Social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok tend to show only the “ups” of our lives. That post of the beautiful vacation spot, that picture of the well-defined abs, or that post of the uplifting Bible verse, but rarely do we show the “downs” of our lives on social media. This reminds me of the book of Acts. Many are familiar with the “ups” in the book of Acts. The moment the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, the time Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, or the first time the word “Christian” was used to describe those who followed Jesus. However, like our lives, the story in Acts has its own share of “downs.” As we begin a teaching series on Acts, we will see that even in the midst of the ups and downs, the early church was empowered by the Holy Spirit and emboldened by Jesus’ promise to advance the Gospel. Now it’s our turn!