate.” — highlights the miraculous reversal of Babel.
  • Speaking in tongues here = speaking intelligible human languages to real listeners (not necessarily ecstatic speech).
  • Host reflection: God’s ways often look wildly different from our expectations — “He gives us a puzzle piece and we use it to stabilize a wobbly table leg.”

Practical applications / reflection questions

  • Where am I expecting God to act in predictable ways, and how might God surprise me?
  • How is the Holy Spirit empowering me personally to witness or serve?
  • In what ways can I participate in communal rhythms that marked the early church (teaching, fellowship, prayer, shared life)?
  • Consider studying how the Old Testament is used in Acts to preach Jesus — what does that teach about reading Scripture?

Resources mentioned

  • The Bible Recap daily journal (for tracking).
  • Daily study guide (about 5 questions/day) — shows Tara‑Leigh’s study method.
  • Weekly discussion guide (about 10 questions/week) — good for groups.
  • All are available at thebiblerecap.com or via the show notes.

Quick facts & visuals worth remembering

  • 40 days between resurrection and ascension.
  • Ascension from the Mount of Olives — same place tied to Old Testament prophecy and Jesus’ return.
  • Pentecost: wind + tongues of fire; foreigners hear the gospel in their own languages.
  • ~3,000 baptized in one day (facilitated by many mikvahs on the southern temple steps).
  • Matthias chosen by lot to replace Judas.

If you want to dive deeper from this episode: read Acts 1–3 slowly, note Old Testament references Peter uses, and reflect on how the Spirit’s arrival reshapes the church’s mission and identity.