Acts Bible Study - 1/27/2020
Study of Acts 2021 • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction:
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Last week we went through the 1st 8 verse of Acts Chapter 1. We discussed how Jesus explained the role of His Followers in light of the Kingdom and spent time talking about service to God. That theme continues into the next few verses so join me as we jump into Acts Chapter 1. We will begin reading in Verse 9.
Present for the Ascension
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.
As if the other miracles which had been demonstrated by Jesus were not enough, the disciples are now witnesses of His Ascension. It is my impression that the Ascension is something that is usually glossed over, especially by “Casual Christians”. But its is important in understanding the work of the Son. His disciples being witnesses to every aspect of His humanity and divinity.
They saw Jesus minister on earth by going out to the people and preaching the Kingdom of God. They saw Him caring for their individuals needs (i.e. healing the sick, feeding the hungry, etc.). They saw Him go to the Cross and physically die. This showed the sacrifice that was sufficient for the atonement for sin.
They saw Jesus physically resurrected. This showed the power in which Jesus possessed and provided the validity & hope of immortality. Now they have become witnesses of Jesus rising into the Heavens showing that His power was not confined to this world and gives a glimpse at His Divinity.
God’s Word says a “cloud received Him”. We see this being a common theme throughout the Old Testament. God revealing Himself is often associated with clouds. There are several places where you see the tie in between God & Clouds but consider just these handful of verses:
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
1 The burden of Egypt. Behold, the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: And the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, And the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.
The attachment to God & the clouds are not limited to the Old Testament either. Besides the present text you can recall at Jesus’ transfiguration a cloud played a role.
33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. 34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. 35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
But we find in these verses in Acts that Jesus was not the only Heavenly being that was present. Acts tells us that when Jesus ascended, His followers were standing there just gazing at the sky & there were two men standing there in white clothing. Now it is universally accepted at least amongst most Christians & Bible Scholars that these two men were in fact angels. Who they were is not nearly as important as what they proclaimed. It is also important to highlight how they said what they said.
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.
This SAME Jesus will come in like manner. That is there to remind us of the physical resurrected and ascension. Not just a spiritual one. Not just a state of consciousness that transitioned to a higher plane. They physical, literal, living Christ had ascended and to Heaven and that same being would return. The disciples who spent a lot of the time uncertain about the future all of sudden got a clear perspective on what to expect. Jesus would come back!
This also may be citing Zechariah 14 because we find in the next verse they were on the Mount of Olives.
4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, Which is before Jerusalem on the east, And the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, And there shall be a very great valley; And half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, And half of it toward the south. 5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; For the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: Yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah: And the Lord my God shall come, And all the saints with thee.
Yet another place which Jesus fulfills prophecy. Now, if we were to stop here for a moment I would ask myself a couple of questions. Jesus has ministered to the people, He has more than proven His deity, why ascend to Heaven? What is the purpose of this step? Well firstly, it is because that is how God designed it. But if you are like me you can not leave it at that - God is still working on me because He knows I ask tons of questions.
This is the prime place where faith is needed. With Jesus in Heaven there is hope of His return. If He would have ended it all at that point, there would have been a virtually non existent window for people to exercise faith. For the Christian, we look for the 2nd Coming of Christ. To the atheist, agnostic, or pagan His return offers nothing. Jesus being in Heaven gives the Follower of Christ the opportunity to live by faith and serve as witnesses to Jesus. He is interceding for us in Heaven, so we should be advocating for Him here. We should be proclaiming His truths and winning souls.
2. The Beginnings of a Worship Service
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Notice they immediately obeyed the direction of Jesus and returned to Jerusalem. Luke Chapter 24 would add that not only did they return to Jerusalem but they did so with “great joy”.
Just as a side note, I like this unit of measure “Sabbath Day’s Journey”. Depending on what resource you use it can mean anywhere from a half of a mile to three fifths of a mile. According to the Mishna which was a collection of volumes of Jewish teachings and is referred to as the Oral Torah indicates that this Sabbath Day’s Journey was the longest distance a Jewish person was permitted to walk without breaking the Sabbath. The Mishna asserts that the distance was three fifths of a mile.
But Jesus’ disciples immediately heeded His command to return to Jerusalem to begin their work. Luke is very specific on who was present as you will notice he listed the remaining 11 of the 12 original Apostles, minus Judas Iscariot of course. We also see the Jesus’ Mother and other women were present at this assembly. Acts 1:13 tells us that they went into an upper room. During this period of time most second floor rooms were large in Jerusalem so it would have offered enough space to gather. Luke, through movement of the Holy Spirit really broke down the setting so it is important that we not overlook it.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Notice there is no “rock star” of the group. There is no established leader or person who is at the center of this groups attention. God’s Word emphasizes that they prayed with one accord, they prayed together. Ordinary people with faith in an extraordinary God gathering to pray. The congregation gathered with diverse people. Those who believed from the beginning (i.e. Mary). Those who took some time before they had faith (Jesus’ earthly Brothers). Then of course, those who were called by Jesus and witnessed His abilities and came to faith (the other followers).
I point out the makeup of this congregation because this is an area where ego, pride, and the desire to control could have run amok. You have Jesus’ earthly family that could have claimed special position due to their tie to Jesus. You had His early followers that could have claimed seniority. Or they could have started pointing out each others faults like Jesus’ earthly brothers lack of faith, or Peter’s denial of Christ. Yet none them did that. The center of their fellowship was the risen Christ, and all of them adored and magnified Him. As it should be for every worship service of ours.
3. The Work Begins
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
It is important to recognize that prayer & worship came before work. Now was the time to begin to be the hands & feet of Christ and it appears that Peter was the one who stood up to lead that effort. He began referring to other believers as Brethren which is reminiscent of Jesus’ address to His Followers.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Though Peter is reference as a leader like figure it is important to recognize that he was never elevated higher than a human being. He was not beyond rebuke or above reproach. Consider Galatians:
11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
So, Peter was not the end all be all as some would claim, the Catholics for example. However, Peter is addressing this group and explains that the actions of Judas Iscariot had been foretold by scripture. As one commentator put it: “Peter interprets Judas’ betrayal of Jesus as, though evil, ultimately used by God for His purposes of saving sinners, since it led to Jesus’ sacrificial death. The Gospel of Luke’s depiction of Jesus shows how Jesus’ entire mission aligns with what was prophesied about Him.”
The first order of business for the group was the spot made vacant due to the death of Judas.
18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
It is interesting that in the modern Church it is so difficult to admit failure. It is difficult to fess up to the blemish that is so obvious. One of the things I love about God’s Word is that it does not just fill us with the positives. There was a clear issue that needed to be dealt with due to a person’s, that person being Judas, sinfulness.
Jerusalem knew this, so it was important that it was dealt with properly. Sometimes the best testimony a Church can have is what they do when there is blatant sin among them.
The business that needed to be attended to is addressed in the latter half of Verse 20 which is citing Psalm 109.
8 Let his days be few; And let another take his office.
Peter also provides insight, by describing the actions of Judas, the differences between a backslider and an apostate. Peter found himself in the position of a backslider when he denied Jesus during the time of Christ’s Crucifixion. However, Judas’ offenses were more severe and showed a complete regression and turn from Jesus. Consider the 1st Epistle of John.
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
What is the difference between the two? Judas did not have the faith to ask for forgiveness from Christ and know he could be restored. Sure, he tried to give the money back that he was given to betray Jesus but that was him trying to cover his sin. He did not confess it nor seek repentance for it. Then he is so self focused that he tried to judge himself by taking his own life.
Peter used Psalms to show how these actions were in fact fulfillment of scripture. Why did he use these Psalms? It was because they had been composed to share the fact that there were those who were David’s companions who became his enemies. That is how they now viewed Judas.
Conclusion:
To recap, even after they had witnessed Jesus ascending there were actions that can be observed in the Apostles lives that every single Christian should practice.
1st, they continued to obey God by going back to Jerusalem as instructed.
2nd, despite everything they had experienced personally and as a group, they went back joyfully to pray & worship Jesus.
3rd, prayer & worship came first then it was on to the tasks at hand.
We should daily obey God, rejoice in time of worship & prayer, & fulfill the work that needs to be done for the day. What is that work that every Christian is called to do?
On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait with the following inscription:
James Butler Bonham—no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom.
No literal portrait of Jesus exists either. But the likeness of the Son who makes us free can be seen in the lives of his true followers. That is our daily work, to live like Christ and share the Gospel.
Let’s Pray.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ac 1:16). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 404). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.