Acts 1

1. Prayer Request

2. Scripture Reading

? What are the 5 cycles of discipline for a client nation? (Hint Leviticus)

Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak;

And hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

Let my teaching [doctrine] drop as the rain,

My speech distill as the dew,

As raindrops on the tender herb,

And as showers on the grass.

(Deuteronomy 32:1–2)

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,

And give attention to know understanding;

For I give you good doctrine.

(Proverbs 4:1–2)

But as for you, speak the things, which are proper for sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1)1

Hebrews 6:1 Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3And this will we do, if God permit2

The verb translated “let us press on” (pherometha) is in the passive voice. We could render it, “Let us be carried on” (i.e., by God’s Spirit). Spiritual maturity does not come by our striving in self-effort but by our cooperating with God as we do His will depending on His help. It comes as we follow the Holy Spirit who leads us (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:16).

33. Review

(Recap foundations of the faith, ask what a covenant is? What a dispensation is? Why are we not under the law? What was the purpose of Tongues? What is one verse that predicts Jesus Christ’s crucifixion? What is the concept of Reaping and sowing in the spiritual realm, What are the five cycles of discipline and where can we find it?

First cycle (Lev 26:14-17) Loss of health, combat loss, decline of agricultural prosperity, loss of personal freedoms.

Second cycle (Lev 26:18-20 Economic recession,

Third cycle (Lev 26:21-22 Violence and breakdown of law and order

Fourth cycle (Lev 26:23-26 Foreign conquest, or military occupation of a nation

Fifth cycle (Lev 26:27:39) Destruction of nation.

Dispensation is defined as a stage in the progressive revelation of God constituting a distinctive stewardship (stewardship was responsibilities given to household servants) and rule of life

Ages are mentioned in the bible in Eph 2:7, Heb 1:2. Ages are also distinguished in the bible. (John 1:17, matt 5:21-22, 2 Cor 3:11, Heb 7:11-12) Example the Child of God under Grace is not situated the same as Adam, or Abraham, or the Israelite under the Law nor is the Child of God now required to follow that peculiar manner of life when the King shall return to set up his Kingdom.

Outline of the Book of Acts

The last recorded fact about Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew is the Resurrection, which is recorded in Acts 1. In the Gospel of Mark, the last recorded act of Jesus is the Ascension, which is also recorded in Acts 1. In the Gospel of Luke, the last recorded fact is the promise of the Holy Spirit. That is also in Acts 1. And in the Gospel of John the last recorded fact is the second coming of Christ. You guessed it—that is also in Acts 1. It is as if the four Gospels had been poured into a funnel, and they all come down into this jug of the first chapter of the Book of Acts. Also the great missionary commission, which appears in all four Gospels, is confirmed in the Book of Acts.4

The Book of Acts records the beginning of the church, the birth of the church5

The theme or key to the Book of Acts is found in 1:8: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit comes upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”6

The first seven chapters record the Lord Jesus Christ at work by the Holy Spirit through the apostles in Jerusalem7

Chapters 8 through 12 record the Lord Jesus Christ at work by the Holy Spirit through the apostles in Judea and Samaria.8

The remainder of the book is devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ at work by the Holy Spirit through the apostles unto the uttermost part of the earth.9

1. Prominence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Prominence of the Holy Spirit. The promise of the Holy Spirit is mentioned four times in the gospel of John (John 1:33; 7:37–39; 14:16–17; 20:22).

3. The Power of the Church, It’s the Holy Spirit working through the believer when any service brings honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. Prominence of the church, visible and invisible. The church is a new institution. It has come into existence in the Book of Acts.

5. Prominence of the Resurrection.

. The Resurrection is the center of gospel preaching. In too many churches today, we have one Easter sermon once a year. As a pastor, many times I have featured Easter in August. People would come just to find out what had happened to the preacher. They thought the heat was getting to me. However, in the early church the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the very center and heart of the message, and no sermon was preached without it. The theme of Peter on the Day of Pentecost was the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He explained that what was taking place on that day was because of the fact that Jesus was now in heaven at the right hand of God and had sent His Holy Spirit into the world. It was all due to the Resurrection. You will find that the Resurrection is the very heart of the messages of Paul.

“He is risen!” was proclaimed everywhere (see Matt. 27:64).

Outline of Acts Chapter 1.

A scholar attacks Acts

About a century ago British scholar William Ramsay focused on the book of Acts to try to show it was rife with geographical and archaeological errors. After all, many scholars of his day, equipped with the tools of textual criticism and archaeology, had exposed many errors in other classic writings. This eminent humanity professor diligently prepared himself by studying archaeology and geography before departing for the Middle East and Asia Minor in his quest to prove Luke's history of the early Church was mostly myth.

His quest didn't turn out as he expected. After a quarter century of research in what is today Israel and Turkey, where he carefully retraced the steps of the apostles as described in the book of Acts, this famous unbeliever shook the intellectual world when he announced he had converted to Christianity. He confessed this radical change of mind and heart was thanks in great part to his surprise at the accuracy he found in Luke's narrative in Acts.

After decades of examining the historical and geographical details mentioned in the book, Ramsay concluded: "Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, he is possessed of the true historic sense ... In short this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians" (The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament, 1953, p. 80).

He went on to write many books about Acts and the epistles of Paul. Ultimately Ramsay was knighted for his contributions to the study of archaeology and geography.

Background on the culture. The Jews had three major sections of philosophy.

1. The Essenes

2. Sadducees

3. Pharisees

The Pharisees lived moderately, and despised delicacy in diet. They followed the conduct of reason. (Conviction, logic) What they prescribed as good for them, they did. (Their own code of morality)

They respected those who were older in years. They would never contradict their elders. They are determined that all things are done by faith.

They do not take away the freedom from men who are acting as they see fit or as they choose. They believe it pleases God to make a temperament where what he wills can be done.

So they believe the will of man can act virtuously or viciously. (They let men act, as they will. Whether virtuously or viciously.) (They believe that all individuals should act as they feel. So that God’s will, will be done.)

If his will is for one person to not have rewards than he will have a vicious temperament. If his will is for someone to have rewards, then he will act virtuously.

They believed souls had an immortal vigor in them. And that under the earth their would be rewards or judgment depending on how one lived his life.

For the former they believed they would be resurrected and live again, for the latter they would have eternal judgment.

The Pharasees understood that What God wills, will be done.

However they didn’t recognize the difference between Divine Will and permissive Will. Divine Will is how the plan of God unfolds. Historically Prophetically.

Permissive Will is that he allows us to act and make choices in life.

Example; Divine Will is when God made Jonah preach to Ninevah. Notice Jonah didn’t want to. He tried to run away from it. That was Jonahs choice. However there are times where God will override your bad choice and make you accomplish something. Other times he will allow you to make a bad decision and you will miss out.

If you are a Christian you’ll miss out on rewards, if you reject Christ, you’ll miss out on Heaven.

God knows who is going to what. Concerning our Spiritual life he knows who will be winners, and who will be Spiritual losers. However HE GIVES US THE CHOICE.

Same thing with the unsaved. He knows who will accept, who would reject, however HE GIVES THEM THE CHOICE.

A person who faces things in life and turns to God, (whether for salvation or after salvation for guidance and growth. That honors God. How can it honor him if he created the person to just follow a already set program. That would be no different that a window processor like Microsoft 2000 just following it’s program.

The Pharisees thought God didn’t give a person a choice. They thought that God would will some to be obedient and others to be disobedient to him.

Just because God knows what decisions you are going to make, doesn’t mean he had a hand in that decision.

The Sadducees believed the souls died with the body. They observed strictly the law. They were fewer in number, yet still their members were those of great dignity.

OUTLINE

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

This verse give you the outline for the whole book. The first seven chapters are the Lord Jesus at work through the Holy Spirit at Jerusalem

Chapters 8 through 12 record Jesus at work through the Holy Spirit at Judea and Samaria.

Notes on Acts

The book of Acts is the second book written by Luke. So you can consider yourselves in 2nd Luke chapter one. In verse one Luke is making a transition from the end of the first book of Luke to the beginning of the second book of Luke. If you were to make an outline of the book of Acts. Chapters 1-12 is the ministry of Peter and 13-28 the activity of the Apostle Paul.

2 0 0 5 E d i t i o n

Dr. Thomas L. Constable

Introduction

TITLE

The title "Acts of the Apostles" is very ancient. The Anti-Marcionite Prologue to the

Gospel of Luke (A.D. 150-180) contains the oldest reference to the book by this name.

The title is a bit misleading, however, because the book contains only a few of the acts of

some of the apostles, primarily Peter and Paul. The book is more a story of the extension

of the church from Jerusalem to the ends of the ancient world than it is a history of the

apostles' acts.

WRITER

Two lines of argument lead to the conclusion that Luke, the friend, fellow missionary,

and physician of Paul wrote this book under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. First, there

Is the internal evidence, the passages written in the first person plural that can refer to

Luke (16:10-40; 20:5—21:18; 27:1—28:16). Second, we have external evidence

indicating that Luke wrote Acts. This evidence includes references by early church Fathers, 1 comments in collections of New Testament books,2 and editorial statements in

Early notes on certain New Testament books.3

DATE AND PLACE OF COMPOSITION

The date of composition was probably in the early sixties, A.D. 60-62. In view of his

emphases Luke probably would have mentioned several important events had they occurred by the time he wrote. These include the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70,

Paul's death in A.D. 68, and the Nero’s persecution of Christians that began in A.D.64.

We do not know for sure where Luke was when he wrote Acts. Perhaps he composed it

Over a period of years drawing on various sources and then put it into its final form in

Rome where Paul was in confinement for two years (28:30-31; A.D. 60-62).

1E.g., Irenaeus, c. 180 A.D.

2E.g., the Muratorian Canon, second century A.D. See Documents of the Christian Church, pp. 28-29, for

an English translation of the text.

3E.g., the Anti-Marcionite Prologue to the Gospel of Luke, second century A.D. See T. W. Manson, Studies

in the Gospels and Epistles, p. 49, for an English translation.

2 Dr. Constable's Notes on Acts 2005 Edition

"Fortunately the intelligibility and value of the book are largely

independent of a knowledge of the precise situation in which it was

written. While the finer points of the interpretation of Acts can still cause

intense discussion among scholars, the essential themes of the book are

basically clear and simple."4

SCOPE

The events recorded in Acts cover a period of about 30 years beginning with the Lord's

ascension in A.D. 33 to Paul's two-year Roman house arrest that ended about A.D. 62.5

PURPOSE

There seems to have been a three-fold purpose for the writing of Acts. As with the other Books of the Bible that record history in narrative form,

certainly the Holy Spirit had a historical purpose. He intended to provide an inspired record of selected events that show the spread of the gospel and the church. They branched out from Jerusalem, the center of Judaism where the church began, to Rome, the uttermost part of the Gentile

earth.

The fact that Luke included what he did and omitted much other historical data indicates a second theological purpose.

He showed how the plans and purposes of God

Were working out through history.

In particular he showed how Jesus Christ was

faithfully and irresistibly building His church (Matt. 16:18).8 This involved clarifying

how God's dealings with humankind had taken a different course because of the Jews'

rejection of their Messiah.

Third, Luke evidently had an apologetic purpose in writing.

He frequently pointed out

the relationship of the church to the Roman state by referring to many Roman officials

not one of whom opposed Christianity because of its doctrines or practices.

". . . the Acts is to be seen in close literary association with the Gospel of Luke].

They form two parts of one work, conceived in its final form as a

unity, whether or not the original composition of the Gospel took place

independently of the plan to produce the two-part work. Although there

are other examples of literary compositions in two parts (Josephus, Contra

Apionem, is one of the nearest parallels to Luke-Acts in time and cultural

context), Luke's work appears to be unique among Christian writings and

to have no close secular precedents in its combination of the stories of a

religious leader and of his followers."10

".

UNIQUE FEATURES

Acts is the only New Testament book that continues the history begun in the Gospels.

It is also an indispensable historical record for understanding the Apostle Paul's epistles;

without it we could not understand some of the things he wrote. It is the only Bible book

that records the historical transition from Judaism to Christianity. It provides basic

information about and insight into the early church. And it challenges every modern

Christian.12

Act 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

Notes on Acts 1:1 Treastise is the Greek word Logos which means the word, a part of speech, by implication here it is talking about doctrine, or former teaching.

The Greek word for Theophilus is friend of God. Some say Luke wrote this book to all the friends of God. However you can tell by the opening structure that it was probably an individual that he wrote this to.

Acts 1:1 Expanded

The previous doctrine I have taught Theophluis O “Friend of God”, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.

What is the previous doctrine that Luke is referring to? It’s the book of Luke. Luke’s gospel refers to all Jesus did and taught. Turn back to Luke chapter one.

Luke 1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to draw up a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,

Luke 1:2 even as they delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,

Luke 1:3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus;

Luke 1:4 that thou mightest know the certainty concerning the things wherein you were instructed.

So it becomes clear as I mentioned before that Luke and Acts are a two-volume set. And Luke dedicates this set to Theophilus.

Act 1:2 until the day in which he was received up, (His ascension) after that he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

Jesus was big on teaching biblical truth. He taught his Apostles before his crucifixion, and before he ascended to heaven and after he ascended to heaven. (Through his forty-day post resurrection ministry)

First lets look at the commands given to the eleven before Christ ascends to heaven.

(Great commission)

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the all creation.

Greek word for all the first time is

hap'-as meaning absolutely all or every part- all (things), every (one), the whole.

What does this mean? It means that we should share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone.

The Greek word for preach is ke?russo? Meaning to herald, to announce, to proclaim the good news. Herald according to definition is one who proclaims. It can also mean an official who is in charge of making royal proclamations- American Heritage dictionary third edition.

Greek word for all the second time is pos which means: each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything

Expanded translation

Mark 16:15 I say unto you; Go to all of the World, everywhere, the whole world, and as my Royal officials, proclaim, announce, herald, the good news to everyone, to all creation.

Mar 16:16 He that believes and is baptized (Baptism of the Holy Spirit) shall be saved; but he that disbelieves shall be condemned.

Greek word for believes is pisteuo? Means to think to be true, to be persuaded, to place confidence in.

He that thinks it’s true, is persuaded in, places confidence in, (in me Jesus Christ) is baptized

Baptized is the Greek word Baptizo meaning to be immersed, dipped, washed.

What baptism is Jesus referring to? Is he referring to the ritual of water baptism? Obviously not.

Tit 3:5 not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

This is the baptism Jesus is talking about. The baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:11) This verse shows what happens as we are being saved. We trust in Christ and then become a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) How? By being washed, immersed in regeneration and renewed by the Holy Spirit. When you wash someone the dirt falls off and they are now clean, renewed.

Expanded translation of Mark 16:16

And he that thinks it to be true, places confidence in, or is persuaded of the gospel, is simultaneously baptized, washed, cleansed, by the Holy Spirit, (and now is a new creature reference to 2 Corinthians 5:17) and is saved. He that disbelieves will be condemned.

Mar 16:17 And these signs shall accompany them that believe:( The ones who believed in that age.) In my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; (which shall later cease 1 Corinthians 13:18)

1Co 13:8 Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.

Mar 16:18 they shall take up serpents, (Acts 28:5) and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Paul fulfills this prophecy in Acts 28:5

Act 28:5 Howbeit he shook off the viper into the fire, and took no harm.

Act 28:6 But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when they were long in expectation and saw not harm came to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Mar 16:19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

Mar 16:20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

Notice from Mark 15:20 a couple of things.

· Jesus leaves his disciples with a command. Go out an preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not to just a select race, or one’s they felt were predestined, but to all of creation. Why does Jesus say all of Creation? Because even though he knows who will accept, and who wont, all deserve a shot at a decision. Whether accept or reject. (verse 15)

· “He that believes and is Baptized.” Baptism is the Greek word Baptizo. Which means to immerse, to wash, to cleanse. When we are saved we are Baptized by the Holy Spirit. 2 Cor 5:17. We are now a new creation. All of the old things. (That is the ransoms do to Adams original sin.) are passed away, or washed away. Behold all things have become new.”

(verse 16)

So in review once again Acts Chapter one verses one and two.

Act 1:1 The former treatise (former doctrine) have I made, (recorded, written) O Theophilus, (Oh friend of God) of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, (from his thirty year earthly ministry, through his post-resurrection ministry.

Act 1:2 until the day in which he was received up, (His ascension) after that he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

Act 1:3 to whom he also showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God:

Covenant theology has three major covenants.

(1) The covenant of redemption © a prehistoric agreement

between the members of the Trinity. The idea of a bargain between God the

Father and God the Son is blasphemous. It implies that they did not trust

each other; that God did not have enough virtue to depend on the other

members of the Trinity.

(2) The covenant of works © made by God with Adam in the

Garden of Eden. In this covenant, God put Adam under probation, offering

eternal life to Adam, if he passed the test. This rejects the omniscience

of God.

(3) The covenant of grace © after the fall of man, God made

a covenant with the elect, and Christ represents the elect. They say that

God promises to give His Holy Spirit to those ordained to eternal life, in

order to make them willing and able to believe in Christ. There is no

Biblical basis for this at all. This is the false doctrine of common and

efficacious grace.

Edenic Covenant first contract. It was conditional. Adam was promised life and blessing, or death and cursing based on his volitional choice.

Adamic Covenant. Made with Adam after the fall. (Gen 3:16-19) Unconditonal. God declares to man what his lot in life will be.

Noahic Covenant, Gen 6:18, 8:21-9:17 says that the seed of the

woman, the humanity of Christ, will come through Seth, and his son Noah, and

his son Shem.

a. Gen 6:18, "I will establish My covenant with you, and you will

enter the ark." This is an interesting twist, for until God gave Noah a

covenant, Noah wouldn't even enter the ark.

b. In the post-diluvian part of the covenant (after the Flood had

subsided), God promised never again to destroy the human race by a flood.

This is a promise to the entire human race, and that never again in human

history will the population of the earth be reduced to eight people. It also established the principles for human government. Gen 8:22, 9:2)

Abrahamic Covenant Unconditional Gen 12:1-4, 13:14-17, 15:1-7 17:1-8. Promise that Abraham would have numerous posterity, Gen 17:16, Much personal blessing. (Gen 13:14-15, 15:6 24:34-35 to name a few examples. That his name would be great Gen 12:2 Also that from Abraham a great nation would emerge. Gen 12:2. To this nation promise of the land Gen 12:7. Through Abraham blessing would come to the entire world. Gen 12:3

The Mosaic Covenant. Conditional. In this covenant was the promise from God that if Israel was obedient God would bless them but if not God would curse them and discipline them

The Palestinian Covenant Is unconditional regarding Israel’s final possession of the land. Includes Israel’s dispersion for disbelief, and disobedience. Gen 15:13.

Davidic Covenant. Is unconditional where God promises David an unending linage, a throne, and a kingdom. All of them forever. Jehovah reserves the right to interrupt this covenant for disobedience when discipline is required but the covenant will be fulfilled. This covenant is not fulfilled by Christ reigning on a throne in heaven, because David has never and will never sit on the fathers throne. It is rather a earthly kingdom and a earthly throne. Matt 25:31.

The new Covenant. Guarantees all that God purposes to do for men on the ground of the blood of Christ.

A. He will save, preserve, and present in heaven conformed to his Son, all who believed on Christ. This covenant is unconditional and is a contract made with the saved. John 5:24, 6:37, 10:28.

B. The future deliverance of Israel. Is 27:9, Ezk 37:23, Rom 11:26-27.

The Covenant to Jeremiah, or The New Covenant to Israel.œ

1. The basic Scripture for this covenant is Jer 31:31-34. Ë

Ë"`Behold,

the days are coming,' declares the Lord, `when I will make a new covenant

with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant

I made with their fathers [Mosaic Law] in the day that I took them by the

hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke,

although I was a husband to them,' declares the Lord. `But this is the

covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days

[Tribulation],' declares the Lord. `I will put My law within them and on their right lobes I will write it; and I will be their God and they shall be

My people. And they shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and each

man his brother saying, "Know the Lord," for they shall all know Me [in the

Millennium], from the least of them to the greatest of them,' declares theÜ^

Lord, `for I will forgive their iniquity,(happened right now) and their sin I will remember no

more.'"Ë

Only two dispensations speak of both the least and the

greatest having the same privileges and opportunities: the Church Age,

where the least and the greatest have identical portfolio of invisible

assets, and in the Millennium all will know the Lord.

?A. The Panorama of the Millennium.œ

1. The millennium is promised to Israel in the Davidic covenant, 2 Sam 7:8©17, Ps 89:20©37.

2nd Samuel 7 7 Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.”

4 But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leadersa of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. (When our guilt is poured out on him) he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. 15 But I will not takeb my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me;c your throne shall be established forever. 17 In accordance with all these words and with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

10

Isaiah 60:21 Your people shall all be righteous;

they shall possess the land forever.

They are the shoot that I planted, the work of my hands,

so that I might be glorified.

22 The least of them shall become a clan,

and the smallest one a mighty nation;

I am the Lord;

in its time I will accomplish it quickly.

11

2. The millennium is prophesied in Isa 2, 11, 12, 35, 60©65.

3. The millennium is presented during the first Advent of Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ

presented the conditions of the perfect environment that would exist during the millennium in the

Sermon on the Mount.

4. The millennium is postponed by the rejection of Christ as the Son of David and the

legitimate Messiah. In its place, we have the calling out of the royal family of God©©the Church

Age believer.

5. The millennium is plagiarized by Satan's attempt to create perfect environment on the

earth, not only during the Church Age, but especially in the Tribulation.

6. The millennium is proclaimed by angelic heralds in Rev 10 and by human heralds in

Rev 11.

7. The millennium is provided by the Second Advent of Christ, Rev 11:15©19, Rev 19.

?B. General Characteristics of the Millennium that Provide Perfect Environment.œ

1. Salvation continues to be presented to the new population of the millennium.

Evangelism reaches its peak during the millennium. The millennium starts out with believers only

who are good parents and establishment oriented. Yet many of their children turn out to be

unbelievers. There is a giant population explosion, Ezek 20:34-38; Mt 25:31-46. Unbelievers are

removed by the baptism of fire. Therefore, there is the need to repopulate the earth. Human love

is intensified to the point of perfection, and this is manifest by the population explosion.

2. Spiritually in the millennium is by the filling of the Spirit and is characterized by

ecstatics. There will be optimum spirituality among believers, Isa 65:24; Joel 2:28-29; Zech

14:16-17. Ecstatics are produced by the filling of the Holy Spirit; this is legitimate because Christ

is present on earth. By way of contrast, there are no ecstatics during the Church Age since Christ

is absent. During the Church Age, the filling of the Spirit is designed to produce the character of

the humanity of Christ, compare Eph 5:1 with Gal 6:19, 5:22©23. In the Millennium, the filling of

the Holy Spirit has an effect on the body which it does not have at present.

3. Perfect environment exists because Satan is bound and demons are removed.

4. Because Satan and demons are removed, there is no religion in the Millennium.

Religion is part of human good and evil. It combines the functions of human good with evil.

5. The baptism of fire removes all unbelievers from the earth at the beginning of the

millennium, (Jewish unbelievers) Ezek 20:34©38; (Gentile unbelievers) Mt 25:31©46.

6. Jesus Christ will rule the earth.

a. There is universal peace, Ps 46:9; Isa 2:4ff; Hos 2:18; Micah 4:3. Therefore,

until the Millennium we must be prepared for war.

b. There is universal prosperity, Ps 72:7, 16. Free enterprise will operate

worldwide. Competition from motivation and profit will exist, creating a perfect economy.

c. There will be universal knowledge of God, Isa 11:9; Jer 31:31©34; Heb 8:14,

10:15©17. You have the option of the spiritual life or not.

d. There will be longevity in the human race, Isa 65:20. There will be perfect

health, so that people will have capacity for perfect environment (but this is not the same as

capacity for life). The only reason people will die is capital punishment. No disease.ŒÑ

JÃ e. There will be a perfect world government under the leadership of Christ and the

delegation of authority to invisible heroes of the Church Age to rule nations, Isa 11:1-2; Zech

14:9; 2 Tim 2:12; Rev 2:25©28, 3:21, 5:10, 20:4,6.

(1) Mature believers of the Church Age will rule with Christ.

(2) Rev 2:26, "Furthermore, the winner [believer], even the person who

keeps My accomplishments [the function of Jesus Christ in the execution of the prototype spiritual

(3) Rev 2:28, "Furthermore, I will give to him the order of the morning

star."

f. There will be a tremendous population explosion, so that by the end of the

millennium there will exist many unbelievers on the earth who have rejected the gospel and who

will have joined the Gog revolution of Satan against the rule of Jesus Christ even though there is

perfect objectivity in the administration of justice, Isa 11:3-4; Ps 72:12-14.

g. Israel is regathered and restored as a client nation, Isa 5:26-30, 10:19-23,

7. There will be perfect environment in nature.

a. Creation is released from the bondage of man's sinfulness, Rom 8:19-22.

c. Animals lose their ferocity, Isa 11:6-9, 65:25.

he is descended under the tribe of Judah, not Levi. This is why the new covenant to the Church is

so important, because Jesus Christ is a high priest forever on the basis of Melchizedek, Ps 110:4.

?D. The Gog Revolution terminates the perfect environment of the Millennium, Rev

20:7-10.œ Satan is released from prison after one thousand years and immediately starts a

revolution to overthrow our Lord's reign. Satan does not attempt to improve the environment in

this revolution; this is simply a power grab. This revolution proves that perfect environment is

not the solution to man's problem of the old sin nature and spiritual death. Only those who are

regenerate can appreciate perfect environment and the One who provides it. Regeneration is the

only solution to man's problem. The universe is destroyed and a new heaven and earth is created,

2 Pet 3:7©10.

?

What proofs of his resurrection did he show his Apsotles?

Proof 1

Luke 24:38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart?

Luke 24:39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: examine me, and see; for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see me having.

Proof 2

Luke 24:41 And while they still disbelieved for they were overwhelmed with emotion, he said unto them, Have you here anything to eat?

Luke 24:42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish.

Luke 24:43 And he took it, and ate before them.

“Now their was about this time Jesus a wise man.” “ If it be lawful to call him a man.” “For he was a doer of wonderful works.” “He was the Christ.” “And when Pilate by the suggestion of men among us condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive after the third day. As the divine prophets had foretold and of ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him.” And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct today.”

Josephus- The antiquities of the Jews Page 480

Act 1:4 and, being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me:

Act 1:5 for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.

Act 1:6 They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?

When looking at verse six you have to do a little digging into the past in order to understand what the Apsotles were asking. You cant just say, “Well the awnser is in the Greek.”

We know they are asking about a Kingdom. What Kingdom? In 1 Samuel 19:31, 2 Samuel 1-24 and other passages lies the written down record of the reign of David.

Act 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within His own authority.

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Notice all the Christians of that day were to witness to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. When they didn’t get moving, God brought persecution. This got most Christians to get moving, except the Apsotles. (Acts 8:1)

Samething happened in Genesis. Noah and his sons were supposed to be fruitful and multiply but instead they stayed and tried to create a tower to heaven.

Gen 9:7 And you,859 be ye fruitful,6509 and multiply;7235 bring forth abundantly8317 in the earth,776 and multiply7235 therein.

Gen 11:4 And they said,559 Go to,3051 let us build1129 us a city5892 and a tower,4026 whose top7218 may reach unto heaven;8064 and let us make6213 us a name,8034 lest6435 we be scattered abroad6327 upon5921 the face6440 of the whole3605 earth.776

Subsequently God changed their language and they were scattered.

Act 1:9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Act 1:10 And while they were looking steadfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

Act 1:11 who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.

Notice these verses and compare them with Thessalonians. (Chapter four, verses 16&17)

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;

1Th 4:17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

What is different about the verses in first Thessalonians chapter four, verses sixteen and seventeen, and Acts Chapter one verse eleven?

The difference is in Acts the Angel said that the same Jesus that ascended from the Mount of Olives, would descend back to the Mount of Olives.

In Thessalonians we are snatched up in the air.

Now the Posttribulationists say that we will meet him in the air to join him, just to descend back to the earth as he sets up his kingdom.

Quoting D.R. Constable; “A meeting in the air is pointless unless the saints continue with him to heaven.”

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

½John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that

The verse are describing two different events.

1. The coming for the saints

2. The coming with the saints

So to review what we’ve covered so far,

Act 1:9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Act 1:10 And while they were looking steadfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

Act 1:11 who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.

Act 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey off.

“ A Sabbath day’s journey” which was less than a mile, kept people pretty close to their location.

That is they all camped out pretty close to the temple during the feast days.

If you can, picture the Mount of Olives covered with people camped out in their tents.

There were possibly several hundred thousand of them, camped out, at the time of the feasts.

Act 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both 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.

Act 1:14 These all with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Act 1:15 And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together, about a hundred and twenty),

Act 1:16 Brethren, it was needful that the Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.

Act 1:17 For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry.

Act 1:18 (Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Let me just say that Judas sold Christ out for money. However, how many churches do that today? How many Churches are more impressed by numbers and a public show, than learning the truth of the word of God?

How many Churches would rather pull out the calculator and tally up the percentage of income you’re giving, rather than lending a helping hand.

How many people sell out Christ’s work on the cross by thinking somehow there is something they can add to the already finished gift of salvation.

If I buy you a car as a gift, you may speed in it. You may wreck it. You may never wash it, or vacuum it.

You may use the trunk as another extended closet for your junk. At the end of the day the once I sign that title to you it’s yours.

You may not appreciate the car but the car is yours.

That analogy can only go so far but the samething goes for salvation

Eternal is defined in the American Heritige dictionary as, “Being without beginning or end” “Infinite” Changeless.

John 3:15 says whoever Believes in him should not perish but has eternal life

Greek word for believe is pisteuo? Means to think to be true, to be persuaded, to place confidence in.

So whosoever thinks it’s true, is persuaded, or places confidence in the facts of salvation, shall never perish but have eternal, never changing life. A life that has no beginning and no end.

In the account of given in Matthew 27:5, compared to Acts 1:16:25 there seems to be a discrepancy. Remember Judas was said to have thrown the money at them. However consider that “It was not lawful to take into the temple treasury for the purchase of sacred things, money that had been unlawfully gained. In such case the Jewish law provided that the money was to be restored to the donor, and, if he insisted on giving it that he should be induced to spend if for something for the public benefit. By fiction the money was still considered Judas’s and was spent to buy the “Potters field.”

As for the other discrepancy. Matthew says he hung himself. He probably did that with his belt and when it snapped he hit headlong and his bowels gushed out.

Act 1:19 And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.)

Act 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be made desolate, And let no man dwell therein: and, His office let another take.

Peter quotes psalms 69:25 because he saw similarities between how unjust David’s enemies were treating him and how unjust Christ was treated.

He goes on to quote Psalms 109:8 to justify his desire to replace Judas. Why did he desire to replace Judas?

Jesus did promise twelve disciples would sit on 12 thrones in the messianic kingdom.

Act 1:21 Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,

Act 1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection.

Act 1:23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

Act 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen,

Act 1:25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.

Act 1:26 And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Notice God commanded the Apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit. However they got inpatient and took it upon themselves to elect another Apostle.

Matthias I believe was not the twelf Apsotle. Peter and the others were not lead by the Holy Spirit, because he hadn’t come yet.

Matthias isn’t even mentioned again in scripture after this chapter. I believe the Apostle Paul is the twelfth Apostle. Chosen by Jesus Christ just like the other eleven were.

H.A. Ironside points out that the Apostle Paul is never mentioned in connection with the other apostles. He feels there are twelve Apostles apart from the Apostle Paul.

It is true that the casting of lots was done in the Old Testament. Proverbs says (Proverbs 16:33) The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.”

Ironside says that twelve is the perfect number of Adminstration. Example twelve tribes of Judah.

However if Matthias was a Apostle that would make the number 13. (Not on earth since one of the Apostles died as a martyr before Paul’s ministry. So I don’t understand his reasoning there.

He goes on to site Acts Chapter 2 verse 14 which reads: “Peter standing up with the eleven.” And in chapter 6: “The twelve called the multitude.”

However is Luke using the number twelve to mean the twelve leaders (eleven legitimate one not.) or does he mean that Matthias was an Apostle.

I tend to think that the twelfth Apostle was chosen by Christ just as the other eleven were.

Paul was chosen by Christ. “Saul why do you persecute me?” Matthias in my mind wasn’t

It is a question we may never know while we are still on earth. All we can do is make an educated decision.

However is Matthias is the twelfth Apostle then does the Apostle Paul get left out as one of the twelve who rules in the kingdom?

Ø The book of Luke and Acts are a two volume set written to Theopholis. (Friend of God)

1. that record history in narrative form,

2. He showed how the plans and purposes of God

Were working out through history.

3. Third, Luke evidently had an apologetic purpose in writing.

3. The outline for the book of Acts is in Chapter one, verse eight. Jesus commanded the Apostles to take the gospel from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth.

4. IN mark 16:15 the word all is recorded twice basically saying go to every part to herald, the good news to everyone.

5. A Herald is someone who would proclaim, announce, news for the king.

6. Water Baptism is not necessary for salvation. The only thing that is expected from God of you in order to get salvation is a belief, trust, that Jesus is Messiah and will deliver you to heaven.