Acts 2 Part 2
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Dispensationalism:
Dispensationalism is an evangelical theological system that originated in early nineteenth-century England and Ireland, quickly gaining popularity in the United States[1]. It interprets the Bible and human history as a series of distinct ages or “dispensations” where God administers the world according to different divine purposes[1][2]. The theology has three core elements: a distinction between Israel and the church, a literal-grammatical interpretation of biblical texts, and a focus on promoting God’s glory[1]. Most dispensationalists recognize seven dispensations, which were popularized by the Scofield Reference Bible, including eras such as innocence, conscience, human government, promise, law, grace, and a future millennial kingdom[1][3]. Critically, dispensationalists believe in two distinct peoples of God (Israel and the church), maintain that salvation has always been by faith, and assert that God’s promises to Israel will be ultimately fulfilled in a future 1000-year period[4]. Key emphases include literal Scripture interpretation, especially of prophecy, and a belief in a pretribulation rapture of the church before a seven-year tribulation[3].
[1] Gary Scott Smith, American Religious History: Belief and Society through Time [3 Volumes] (New York, NY: ABC-CLIO, 2020), 127.
[2] Douglas Mangum, The Lexham Glossary of Theology (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
[3] Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson, “Dispensationalism,” in A Concise Dictionary of Theological Terms (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2020), 48.
[4] Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002–2013).
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come 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. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.
In the 19th century, the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad was filled with delays, accidents, and disheartening setbacks. Workers toiled under difficult conditions, but they held onto the promise that their hard work would one day connect the nation from coast to coast. When the last spike was driven in Utah in 1869, the nation marveled at what patience and perseverance had achieved. This echoes our journey of faith, where waiting on God's promise can sometimes feel arduous, yet the destination of His will is always worth the wait.
Notice that God’s desire is for the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
What Old Testament book and chapter were the disciples inquiring about as they stood at the foot of Mt. Olive with Jesus?
Zechariah 14.
The disciples naturally assumed that the Old Testament promises of Israel’s conversion and restoration were about to be fulfilled. However, Jesus did not deny the kingdom’s connection to Israel, but instead told them that the full program of God was not for them to know. He redirected them to be witnesses throughout the world instead of focusing on prophetic timelines.
What was the power that the Holy Ghost would give the disciples?
Boldness to preach the gospel.
Power to work miracles.
Courage to stand in the face of oppression.
Strength to endure persecutions.
The Greek word here, we have seen before in this class is δύναμις (dynamis) where we get the English word Dynamo.
A Dynamo is an electrical generator, one that generates or creates power. How that power is utilized is solely on the user rather than the source.
Notice now the Geography that Jesus gives as instruction to His disciples.
Jerusalem — The Metropolis (Their home city)
Judea — Larger part of the land of Israel.
Samaria — The Undesired place for Jews.
Uttermost Part of the earth — Everywhere in the world.
What do you find interesting about the progression of the locations Jesus gives?
It starts in their own city before it spreads out.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: The Faith of the First Christians (Acts 1)
As Dr. Oswald J. Smith used to say, “The light that shines the farthest will shine the brightest at home.”
Do not expect that you will bold witness for Christ as a missionary if you are not first a witness for Christ in your own city.
Who were the men in white apparel?
Angels.
Where else have we seen two angels?
At the tomb of Jesus after His resurrection.
Luke wrote about two angels at the tomb of Jesus in Luke 24:4.
4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
What did the angels assure the disciples would happen?
Jesus would return just like He ascended.
Did Jesus ascend bodily?
Yes.
It is important to note that Jesus ascended bodily, because there are a lot of people who will teach that Jesus was simply a spirit and that after His resurrection He was only a spirit.
Jesus arose from the grave bodily. Did His body change? Yes. So will our bodies as they will put on incorruption.
If Jesus ascended bodily, and He will return in like manner, what does that mean?
Jesus will physically return bodily.
What else is important regarding Jesus’ ascension and return?
It was public.
There is a lot of false teaching regarding Jesus and His return.
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
The first and second resurrection can be found in Rev 20:4-15.
What I find very interesting about the body of Jesus after His resurrection is that His glorified state bares the marks of the cross.
By the way, in case you missed it, Jesus is coming again and very soon.
What was the first thing the disciples did when they returned to Jerusalem?
Pray. More importantly, they prayed together.
What was the purpose of their supplication?
That God would reveal to them the one who would take Judas’ place.
Notice an important phrase: “with one accord”.
This phrase will appear six times in the book of Acts: 1:14, 2:1, 2:46, 4:24, 5:12, 15:25.
What two Psalms does Peter quote?
Psalm 69:25 & Psalm 109:8.
25 Let their habitation be desolate; And let none dwell in their tents.
8 Let his days be few; And let another take his office.
What were the qualifications of ordaining a new apostle to join the twelve?
Be a disciple of Christ from the very beginning of His ministry — The Baptism of John to the ascension. They also had to be an eyewitness of the resurrection.
What does the word Apostle mean?
It means: sent one, ambassador, or messenger.
So do all these qualifications apply to all apostles?
No, in fact later some that were sent out from the church on special missions would be declared apostles.
Paul and Barnabas were called apostles.
Paul himself did state that he was not one of the twelve. Which was significant that there were no other apostles that held the same position of the twelve apostles as they held leadership positions in the church.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
One being part of the ministry of the apostleship means they are also partaking of the ‘gift’ of the miracle working power of the Holy Spirit.
What is the casting of lots?
This would be performed with two rock like objects with markings and would be shaken up into a jar and released.
I feel like I am describing Yahtzee.
The stones would have markings and the outcome of the lots being cast would determine the result.
It was believed that God was guiding the outcome.
Why do we not practice the casting of lots today?
We have the Holy Spirit.
After Pentecost the church moved away from the practice of casting lots as they would rely on prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Who was chosen to be one of the twelve apostles?
Matthias.
I feel like in our modern day Christianity that the person who was not chosen would be disgruntled but that does not seem to be the case here as it is not mentioned. And Justus
Joseph Barsabbas Justus was an early disciple of Christ who was a candidate to replace Judas Iscariot as an apostle. He was one of two qualified candidates who had accompanied Jesus from his baptism until his ascension and had witnessed the resurrection. However, when lots were cast, Matthias was chosen instead of Justus[1][2][3].
After this brief moment in the biblical narrative, Justus disappeared from historical records. However, this obscurity is not viewed as a failure in Christian tradition. Instead, his potential continued loyalty as a “backbencher” in the church could be seen as a demonstration of commitment to serving a higher purpose, even when not chosen for a prominent role[3][4]. Despite not being part of the inner circle of disciples, Justus had been faithful throughout Jesus’ ministry, withstanding harassment and remaining steadfast through the crucifixion and resurrection[4]. Interestingly, a later mention in Colossians references a Justus (also called Jesus) who was a fellow worker for the Kingdom of God and a comfort to Paul during his imprisonment in Rome, though it’s unclear if this is the same person[5].
[1] Scott Hahn, ed., Catholic Bible Dictionary (New York; London; Toronto; Sydney; Auckland: Doubleday, 2009), 474.
[2] John Gillman, “Justus (Person),” in The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, ed. David Noel Freedman (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 1134.
[3] Peter Atkinson et al., A Way of Putting It: Sermons of Peter Atkinson (Durham, UK: Sacristy Press, 2023), 116–117.
[4] Francis H. Wade, Biblical Fracking: Midrash for the Modern Christian (Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock, 2019).
[5] David Mandel, The Ultimate Who’s Who in the Bible (Alachua, FL: Bridge-Logos, 2007), 398.
