"In my first book [the Gospel of Luke] I told you, most excellent Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God."

I am persuaded that Jesus spent this prolonged time with them all so that they would be utterly convinced that he had risen from the dead, and that all their sins and failings – including their abandonment of him in his hour of need – had been utterly forgiven and wiped clean. Through repentance, it would in no way disqualify them from the task ahead. Their life-long imperfections would not rule them out. This is all pure love and grace.

I personally also believe that Peter's restoration and transformation had already occurred before the Spirit was poured.  This took place through his encounter with Jesus recorded in John 21, and his 40 days with him after the resurrection when he saw many convincing proofs both that Jesus was alive and that he was totally forgiven. The Spirit's coming brought power.

"On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: 'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit … You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses [telling people about me everywhere] in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'"

John Stott writes: "The contrasting parallel Luke draws between his Gospel and the Book of Acts is not between Christ and his Church, but between two stages of the ministry of Christ. (1.) Jesus' ministry on earth – exercised personally, publically and powerfully in word and deed – and (2.) his ministry from heaven – exercised through the Holy Spirit – initially by the apostles and the early church, but from then on by all true believers until the Second Coming."

The great commission includes the words: "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age". And Peter was quick to say, after the healing of the man lame from birth in Acts 3:12-19, "People of Israel, what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? It is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this … Now repent … and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away".

The priority in Acts is always to proclaim the gospel of Jesus. The angel said to the apostles he had miraculously released from prison: "Go to the Temple and tell the people the full message of this new life" (5:20).

Angels cannot do it. Only frail, flawed, human beings who are works-in-progress can lead people to Christ! Our progress in godliness cannot do it. But our faith in Jesus can! One plants, another waters, but only God can save. Our calling is to continue the works and words of Jesus, but it is imperative that we do so as he did: with genuine love, respect, kindness, compassion and grace, and without a trace of condemnation, judgement or criticism.

A dear friend emailed me recently: "I’m passionate about building relationships with non-Christians, which takes time and energy, often leaving me less available to my Christian friends and activities. I believe that it’s only ongoing loving acceptance of people, whether they accept Christ or not, that is powerful. Until someone 'knows you care, they don’t care what or who you know'. As the wife of a not-yet Christian, I’m very sensitive to the person who appears not to want to know and befriend my precious husband, but just to get their message across and leave."

A non-Christian husband, whose Christian wife became seriously ill, once said to me that it became obvious to him that some of her church friends visited out of love and genuine concern, whereas others were clearly only interested in gaining brownie points. It became a stumbling block to him.