November 16: Acts 1-3

November 16, Acts 1-3

From the ESV Study Bible, “Acts picks up where Luke’s Gospel leaves off, recording the early progress of the gospel as Jesus’ disciples took it from Jerusalem throughout Judea, Samaria, and the rest of the Mediterranean world. The story begins with Christ’s ascension and the events of Pentecost. As Gentiles begin responding to the gospel, the focus shifts to Paul and his missionary journeys. Acts forms a bridge between the four Gospels and the rest of the New Testament, showing how the apostles carried on Christ’s work and providing a historical background for Romans through Revelation. The Acts of the Apostles is the second of two New Testament books written by Luke. Like his Gospel, Acts was a letter to Luke’s friend Theophilus, written sometime in a.d. 62–64.”

Acts 1 The Promise of the Holy Spirit. Luke is the author of both the Gospel of Luke & Acts. Luke dedicated both books he wrote to Theophilus. Luke reminds us that he has given an account of Jesus’ works and words for His chosen people. Jesus rose from the dead and hung out with His people for 40 days. He told the disciples to stay in the city as they were to wait for the promised baptism of the Holy Spirit!

The Ascension. Not only did Jesus ascend from the grave (rise), He was now about to ascend to Heaven. “So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 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.” 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.  And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 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.” You cant blame them for staring! Even though Jesus had done so many crazy things, this was epic as well. And we are promised here again that Jesus is going to be coming back for His people. 

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas. As you know, we are reminded here that Judas betrayed Jesus and killed himself. The disciples got together and devoted themselves to prayer. “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. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” They knew where their priorities were at. Jesus 1st. What does Peter do? He stands up and begins to teach them. “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.” This was all part of God’s plan. Remember, God is Sovereign and has planned it all out - all we have to do is live a lifestyle of obedience and pursue holiness. Scripture also said that somebody was to replace Judas (Psalm 109:8). So, they set forth to do just that. Whoever was picked needed to have been with Jesus from the beginning. They had options. Remember at one point Jesus sent out 72 disciples to go from house to house and town to town. It wasn't just the 12… They narrowed it down to 2 guys, Matthias and Joseph. This is referred to as a divine appointment. They prayed and then trusted God’s hand by casting lots. The lot fell on Matthias, so he became the 12th disciple. Bakers Commentary puts it this way, “The practice of casting the lot was common in Old Testament times; in the New Testament the Evangelists record that the soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothes (Matt. 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:24). After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, the practice ceases. In the period between Jesus’ ascension and Pentecost, the apostles determine the conditions for apostleship, pray for divine guidance, and cast the lot to ascertain God’s choice.

“The lot fell to Matthias.” Luke does not reveal how the apostles cast lots, but writes only that Matthias is the Lord’s choice. The Lord appoints him as he had earlier commissioned the twelve apostles. For that reason, the ceremony of laying hands on Matthias is not observed (e.g., 6:6). Although Matthias fills the vacancy in the circle of the twelve apostles, we do not hear from or about him in the rest of the New Testament.”

Acts 2 The Coming of the Holy Spirit. This chapter is an incredible read! If you have read it before, you may just read over it. But just think about it - and its implications - and it does not read like a text book. The Bible is not a text book at all, it is much more than that - it is God speaking to us and gives us everything we need to live for Him and with Him forever. 

The disciples were being obedient and waiting for what Jesus promised them. God has made Himself known by visible and audible signs… Here the Holy Spirit is literally poured out on the day of Pentecost. It really happened. He fills the people who are gathered and causes them to speak in other languages. There is a lot of devout Jews from many nations that witnessed this as they were staying in Jerusalem. From bakers Commentary, “They hear the noise of the wind, come together, and hear the Galileans speak to them in their native languages. Some of the people come from the east (Parthia, Media, Elam, and Mesopotamia), others are from Asia Minor and Africa, and still others are visitors from Rome. These people are filled with amazement and ask what this phenomenon means.” People were trying to figure out what was going on and then you had some that mocked them and accused the disciples of being drunk. Peter, again takes the leadership role, goes into a great explanation and he takes his gloves off. He tells them that these men are not drunk, as it is still morning! He points out that Joel’s prophecy concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit has been fulfilled before their very eyes. From Bakers Commentary, “He proves from the Psalms that Jesus, crucified by the Jews, was raised by God and now sits at his right hand in heaven. From his exalted position, he has sent the Holy Spirit. He is able to do this because God made him Lord and Christ. The people are overcome with guilt and ask Peter for counsel. He admonishes his audience to repent and to be baptized. Three thousand persons accept Peter’s message, are baptized, and are added to the initial group of believers. The converts are instructed in the teaching of the apostles, worship, and partake of communion. They share their material possessions, praise God, and enjoy the favor of all the people. The church continues to grow.”

Acts 3 The Lame Beggar Healed. Around 3:00 in the afternoon, Peter & John are going to the Temple for the designated hour of prayer. There is a handicapped (lame) beggar sitting there, begging.  Come on, picture this scene! “Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.” I desperately want to experience the Holy Spirit to this degree. The guy leaps to his feet and gets up! He goes into the Temple and the people are amazed… they just saw this guy unable to walk outside when they walked in. 

Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico. The healed man clung to Peter & John as they were in the Temple. God got their attention and now it was time for Peter to explain what was going on. “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.  But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.” It was not Peter’s power but Jesus Christ that did all this. Peter was not shy to let them know they were the ones that killed Jesus and he challenged them to repent and turn to Christ.

To sum it all up: 

• Are you ready for Jesus to return? Regardless of the hardships in your life right now, never lose hope of the promise of better days and a better future with Hope in Jesus Christ. 
• Is your faith strong enough to believe that Jesus through the Spirit could heal? Do you believe or doubt that? Be honest with yourself… 
• Repent and turn back to God and experience the refreshing that only God can bring.