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Post by Admin on Jan 6, 2019 12:22:58 GMT -6
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. From the English Standard Version
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Eric B
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Post by Eric B on Jan 13, 2019 2:23:55 GMT -6
I would like to approach this chapter from a topical standpoint, specifically with regard to making decisions.
In Acts 1:4-5 "Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Acts 1:15 "At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said,”
Acts 1:21-22 "Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us—beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
I have often considered Acts 1 to be rather interesting. On the one hand, a wonderful promise is about to be fulfilled and on the other, Peter moves to make a decision. Peter did not wait to see how the Lord might lead. In light of this I have thought the choosing of the 12th apostle seemed out of place. Those in the gathering did not consider that there might be a third choice (of God's own choosing). The fact that Matthias is not mentioned in the scripture again confirms this to me. It reminded me of Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
We do see that after the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that lots are no longer used to make decisions. Rather the instructions we have, are those that came later, in Romans 12:1-2 & Ephesians 5:17. The Holy Spirit is there to guide us and to lead us individually and corporately.
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JB
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Post by JB on Jan 13, 2019 5:07:11 GMT -6
The book of Acts is Volume 2 of Luke, the historian’s, account of the life of Christ and the formation of the early church. Luke picks up the story where his gospel account left off. And since his first words are in Acts 1:1-3 are: “1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God”
…it seems wise to review the ending of Luke’s gospel. Before that, I’d like point out two things: - Notice the word “began” in verse 1. The Gospel of Luke described only the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. His ministry continued after His crucifixion and resurrection through the early disciples, and it continues today through you and me.
- Luke addressed this writing to “Theophilus,” just as he did the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:3). We don’t know who Theophilus was, or even if Theophilus was a person The name is made up of 2 Greek words you’ll recognize: Theos, meaning “God” (think of the word “Theology,” which is the “study of God”, and Phileo, which means “love.” Theophilus may have been a person, but Luke might have just been addressing this to the “lovers of God.”
As a memory refresher, here is how the gospel of Luke ended.: - Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Joanna found Jesus’ grave open and empty. They were reminded that Jesus said He would be crucified and rise on the third day, so they recognized what had happened. They told The Eleven and some other disciples, but no one believed them except Peter, who ran to the tomb, found it contained nothing but burial cloths, and “went home marveling.” (Luke 24:1-23)
- Later, two disciples were travelling to Emmaus, which is near Jerusalem. They were discussing everything that had happened. Jesus joined them on the journey, but they didn’t recognize Him. They proceeded to unknowingly tell Jesus about His own crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus interpreted the scriptures and prophecies about this event as He walked alongside them, still unrecognized. (Luke 24:14-27)
- The disciples arrived at where they were going. It was the end of the day, so they invited this incognito Jesus to stay with them, which He accepted. They sat down at the dinner table. Jesus took the bread, broke it, blessed it, gave it to them, and suddenly they recognized Jesus. At that point, Jesus vanished. (Luke 24:28-32)
- It was the end of the day. The rest of the apostles were in Jerusalem – which was only 7 miles away – so they immediately returned and gave a report on what happened. When they got there they found out that Jesus had already appeared to Simon Peter as well. Jesus showed up while they were discussing these events, but they thought He was a ghost and were frightened. Jesus convinced them it was really He by inviting them to touch Him and by eating with them. He proceeded to remind them of the things He had taught them before. He opened their minds, and they understood. (Luke 24:33-45)
- Jesus reconfirmed His promise to them that He would send the Holy Spirit to them and instructed them to stay there in Jerusalem until He did this. When they got to Bethany, only about 1.5 miles from Jerusalem, Jesus blessed them and was carried up to heaven. The disciples went to the temple and continually worshipped their Master and Savior. (Luke 24:46-53)
That's where Luke picks up the story in the book of Acts. Acts 1:4-11
“4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
As Jesus said ( Luke 24:49), the disciples stayed in Jerusalem waiting to “be clothed with power from on high,” which here in Acts 1:5 is called being “baptized with the Holy Spirit.” After promising this, Jesus was taken up in a cloud. Two men in white robes were standing nearby and told them that Jesus would return in the same way they saw Him leave. Notice in verse 8 that the power they would receive from the Holy Spirit would fuel their witnesses. It wasn’t their seminary training. It wasn’t their eloquence. It was the Holy Spirit’s power in them. Notice also in verse 8 that their witness would begin right there where they were, at home in Jerusalem. Yes, the rest of the world would need to learn of this gospel too. But mission at home is where it started, and that’s where it always must start. Acts 1:12-14
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
They returned to Jerusalem. But it could be easy to miss how these early disciples banded together. They were not only of “ one accord” (v.14), but they traveled together and stayed together – 120 of them according to the next verse! Christianity today seems to be much more of an individual thing. The church is a bunch of individual Christians rather than one body. Could it be because we’ve lost a sense of mission? Acts 1:15-20
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
Peter stood up and emphasized the significance of that day – that they had been a part of the fulfillment of prophecy(!!). Not only was the prophecy of Jesus fulfilled in them, but Judas’ betrayal of Jesus and his suicide was also fulfilled among them. Acts 1:21-26
“‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
So The Twelve were now The Eleven and they needed to replace Judas. Both Justus-Joseph-Barsabbas and Matthias fit the qualifications, so they prayed for God’s direction, rolled some dice (so to speak), and God chose Matthias. |
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John R
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Post by John R on Jan 14, 2019 14:58:20 GMT -6
I did not comment on the text but my thoughts on this first chapter of the Book of Acts reminds me of Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." At the time of his resurrection, the disciples were in fear, confused and wondering what was next in God's plans for them, their families and the world. Its no different today. We read and study and we pray for God's direction but often we remain confused in the way in which we should go. At least I am.
God calls us to be obedient to His word and be diligent in prayer continuously to follow him. It is truly a walk of trust so that we do not lose our way or stray from the path he is on. Matthew 5:13-16 brings a great deal of clarity here. "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Jesus is very clear that we are salt (the great preservative) and are to be that preservative in every situation. We are light and we are to shine in the world around us and not shrink back and hide under cover.
If those with whom we come in contact see our light and are preserved by our presence, God will be glorified and the world will change. It is up to us Jesus said, to be what we are, in Christ. This simple obedience takes much of the guess work out of following Christ.
Blessings! John |
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JB
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Post by JB on Jan 19, 2019 21:51:30 GMT -6
Eric ... Peter did not wait to see how the Lord might lead. In light of this I have thought the choosing of the 12th apostle seemed out of place. Those in the gathering did not consider that there might be a third choice (of God's own choosing). The fact that Matthias is not mentioned in the scripture again confirms this to me. It reminded me of Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
We do see that after the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that lots are no longer used to make decisions. Rather the instructions we have, are those that came later, in Romans 12:1-2 & Ephesians 5:17. The Holy Spirit is there to guide us and to lead us individually and corporately.
That is an interesting perspective I have not heard or considered before. Peter most certainly was impetuous and I could easily imagine his getting impatient and making a decision if the Lord seemed like He was moving to slowly. What I do know - from personal experience and sharing a few characteristics with Peter myself - is that God will take even the things I've broken and make them whole. If I look back and see that I've moved forward without His guidance, I'll also see that He compassionately straightened out the jagged path I took in my flesh. |
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JB
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Post by JB on Jan 19, 2019 22:01:39 GMT -6
John,
...If those with whom we come in contact see our light and are preserved by our presence, God will be glorified and the world will change. It is up to us Jesus said, to be what we are, in Christ. This simple obedience takes much of the guess work out of following Christ.... I've had the fortune to know some incredibly dynamic, dedicated servants of Christ over the years who have accomplished many things for His name and His sake. The Christians who have had he most impact on me, though, were just everyday Christians who didn't accomplish particularly big things and mostly blended into the pews, but they had a special quality of consistent faith, simple obedience, and unforced service that was simply the way they and their families lived their lives. Their lights shone brightly without mirrors or sequins. |
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Eric B
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Post by Eric B on Jan 21, 2019 15:00:22 GMT -6
Acts 1 is one of those chapters that I historically read over without thinking too deeply about. After all, the action starts in Acts 2. Yet I had just finished Mark 8 and started Mark 9 in my daily times. Mark 8 is where Peter first proclaims, "Thou art the Christ" and then later proceeds to rebuke the Lord about the way of the cross. In Mark 9:5-6 "Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified." This same Peter stood up in Acts 1.
This same Peter was acting on impulse and wanting to see scripture fulfilled. He was not filled with the Holy Spirit yet. Yet we do not see the Lord rebuking Peter for this either. The Lord is compassionate.
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