Acts 1:1-5

Introduction

ESV Bible introduction:

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

John MacArthur Acts Commentary Introduction:

The book of Acts is the first volume of church history. It records the story of the church from its explosive beginning on the Day of Pentecost to the imprisonment at Rome of its greatest missionary. During those three decades, the church expanded from a small group of Jewish believers gathered in Jerusalem to embrace thousands in dozens of congregations throughout the Roman world. Acts describes how the Spirit of God superintended, controlled, and empowered the expansion of the church. Indeed, the book could well be called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit Through the Apostles.”

Acts is a significant book for several reasons. With the epistles, but without Acts, we would have much difficulty understanding the flow of the early history of the church. With it, we have a core history around which to assemble the data in the epistles, enriching our comprehension of them. The book follows first the ministry of Peter, then of Paul. From it we learn principles for discipling believers, building the church, and evangelizing the world.

Although a work of history, not theology, Acts nevertheless emphasizes the doctrinal truths concerning salvation. Jesus of Nazareth is boldly proclaimed as Israel’s long-awaited Messiah, and that truth is ably defended from the Old Testament, sections in 2:22, 3:12, 4:10, 7:1, 8:26, 13:14, and in verses 9:22, 18:5, 18:24-28, and 28:23.

The book of acts also teaches much about the Holy Spirit, who is mentioned more than fifty times. He regenerates, baptizes, fills, and sanctifies believers. The Holy Spirit is seen choosing missionaries, 13:2, and directing their operations, 8:29. He presided at the first church council, 15:28, and, in short, directed and controlled all operations of the church.

The doctrinal importance of Acts is not limited, however, to its teaching on Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. While it does not flow around doctrinal issues, but historical events, it nevertheless touches many theological truths. Donald Guthrie aptly summarizes the theological significance of Acts: “The importance of the book of Act is in its preservation of the main doctrinal themes presented in apostolic preaching, even if there is no evidence of an attempt to develop a systematized theology”.

Notes on the authorship of Acts:

ESV Study bible:

Both the Gospel of Luke and Acts are anonymous, but the earliest discussions attribute them to Luke. The name “Luke” appears only three times in the New Testament: Colossians 4:14 “Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.”, 2 Timothy 4:4 “and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”, and Philemon 24 “and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.”. All three references are in epistles written by Paul from prison, and all three mention Luke’s presence with Paul.

The earliest discussion of the authorship of Luke and Acts is from Irenaeus, the bishop of Lyons in Gaul, writing in the late second century. He attributes the books to Luke, the coworker of Paul, and notes that the occurrence of the first-person narrative (“we”) throughout the later chapters of Acts (starting at 16:10) indicates that the author of Acts was a companion of Paul and present with him on these occasions. These “we” passages in Acts are the key to the authorship of both Acts and the Gospel of Luke.

Colossians 4:14 indicates that Luke was a physician, and attempts have been made to bolster Lukan authorship by arguing that Luke and Acts use technical medical language. This does not seem to be the case, as Luke seems to have avoided technical language in order to communicate plainly to his readers, but his detailed description of illnesses perhaps reflects his interests as a physician, see Acts 28:8. In addition, all the external evidence refers to Luke as the author.

Other than the three New Testament references, nothing certain is know of Luke. Early traditions link him with Antioch, but that is probably based on the reference in Acts 13:1 to “Lucius”, which is a Latin name. “Luke” is a Greek name, and both books are written in excellent Greek. His thorough acquaintance with the Old Testament may reflect that Luke was a converted God-fearer (a Gentile who attended the Jewish synagogue) or a Jewish proselyte (convert), though he could have gained his biblical knowledge after becoming a Christian.

The MacArthur commentary also added on the topic of authorship that “Because he is a relatively obscure figure, mentioned only three times in the New Testament (Colossians, 2 Timothy, and Philemon), it is unlikely that anyone would have forged a work to make it appear to be Luke’s. A forger surely would have attributed his work to a more prominent person.”

Notes on the date of writing from the MacArthur Acts commentary:

There are two schools of thought among evangelical scholars as to when Luke wrote Acts. Some hold he wrote while Paul was still living, probably near the end of his first imprisonment see Acts 28. Others date Acts between the fall of Jerusalem (A.D. 70) and Luke’s death (circa A.D. 85).

The main argument for the later date is Luke’s alleged use of Mark as a source for the gospel of Luke. Advocates of this view follow this line of reasoning: Mark was written after Peter’s death during Nero’s persecution. Luke’s gospel could not have been written until after that. And since Acts was written after Luke, it must be dated later still.

Although a discussion of the so-called Synoptic Problem is beyond the scope of this introduction, it should be noted that the priority of Mark has never been established. Serious objections to Luke’s dependance on Mark have been raised by competent scholars (see Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry’s A Harmony of the Gospels; and Eta Linnemann’s Is There a Synoptic Problem?) Unless this theory of Luke’s dependance on Mark can be established, the chief argument for a later date for Acts collapses. Synoptic in this context refers to the first three Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

There are good reason for believing Luke wrote Acts during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment. They may be summarized as follows:

First, that view best explains the abrupt ending of Acts. Luke stopped writing because he had brought events to the present, and he had no more to relate. Also, Acts ends on a note of triumph, with Paul proclaiming the gospel in Rome unhindered by the Roman authorities. That triumphant ending is difficult to comprehend if Acts were written following Paul’s death and the outbreak of the Neronian persecution.

Second, the Roman officials in Acts are tolerant of, if not favorable to, Christianity. That was certainly not the case after the outbreak of the Neronian persecution in A.D. 64. Johannes Munck writes further on this in “The Acts of the Apostles”:

“the only time when the picture of the Roman state’s originally friendly attitude toward the Christians would have been worth recalling to people’s minds was the time when it was still valid but in danger of being lost. And this means that it was the time of Paul’s trial, after he had made and appeal to the court of Caesar.”

Third, Luke does not mention the persecution initiated by Nero. Kistemaker remarks, “If Like had written Acts in the seventies, he would have done violence to his sense of historical integrity by not reflecting these cruel persecutions instigated by Nero”

Fourth, there is no mention in Acts of the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Luke’s silence is puzzling if that momentous event had already taken place, especially since “Luke in his gospel centres more attention on Jerusalem than do his fellow synoptists”. Similarly, his failure to mention the martyrdom of James, the brother of the Lord (A.D. 62 according to Josephus) is strange if he wrote afterward. Like certainly viewed the martyrdoms of the apostle James and Stephen as worthy of mention. Why not the head of the Jerusalem Church?

Fifth, the subject matter of Acts reflects the situation in the early days of the church. Such topics as the conflict between Jews and Gentiles, the inclusion of Gentiles in the church, and the Jewish dietary regulations (Acts 15) lost their urgency after the fall of Jerusalem. Similarly, Acts does not reflect the theological concerns of the latter decades of the first century.

Sixth, Luke reflects no familiarity with Paul’s epistles. that argues that Acts was written before the collection of Pauline epistles was widely circulated in the church.

Finally, and perhaps most significantly, Luke is silent about the further career of Paul. No mention is made in Acts of Paul’s travels after his release, his second imprisonment (though Luke was with him, see 2 Timothy 4:11), or his death. Yet Like devotes more than half of Acts to Paul’s ministry. Why would he not carry that theme through to tit triumphant completion if he knew more about the great apostle? These omission are best explained by the assumption that these events had not yet taken place when Luke wrote.

Notes on the content of Acts:

One third of the total text of Acts are speeches or sermons, there are ten major ones in Acts, three are by Peter in chapters 2, 3, and 10, one by Stephen in chapter 7, and six by Paul. Three of Paul’s are in defence when he is in Jerusalem and Caesarea, chapters 2, 3, and 10. The remaining three consist of one speech on each of Paul’s missionary journeys, each to a different type of peoples. First to the Jews on his first journey in chapter 13, next to the Gentiles on his second in chapter 17, and third to Christians on his third in chapter 20.

Acts is a small anthology of individual literary genres. The list includes hero story, adventure story, travel story, conversion story, and miracle story. It is said that Acts is structured on a cyclic principal in which a common pattern keeps getting repeated: First Christian leaders arise and preach the Gospel, second listeners are converted and added to the church, third opponents (often Jewish but sometimes Gentiles) begin to persecute the Christian leaders, and fourth God intervenes to rescue the leaders or otherwise protect the church. This pattern is most obvious in the first half of the book, it extends in modified form to the journeys of Paul, whose repeated buffetings are followed by the expansion of the church.

Read Luke 24:36-53 Acts 1:1-11

In verses one to eleven Luke summarizes what was written to Theophilus in his first book, The Gospel of Luke, and then continues on with the beginnings of the church doing what Christ commanded them to do, spread the gospel to the world.

1

Acts 1:1 “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,”

Nothing is known for certain about the man Theophilus, his name only appears here and in Luke 1:3 “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,” There are a few theories about who this man could have been. That Luke calls him “most excellent Theophilus” in Luke 1 lead some to believe that he was a Roman official. Some say that he could have been a Christian that Luke was instructing, a pagan he was trying to persuade, or some have even argued that Theophilus was Paul’s lawyer for his hearing before the emperor, but that is all speculation. There was also mention that since “Theophilus” means “lover of God” it is also possible that Luke is “challenging the devotion of his readers rather than addressing his book to just one of them”. Luke says that in the first book he dealt with all that Jesus “began” to do and teach. Jesus’ earthly ministry and work are both complete and continuing. His work of providing and ensuring redemption and salvation to all that God has called is completely completed and will never have to be repeated. His work of instruction, teaching, and giving the good news to all the world started with his life and the teaching of the apostles but has not, and will not be over until his second coming and the reaping of all his good and faithful servants. This work continues, as he tells Theophilus, and all of us that has come after him, of the work of the Apostles spreading and growing the church of Christ and their deeds and sufferings. This is what is meant by what Jesus began to do and teach.

2

Acts 1:2 “until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.”

The gospel of Luke ends, as we just read, with the ascension of Jesus back to heaven to be at the Fathers right hand to make intercession for all that are his. The last command that Jesus gives his apostles in Luke is that they are to remain in the city “until you are clothed with power from on high”. The word translated power from this verse in Luke is dynamis, which is where we derive the word dynamite from, it means a deed of power or supernatural power. I would like to pause this line of thought for a moment and group it with verses 4 and 5, but first verse 3.

3

Acts 1:3 “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.”

After the resurrection of Jesus and before he is taken back up into heaven, Jesus presented himself to many people, 1 Corinthians 15:5–8 “and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” and gave them many proofs of his resurrected form, as we read in Luke they touched him, he ate with them, and talked with them face to face. Jesus during his ministry told all of the apostles that he would die and on the third day rise again, at every turn they did not get what he was saying or even rebuked him, Matthew 16:21–23 “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”” They all scattered when he was arrested and only John was there at his crucifixion. Even when they were told that he was raised from the tomb they doubted. Jesus presented himself to them alive to give the apostles confidence to present His message, that he was indeed the Christ and the God man with the power to lay down his life and the power to take it up again. He presented himself to them so they would be first hand seers of the risen Christ and for forty days the risen Lord taught about the kingdom of God, about salvation through himself with faith that he has indeed taken the punishment of sin for his people.

As a side note how many significant times do we see 40 in the bible?

The Flood (Genesis 7-8): Rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights.

Embalming Joseph (Genesis 50:3): 40 days were required for the embalming process.

Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18, 34:28): Moses spent two separate 40-day periods receiving God's law.

Spies in Canaan (Numbers 13:25): The scouts searched the land for 40 days.

40 Years of Wilderness Wandering (Numbers 14:34): The Israelites wandered for one year for every day the spies searched the land.

Maximum Lashes (Deuteronomy 25:3): The legal limit for whipping was 40 stripes.

40 Years of Rest/Judgment (Judges): Various periods of peace or servitude lasted 40 years.

Goliath's Taunt (1 Samuel 17:16): The Philistine giant taunted Israel for 40 days.

Elijah's Journey (1 Kings 19:8): Elijah traveled 40 days to Mount Horeb.

Ezekiel's Symbolic Act (Ezekiel 4:6): Ezekiel lay on his side for 40 days to represent 40 years of Judah's sin.

Jonah and Nineveh (Jonah 3:4): Nineveh was given 40 days to repent.

Jesus' Temptation (Matthew 4:2, Mark 1:13): Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and nights.

Post-Resurrection Appearances (Acts 1:3): Jesus appeared to his disciples for 40 days before ascending.

4-5

Acts 1:4–5 “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; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.””

From Luke 24:49 “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”” and continuing from verse 2, Jesus commanded his apostles to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father, which is the baptizing of them with the Holy Spirit. Why does Jesus command them to wait to carry out what he also commanded them to do? Wait to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth? Because without the Holy Spirit with us, in us, and guiding us, all of man’s work is useless as far as spiritual matters are concerned. This also isn’t just a New Testament promise, in the Old Testament God make us this promise, God’s promise for all who come into the New Covenant, Ezekiel 36:25–27 “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” God will cause us to walk in his statutes and obey his rules through the Holy Spirit in is. Jesus also does not let them be waiting for very long, as he promises them, “not many days from now”. We will get much deeper into this in chapter 2 but just ten days later at the day of Pentecost this promise of the Holy Spirit comes, Acts 2:1–4 “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Right after this we get the record of Peter’s powerful, Spirit filled sermon to all the men of Judea and Jerusalem. And after that the rest of the Acts of the apostles starts to flourish and bloom, the Holy Spirt has come, and with the promised power that Luke wrote about in Luke 24:49