Welcome to the first week of a study of Acts. We’re, reading and studying Acts, the Acts of the Apostles. The second letter Luke writes to his friend, Theophilus. The power and ability the Spirit brings to tell others about Jesus.
Before we begin, let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, this book is full of amazing things. So I ask You to lead me, reveal to me what to write, what to include, what to see and what to share. All for You, with You and for Your glory. Amen.
Please read Acts 1:1-2
Introduction
1 The first [a]account I made, Theophilus, was [a continuous report] about all the things that Jesus began to do and to [b]teach 2 until the day when He ascended to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given instruction to the apostles (special messengers) whom He had chosen.
That first account, we just finished, so if you have missed any of the Luke study you can find links to it all here.
If you’re with me here, reread the first two verses. It’s an amazing statement of purpose.
Please read Acts 1:3
3 To these [men] He also showed Himself alive after His suffering [in Gethsemane and on the cross], by [a series of] many infallible proofs and unquestionable demonstrations, appearing to them over a period of forty days and talking to them about the things concerning the kingdom of God.
At the end of Luke 24, the statement was made, this proof listed in this verse is why, it also says this at the end of Luke 24. They were [fully understanding that He lives and that He is the Son of God] because of what He did in verse 3: a series of infallible proofs and unquestionable demonstrations. Jesus is so good. I praise You, King Jesus.
Please read Acts 1:4-5
4 While being together and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Of which,” Hesaid, “you have heard Me speak. 5 For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized and empowered and united with the Holy Spirit, not long from now.”
Pentecost was only ten days after the Ascension of Jesus. That’s the day they were ‘empowered and united with the Holy Spirit’. May the Spirit within us today unite and empower us to be who and do what He wants us to do.
Please read Acts 1:6-8
6 So when they had come together, they asked Him repeatedly, “Lord, are You at this time reestablishing the kingdom and restoring it to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
Power and ability, the Spirt brings power and ability. For a purpose: to tell people about Him to the ends of the earth.
Please read Acts 1:9-11
The Ascension
9 And after He said these things, He was caught up as they looked on, and a cloud took Him up out of their sight. 10 While they were looking intently into the sky as He was going, two men in white clothing suddenly stood beside them, 11 who said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This [same] Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will return in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
He will return ‘in just the same way’ as they watched Him go into heaven. Oh the things that are going to happen. This is the best news though, His return. And what He will do for His people. Wonderful things. Saved forever and ever amen.
Please read Acts 1:12-14
The Upper Room
12 Then the disciples returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet (Olive Grove), which is near Jerusalem, [only] a Sabbath day’s journey (less than one mile) away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went upstairs to the upper room where they were staying [indefinitely]; that is, Peter, and John and [his brother] James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew (Nathanael) and Matthew, [c]James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas (Thaddaeus) the son of James. 14 All these with one mind and one purpose were continually devoting themselves to prayer, [waiting together] along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Verse 14 All these with _____ mind and _____ purpose were __________________ devoting themselves to ___________, [waiting together] along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Please read Acts 1:15-26
15 Now on one of these days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters (a gathering of about a hundred and twenty believers was there) and he said, 16 “Brothers and sisters, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the lips of David [king of Israel] about Judas [Iscariot], who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he (Judas) was counted among us and received his share [by divine allotment] in this ministry.” 18 (Now Judas Iscariot [d]acquired a piece of land [indirectly] with the [money paid him as a] reward for his treachery, and falling headlong, his body burst open in the middle and all his intestines poured out. 19 All the people in Jerusalem learned about this, so in their own dialect—Aramaic—they called the piece of land Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For in the book of Psalms it is written,
‘Let his place of residence become desolate,
And let there be no one to live in it’;
and [again],
‘Let another take his position as overseer.’
21 So of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus spent with us, 22 beginning with the baptism by John [at the outset of Jesus’ ministry] until the day when He was taken up from us—one of these men must become a witness with us [to testify] of His resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two men, Joseph, the one called Barsabbas (who was surnamed Justus), and Matthias. 24 They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know all hearts [their thoughts, motives, desires], show us which one of these two You have chosen 25 to occupy this ministry and apostleship which Judas left to go to his own place [of evil].” 26 And they [e]cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
You know, Lord, all hearts… He knows all your thoughts and motives and desires too. He is most pleased when you treasure Him above all else. And He loves you. Live loved.
Footnotes
- [a] Acts 1:1 Luke is referring to his gospel.
- [b] Acts 1:1 As the gospel tells us what Jesus began to do and teach, so Acts tells what He continued to do and teach by His Holy Spirit (F. F. Bruce).
- [c] Acts 1:13 Also known as James the Less or James the Younger. His mother, Mary (Gr Maria), may have been either a sister or sister-in-law of Mary (Gr Mariam), the mother of Jesus.
- [d] Acts 1:18 Peter means that the chief priests purchased the field in Judas’ name. He had returned to them with the money, and when they refused to accept it, he threw it into the temple sanctuary (Matt 27:3 ff). Afterwards they decided to buy the field for use as a burial ground for strangers. Peter goes on to say that Judas was disemboweled in a fall, while Matthew reports that Judas hanged himself (Matt 27:5). One explanation for the apparent discrepancy is that the rope or line that Judas was using broke, and the body fell in such a way as to be disemboweled (Matt 27:3 ff).
- [e] Acts 1:26 The custom of the Jews was to write the names on stones, place them in a container and shake it until one stone fell out.