Acts 1


The Holy Spirit Promised; Charge to Witness in a Widening Area; Judas Replaced
Text Comments
.1 ¶ The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
.2  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
.3  To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
.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.

   1 - Former treatise Luke wrote Acts as well as the book that bears his name lu0102.
   2 - Apostles From apostoli meaning "those who are sent." In classical Greek it has been associated with sending off a ship although its use by the early church was apparently different. John used apostolos in translating Jesus' Aramaic words when He commissioned the disciples jn1316, lu0613. Compare re2114. Paul considered himself an apostle probably on the basis that he had been charged by Jesus on the road to Damascus ac2206.
   4 - Promise of the Father See lu2449, jn1416.
   5 - Baptized with the Holy Ghost This baptism provided the wisdom and guidance for witness. v.8. It is often misunderstood as being made unconscious, lying on the floor with body twitching and shaking. This was not what happened to those Jesus addressed. In fact Peter argued that the disciples were not drunk ac0213. I cannot judge the motives of those who practice what they call slaying by the spirit. I'm convinced that evil spirits, not the Holy Spirit, does this kind of work. Compare the description of spirit possession which Jesus dealt with and see the note at the bottom of that page mr0914.
.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.


6 - Restore the kingdom Jesus had told His followers, "My kingdom is not of this world." jn1836. He also gave many parables beginning like, "The kingdom of heaven is lilac. . . ." Yet they had a hard time giving up the idea that contemporary Israel would not rise up under the Messiah's power and overthrow the Romans.
   8 - Jerusalem and ... The order in which they shared the gospel was important.
   9 - Cloud received Him Verses 9 to 11 are important for understanding the manner of Christ's return. Also lu2450, mr1619.
  11 - Come in like manner He will not appear on a stage or anywhere else except in a cloud, re0107 and will not come all the way down to the earth 1th0417.
 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.
  12 - Returned They would have been joyful seeing their Lord taken up. They knew he would come again jn1401.
  12 - Olivet East of Jerusalem, between it and Bethany jn1118. See map.
  12 - Sabbath day's journey Here the distance from Olivet to Jerusalem. Compare – about 2 miles (3.2 km.). Probably the distance from the farthest tent of the wilderness camp to the tabernacle, perhaps based on nu3505. In certain cases the distance limit could be calculated differently to allow a person to get home. The Sabbath had been made a burden to the people instead of a joy. What is the principle of keeping the Sabbath? It's simple. Because God has made an appointment with us we want to be with Him. Shopping, entertainment, work, and other activities that would take our focus off of Christ are breaking the Sabbath is5813.
  13 - An upper room Rather, "the upper room" in a private residence, secluded. mt2618, mr1415, lu2433, jn2019. Not in the temple lu2453.
  14 - Continued Literally "persevered" with one mind. This is also the reading for ac0246. A new attitude developed. Compare lu2224.
  14 - In prayer Greek te proseuche. They probably went out a few times lu2453.
.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.
 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.

  16 - This scripture The one in v17.
  16 - Holy Ghost They believed that David wrote under divine inspiration 2ti0316.
  16 - Guide See on mt2603-47.
  17 - Numbered One of the twelve mt1004, mr0319, lu0616. This does not mean he was called. He volunteered. Then he was given a part in the ministry.
  19 - Their proper tongue Literally "their own dialect." Indication that Luke may not have spoken the common language, Aramaic, and that he may not have been Jewish.
  19 - Aceldama A transliteration from Aramaic to Greek to English. Otherwise known as the Potter's Field. Also mt2707.
  20 - From ps06925, ps10908. From the Septuagint (translation into Greek).
Image: Identified as the field of blood, probably around 1900
 21  Wherefore of these men which have companied with us [accompanied us] all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
 22  Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
.23  And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
 24  And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
 25  That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
.26  And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
  21,22 - These ... all the time Peter was apparently with the Lord all during His 3½ year ministry.
  23 - Appointed two The meaning and characteristics of Barsabas are unclear. The name could mean born on the Sabbath. Matthias is not mentioned again except in verse 26.
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