Acts 1

I like Acts because it's the action book of the New Testament. Lots of stories as well as good doctrine. From this point on, we learn not only how courageous the apostles are, but how intelligent too. These were not naive, simple minded men. These were men who could hold their own with kings, emperors and the most intelligent minds of the time. Roman and Greek intelligence was at it's height and these men were not afraid to go right to the top. We'll see Paul take on the greatest of Rome's philosophers and teachers.

In Acts 1 we learn the following:

1. Jesus was with the apostles and trained them for 40 days after his resurrection.

2. He tells them they will have the power of the Holy Ghost to witness to all of the earth concerning the Savior. They literally went to all of the known earth after that.

3. The apostles see the Savior ascend into heaven from the Mount of Olives and two angels testify that he will return to the earth in the same manner. He did when he appeared to Joseph Smith. After he ascends into heaven, he continues to lead the church by revelation to the apostles.

4. We see Peter assume leadership of the church.

5. Judas committed suicide. The accounts differ. Both say he went to the potter's field. Then says that he hanged himself, the other says that his bowels burst when he fell. It could have been a combination of both.

6. 120 people gather together including the 12 and Mary the Savior's mother. The apostles choose Matthias by revelation to replace Judas as an apostle.