Acts 1-1:6-11

The Background

Acts 1:1–3 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.

Luke originally wrote to Theophilus his first letter, the Gospel of Luke. This contained the things that Luke considered important in telling Theophilus so that he may believe in Jesus Luke 1:3–4 “3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” The books of Luke and Acts were written within ten years of each other, 80-90 AD

Luke begins setting this letter by describing several different events that happened in the last forty days Jesus was on Earth

The Promise of the Spirit

Acts 1:4–8 ESV

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.”

What was different between John’s baptism and the Holy Spirit’s baptism? First, John’s included water and was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Second, the Holy Spirit’s was not for forgiveness or repentance, but for the impartment of power. vs. 4, 8. This would be prophesied in Joel 2:28–29 “28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29 Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.” This will be touched on more in chapter 2 but we see this as a promise from God. It began in Joel, then we see it first in the Testament with John the Baptist in Luke 3:15–16 “15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Jesus would also call the Holy Spirit the Comforter in John 14:26 “26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” The Holy Spirit was going to come and be a guide for this new church. Jesus would be ascended and the apostles would need direction from somewhere. The Spirit would then lead their paths, guide their minds, and remind them of the things that they would need to be reminded of.

The Ascension

Acts 1:9–11 ESV

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.”

The ascension is not just a normal part of the story in the Bible. Really, it was the finishing of the act that all mankind will one day partake of.

Jesus is described as being the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:20 “20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” The idea of the firstfruits is the initial harvest of what is grown. Beginning all the way with Abraham, where God planted the initial seed of a holy people, this would continue to be watered and tended to all the way to Jesus, where He would die, resurrect and ascend.

This act that we call the Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection, is then livable by us, not just spiritual, but physical as well. One day all people will die. One day all will resurrect. 1 Corinthians 15:20-24

1 Corinthians 15:20–24 ESV

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.

1 Corinthians 15:44–49 ESV

44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

One day all that are faithful will be transformed and meet Him in the sky. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 “16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

Judas’ Replacement

After his betrayal of Jesus, Judas ended his own life Acts 1:18-19. Peter was standing before the other disciples which were about 120 people and quoted two scripture in vs. 20: Psalm 69:25 “25 May their camp be a desolation; let no one dwell in their tents.” and Psalm 109:8 “8 May his days be few; may another take his office!” These prophecies were concerning Judas and what would happen to his position as an apostle. Could Judas have repented? Yes. But instead he took his life and his position needed to be filled.

Tow men were put forth to fill Judas’ position: Acts 1:23 “23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.” These were not just random men, the had to fulfill certain qualifications to be an apsotle, the only ones read about in scripture.

Had to be present for Jesus’ baptism.

Had to have journeyed with the group the entirety of Jesus’ ministry.

Had to have witnessed the resurrection.

Had to witness the ascension.

This led to the list being a very exclusive list. Not everyone or anyone could be on it, so it was left to choose between two people. It’s not known if these were the only two eligible, but it was the only two put forth.

This chapter ends with the disciples praying and casting lots. They knew this was a very important decision, so they wanted the providence of God to take its place when casting lots. Acts 1:24–26 “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.”