Some read Acts only as history. They say, "Wasn't it wonderful how the Spirit worked in New Testament times?" They believe, however, that we should not expect Him to work in the same manner today. Others, however, ask, "Why not today? Why can't the twenty-first century church receive the same Spirit in the same way and thus experience the same power, glory, and guidance as did the early church?" I believe that it can, and should.This "vocational commentary" is purposely oriented toward those actively involved in ministry. As we examine the ministries of the apostles and other believers in Acts, we will be asking the question, "How should their ministries impact and influence our ministries today?" In doing this, we hope to learn many valuable lessons about our own ministries and how we should conduct them. The goal of our study will be more than to simply gain knowledge about the early church. It will be to have the same spiritual experiences as did those first believers, and to put into practice in our own lives and ministries the same practices they implemented into theirs.