Journal

Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.

• Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
• Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
• List out all that you are grateful for.
• Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.

• Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • A Guide to Journaling & Prayer
  • A Guide to Self-Reflection
  • A Chart to help articulate feelings

Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 1 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 2 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 3 COMMENTARY

v.11: “Solomon’s Colonnade was the porch that ran along the east side of the Court of the Gentiles.  It had rows of 27-foot-high stone columns and a roof of cedar.  It was a good thirty yards wide and over five hundred yards long, so there was plenty of room for large gatherings.” ^[1]  

v.15: “When he talked of his witness, he said, ‘We are witnesses of this’ (3:15; cf. 2:32; 5:32).  Peter was not a lone voice; he had a ministry team backing him when he spoke.  Peter and John ministered as a team after this incident too (8:14). When the first missionary team for Gentile evangelization was commissioned, the Holy Spirit wanted two people set apart (13:2).  When this team broke up, both Paul and Barnabas took others along to form their own teams (15:39-40).  We know that Paul almost never traveled alone.  He had his traveling Bible school, where he trained ‘interns’ like Timothy and Titus.  Even when Paul went to Rome as a prisoner, Luke was with him (27:2).  In his last letter written from prison, Paul asked Timothy to join him quickly and to bring Mark along (2 Tim. 4:9,11).  Only in exceptional cases, such as Philip the evangelist, do we see ministry performed alone in the New Testament.” ^[2]

v.19: “All they had to do to avail themselves of this salvation was to change their former attitude to Jesus and bring it into line with God’s attitude.  God had clearly declared his verdict by raising him from the dead.  Let them therefore repent, let them repudiate with abhorrence their acquiescence in the murder of their true Messiah, let them turn back in heart to God, and the salvation and blessing procured by their Messiah’s death would be theirs.  Their sins would be blotted out, even that sin of sins which they had unwittingly committed in consenting to the death of the Author of life.  Here is the heart of the gospel of grace.” ^[3]

Bible Text

Acts 3:1-10 (ESV)

¹ Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.  ² And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. ³ Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. ⁴ And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” ⁵ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶ 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!” ⁷ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. ⁸ And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. ⁹ And all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Go Deeper

Acts 3:1-10

•       Consider the setting: the Temple, the Beautiful Gate (famous for its imposing height and golden adornments), and the crippled beggar “lame from birth” begging for money. How are different versions of this picture played out in our world today?

•       Consider the truths that emerge from the contrast between the beggar’s highest hopes for the day vs. what was actually available to him from Peter and John.

•       What are some ways the elements of the passage – the beggar, silver and gold, Peter and John, the “name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” – resonate with my story, and ultimately commission me?

---

[1] Life Change Series: Acts.

[2] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series,  pp.141-142.

[3] Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, pp.83-84

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Prayer

Journal

Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.

• Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
• Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
• List out all that you are grateful for.
• Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.

• Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • A Guide to Journaling & Prayer
  • A Guide to Self-Reflection
  • A Chart to help articulate feelings

Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 1 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 2 COMMENTARY

Bible Text

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)

⁴² And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ⁴⁵ And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Go Deeper

Acts 2:42-47

•       According to this passage, what were the essential ingredients of the early church? 

•       What are some concrete actions that must take place for such a community to form today?

•       If I were actually in a church like this, what adjustments would I need to make?

•       What do I find most inspiring about this picture of the first church?

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Prayer

Journal

Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.

• Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
• Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
• List out all that you are grateful for.
• Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.

• Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • A Guide to Journaling & Prayer
  • A Guide to Self-Reflection
  • A Chart to help articulate feelings

Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 1 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 2 COMMENTARY

Bible Text

Acts 2:14-41 (ESV)

¹⁴ But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. ¹⁵ For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. ¹⁶ But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

¹⁷ “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,

    that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,

    and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

    and your young men shall see visions,

    and your old men shall dream dreams;

¹⁸ even on my male servants and female servants

    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they

   shall prophesy.

¹⁹ And I will show wonders in the heavens above

    and signs on the earth below,

    blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

²⁰ the sun shall be turned to darkness

    and the moon to blood,

    before the day of the Lord comes, the great and

    magnificent day.

²¹ And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls  

   upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

²² “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— ²³ this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. ²⁴ God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. ²⁵ For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,

    for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

²⁶ therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

    my flesh also will dwell in hope.

²⁷ For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,

    or let your Holy One see corruption.

²⁸ You have made known to me the paths of life;

    you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

²⁹ “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰ Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, ³¹ he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. ³² This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.³³ Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. ³⁴ For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

³⁵  until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

³⁶ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

³⁷ Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” ⁴⁰ And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” ⁴¹ So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Go Deeper

Acts 2:14-41

• Peter speaks “with the eleven” (v. 14), signifying that this message is the testimony of the entire apostolic group. From Peter’s sermon, note several elements commentators identify as standard features of apostolic preaching throughout the early church:
  • citation of Old Testament
  • focus on Christ’s death and resurrection
  • appeal to repent and offer of forgiveness
• Identify the verses you find each of the above and think about the relevance and significance of each of the elements.

Acts 2:37-40

• Reflect on their dilemma in v. 37—“Brothers, what shall we do?”—and the promise of v. 39. Consider the extent of relief and gratitude that those who were “cut to the heart” must have felt at the offer of forgiveness. What can I learn about repentance through this? 

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[1]  Pohill, The New American Commentary: Acts. vol.26, 97.

[2] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 87-88.

[3] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 90-91.

[4] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 103.

[5]  Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 105-106.

[6] F.F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, 68

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Prayer

Journal

Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.

• Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
• Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
• List out all that you are grateful for.
• Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.

• Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • • A Guide to Journaling & Prayer
    • A Guide to Self-Reflection
    • A Chart to help articulate feelings

Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 1 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 2 COMMENTARY

v.2-4: “The coming of the Spirit is described in three carefully constructed parallel statements, each pointing to an aspect of the even: a sound came…and it filled the house (v.2); tongues appeared…and one sat on each of them (v.3); they were filled with the Holy Spirit…and began to speak in other tongues (v.4). The emphasis is on the objectivity of the event.  It was audible, visible, and manifested itself in an outward demonstration of inspired speech.” ^[1]

Two things happened to the disciples after the Spirit came: They ‘were filled with the Holy Spirit’ and ‘began to speak in other tongues’ (v.4).  The ‘tongues’ are different from those described in 1 Corinthians 12-14 because, unlike there, ‘God-fearing Jews’ from the Diaspora were able to understand what was being said.  They exclaimed, ‘We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!’ (Acts 2:11)…  At the start of what may be called ‘the era of the Spirit,’ he assisted in the work of witness in a way that depicts the gospel going to the ends of the earth.  The sign fit in with the Spirit’s role in enabling the church’s worldwide witness (Acts 1:8).  As a result, about three thousand people were ‘added to their number that day’ (2:41). ^[2]

v.12-13: “The miraculous is not self-authenticating, nor does it inevitably and uniformly convince. There must also be the preparation of the heart and the proclamation of the message if miracles are to accomplish their full purpose.

“Pentecost also signals the breaking of barriers that have separated the human race since Babel, with the formation of a new humanity in Christ.  In other words Pentecost reverses what happened at Babel.   […]  Moreover, people no longer need to build up to the heavens in search of the significance they lost when they were thrown out of the garden of Eden.  God has now sent his Spirit down to us and lifted our experience to a new level of significance. ‘Babel and Eden are not ’undone’ as much as they are redeemed and their negative effects nullified.’” ^[3]

v.24-28: “The resurrection occupies nine verses of Peter’s sermon.  The language of verse 24 is graphic.  The bible often refers to the resurrection as an act of God (‘God raised him’), which is in keeping with the fact that it was God’s accreditation of the person and work of Christ […] The next statement, ‘It was impossible for death to keep its hold on him,’ clearly shows that Peter is using the resurrection as a validation of Jesus’ life and ministry.  Because he is Messiah, he cannot remain dead.  G. Bertram describes beautifully what Peter is saying: ‘The abyss can no more hold the Redeemer than a pregnant woman can hold the child in her body.’

In verses 25-28 Peter quotes Psalm 16:8-11, where David anticipates a resurrection.  Then he goes on to argue that, since David did not rise from the dead, this passage must be referring to David’s great Son, Jesus.  Longenecker explains how the apostles followed the exegetical precedent set by Jesus in interpreting Psalm 110 as a messianic psalm (cf. Mark 12:35-37) as well as Psalm 16 (which as similar phrases)[…] Peter clinches his argument for the resurrection with his claim: ‘We are all witnesses of the fact’ (v.32).” ^[4]

v.36: “Peter claims first that Jesus is ‘Lord.’  With the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus, the disciples now fully understand the implications of who he is….”  ^[5]

“His messiahship, acclaimed at his baptism, was confirmed by his resurrection; by it he was ‘designated Son of God in power’ (Rom. 1:4).  But he has been exalted not only as Messiah and Son of God, but as Lord.  The first apostolic sermon concludes with the first apostolic creed: ‘Jesus is Lord’ (cf. Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 12:3; Phil. 2:11) – ‘Lord’ not only as a bearer of a courtesy title but as bearer of ‘the name which is above every name’ (Phil. 2:9).  To a Jew there was only one name ‘above every name’ – the ineffable name of the God of Israel […] That the early Christians meant to give Jesus the title ‘Lord’ in this highest sense of all is indicated by their not hesitating on occasion to apply to him passages of Old Testament scripture referring to Yahweh.  Indeed, in this very context it may well be that the promise of Joel 2:32, ‘all who call on Yahweh’s name shall be delivered,’ is viewed as being fulfilled in those members of Peter’s audience who repentantly invoke Jesus as Lord.” ^[6]

Bible Text

Acts 2:1-13 (ESV)

¹ When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

⁵ Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.  ⁶ And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.⁷ And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, ¹¹ both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

¹² And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³ But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Go Deeper

Acts 2:5-13

• Consider this picture of “men from every nation under heaven” (v. 5) listening to the disciples declaring “the mighty works of God” (v. 11) in their own languages. What does this dissolving of communication barriers signify regarding the mission of the newly Spirit-filled believers?
• What words describe the various responses of the listeners to this event? What are some parallels to the range of people’s responses to the preaching of the gospel today?

Acts 2:1-13

• In what ways does this passage challenge me, resonate with parts of my own story, or identify where I am today?

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[1]  Pohill, The New American Commentary: Acts. vol.26, 97.

[2] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 87-88.

[3] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 90-91.

[4] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 103.

[5]  Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 105-106.

[6] F.F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, 68

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Prayer

Journal

Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.

• Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
• Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
• List out all that you are grateful for.
• Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.

• Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • • A Guide to Journaling & Prayer
    • A Guide to Self-Reflection
    • A Chart to help articulate feelings

Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 1 COMMENTARY

Bible Text

Acts 1:12-26 (ESV)

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.

Go Deeper

Acts 1:12-26

• Consider Peter’s wisdom in dealing squarely with the painful issue of Judas. What can I learn from the interaction between prayer, Peter’s leadership, scripture and God’s guidance in this text?
• Reflect on the tragedy of Judas, especially highlighted in verses 17 and 25. Think of what Judas had, and the act of turning aside to “go to his own place.” What are the parallels, warnings, or lessons for me, as a follower of Jesus who has also received a “share in this ministry”?

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[1] Ajith Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998), 21.

[2] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 40-41.

[3] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 50.

[4] Ibid.

[5] F.F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1988), 31.

[6] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 51-52.

[7] John B. Pohill, The New American Commentary: Acts. vol.26 (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1992), 84-86.

[8] Pohill, The New American Commentary: Acts. vol.26, 93-94.

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Prayer

Journal

Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.

• Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
• Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
• List out all that you are grateful for.
• Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.

Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ACTS

“Some scholars have regarded Acts as the most important book in the New Testament, or at least as its pivotal book, coming as it does between the Gospels and the letters.  It records the origin and growth of the Christian movement, telling us how the first believers lived out Christianity.  It describes its message and ministry, and its life – including its triumphs and trials, the passions that drove it, and the source of the power that energized it.  Any Christian wanting to know how to be a disciple of Christ in this world should turn to Acts to know how the first Christians lived.” ^[1]

“Contemporary Christians who read Acts with an open mind will find themselves challenged with pointed applications by what happened in the early church.

To a society where individualism reigns and where the church also seems to have adopted a style of community life that “guards the privacy of the individual,” the early church presents a radical community where members held all things in common.

To a society where selfishness is sometimes admired and each one is left to fend for himself or herself, Acts presents a group of Christians who were so committed to Christ and the cause of the gospel that they were willing to sacrifice their desires for the good of others.

To a society where pluralism defines truth as something subjective and personal, Acts presents a church that based its life on certain objective facts about God and Christ – facts that were not only personally true but also universally valid and therefore had to be presented to the entire world.

To a society that denies absolute truth and therefore shuns apologetics and persuasion in evangelism in favor of dialogue, Acts presents a church that persuaded people until they were convinced of the truth of the gospel.  Instead of aiming at mutual enrichment as the main aim of interreligious encounter, as many do today, the early church proclaimed Christ as supreme Lord with conversion in view.

In an age when many churches spend so much time, money, and energy on self-preservation and improvement, Acts presents churches that released their most capable people for reaching the lost.

In an age where many churches look to excellence in techniques to bring success, Acts presents a church that depended on the Holy Spirit and gave top priority to prayer and moral purity.

In an age when many avenues are available to avoid suffering and therefore many Christians have left out suffering from their understanding of the Christian life, Acts presents a church that took on suffering for the cause of Christ and considered it a basic ingredient of discipleship.” ^[2]

CHAPTER 1 COMMENTARY

v.1: The author of Acts, Luke, refers to his “former book”, the gospel of Luke.  The books of Luke and Acts are considered by scholars to be actually one book entitled “Luke-Acts”. 

“Theophilus means “friend of God” or “loved by God,” but it is unlikely, as some (e.g. Origen) have suggested, that this name is a symbol for an anonymous person or group of people.  This particular name was in use at that time, and the description of Theophilus as “most excellent” (Luke 1:3) suggests that a real person is meant.”^[3]

v.3: “Luke then reports that Jesus’ appearances were proof of his resurrection (v.3a). The objective reality of the resurrection was the ultimate proof of the amazing claims that the apostles were to make about Jesus (Acts 17:31).  The fact that the apostles were witnesses to this resurrection was a key to their preaching.  So right at the start of his book, Luke presents the resurrection as an event attested by ‘many convincing proofs.’” ^[4]

“Over a period of forty days between his resurrection and ascension Jesus appeared at intervals to his apostles and other followers in a manner which could leave no doubt in their minds that he was really alive again, risen from the dead.  The most primitive and comprehensive list of these appearances is that given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:5-7, although the Gospel narratives indicate that even Paul’s list is not exhaustive.” ^[5]

v.6: “It must have saddened the heart of Jesus to hear his disciples ask about the time of restoring the kingdom to

Israel (v.6).  He had taught them about the kingdom of God, but they talk about the kingdom of Israel.  John Stott points out that the verb, the noun and the adverb of their sentence all betray doctrinal confusion about the kingdom.  The verb restore shows that they were expecting political and territorial kingdom; the noun Israel that they were expecting a national kingdom; and the adverbial clause “at this time” that they were expecting its immediate establishment.” ^[6]

v.7-8: “The disciples were to be the true, “restored” Israel, fulfilling its mission to be a “light for the Gentiles” so that God’s salvation might reach “to the ends of the earth” (Isa. 49:6). 

The geographical scope of Acts 1:8 provides a rough outline of the entire book: Jerusalem (1-7), Judea and Samaria (8-12), the ends of the earth (13-28).  As such it can be considered the “theme” verse of Acts […]“ ^[7]

v.21-22: “Peter laid down the qualifications for Judas’ replacement.  He had to be one who had witnessed the entire ministry of Jesus from the time of baptism by John to the ascension.  Above all he had to have witnessed the resurrection appearances.  Here we have the basic understanding of the apostles’ role in Acts.  They were primarily ‘witnesses’ to Jesus, eyewitnesses who could share his teaching and confirm his resurrection and ascension.  As such, the role of apostle was limited to the Twelve.  It was a unique, irreplaceable office (Eph. 2:20; Rev. 21:14).  There could be no apostolic succession, since there were no further eyewitnesses to succeed them.  …

Luke 22:28-30 speaks of the apostles’ unique role of sitting in the kingdom and judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  Their number corresponds to the tribes of Israel, for in a real sense  they represent the restored Israel, the people of God.  The continuity with Israel necessitates the restoration of the full number of twelve.” ^[8]

Bible Text

Acts 1:1-11 (ESV)

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.

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.”

Go Deeper

Acts 1:3

•       Reflect on what this period with Jesus must have been like for the disciples.

Acts 1:6-8

•       Note the difference in scope in the exchange between the apostles and Jesus. In what ways has walking with Christ enlarged the scope of my life?

Acts 1:1-11

•       What is the primary role of the Holy Spirit’s coming? 

•       Who are the people in my spheres of influence to whom Jesus is sending me as his witness?  

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[1] Ajith Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998), 21.

[2] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 40-41.

[3] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 50.

[4] Ibid.

[5] F.F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1988), 31.

[6] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 51-52.

[7] John B. Pohill, The New American Commentary: Acts. vol.26 (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1992), 84-86.

[8] Pohill, The New American Commentary: Acts. vol.26, 93-94.

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Prayer