The Promise of Power
Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
The former account is the Gospel of Luke. At one time the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts were joined together as one book with two "volumes."
The name Theophilus means "Lover of God", we are not sure who he was, but the title "most excellent" (Luke 1:3) is used for one of high office.
Acts 1:2 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:
Acts 1:3 To whom also he showed 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:
Speaking of the things of the kingdom of God. He was giving them a vision of the future hope. Not much is recorded of his words at this time. He was upset with them, because of their unbelief. They were cowering, being upset by the events of their time, Their leader had been crucified.
We can identify with their sorrows in a small way as we witness our country being terrorized on Sept 11, some have withdrawn, some are depressed, some even had their hearts fail them. Do not remove your eyes from the hope that is in Jesus. He has risen. We shall be with him in the Kingdom.
Infallible proofs of his resurrection:
1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Cor 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Cor 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
1 Cor 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
1 Cor 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
1 Cor 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Acts 1:4 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.
The promise of the comforter, the Holy Spirit.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
John the Baptist describes this:
Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Water baptism is an outward sign of a commitment to Jesus. Some churches sprinkle water others believe in full emersion. Some churches insist that only their way of saying words and in their denomination is the way of salvation. No, that is legalism and works. Salvation is by faith in Jesus, receiving his grace.
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
The baptism of Jesus is to be "immersed" in the Holy Spirit.This is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The filling of God's Spirit brings the truth and power of God to the witness for Jesus. The baptism of fire is the conviction and burning away and repentance of sins. Our God is a consuming fire, no flesh or sin can stand before him.
The promised baptism would occur at Pentecost, in 10 days.
Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
"Marvelous is their rudeness, that when as they had been diligently instructed by the space of three whole years, they betray no less ignorance than if they had heard never a word. There are as many errors in this question as words." (Calvin)
The disciples still were hoping for the kingdom to be established. Scriptures give us events that may occur before Jesus comes again. The Church age, so far 2000 years of gathering a people unto God from all nations, this is the church, the bride of Christ.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
The next event is the rapture, the removing of the church from the coming tribulation.
1 Cor 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Cor 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
When Jesus returns he will establish the Kingdom for one thousand years on a restored earth.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Acts 1:7 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.
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
We are to expect his coming at anytime and watch. That does not mean we should not be busy witnessing.
1 Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1 Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1 Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1 Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1 Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1 Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Acts 1:8 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.
If we want to be witnesses, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit! Far more important than the best course in evangelism is the filling of the Holy Spirit!
Wait in Jerusalem for Holy Ghost power; after which you shall witness starting at home, your own area of influence and unto every part of the earth. Never in our lifetime has the opportunity and need been greater then this day.
The progress of the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, and then to the end of the earth becomes the outline of Acts. Acts chapters 1 through 7 describe the gospel in Jerusalem, chapters 8 through 12 speak of the gospel in Judea and Samaria, and chapters 13 through 28 tell of the gospel going to the end of the earth
2 Cor 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
It is not a time to withdraw in fear. Soon the Holy Spirit will come giving the believers power to witness, power to love , power to cast out devils and all the gifts of God in which to accomplish His will. This will be the beginning of the Church.
In One Accord
Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
The glory cloud ( Shekinah glory?)
Exo 13:21 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:
Remember Jesus’ words to His disciples in John 16:7: It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. Now the disciples could know that that promise would be fulfilled. He allowed them to see that he was departing.
Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Apparently angels dressed in white. Remember the appearance of the angel at the tomb; a young man dressed in a long white garment.
Mark 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
Acts 1:11 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.
No need to keep gazing into heaven. Jesus has given you a comission to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. This same Jesus, not another, shall return in like manner.
Beware of false Jesus' returning.
Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Mark 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
He shall return in a cloud on the Mt. of Olives from whence he departed.
Acts 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
A Sabbath’s day journey describes a short distance, the only kind allowed on the Sabbath.
Acts 1:13 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.
All the apostles that Jesus had chosen are assembled in the room, the eleven; Judas had departed.
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. They all prayed, and they continued in prayer and supplication. The idea of supplication is a sense of desperation and earnestness in prayer.
What do you suppose were their prayers?
Were they praying for peace?
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Where they still praying for the Kingdom to come? Perhaps they remembered the Lord's prayer example.
Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Perhaps they were praying about his last command?
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
So important to be of one accord together in a room. This is what church is to be, a room of faith and love, of one accord and a room of prayer.
How important unity is, Jesus is one with the Father.
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
God even spoke through the evil high priest who would seek Jesus' death.
John 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
John 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
How much more authority does Jesus himself speak as he speaks of us being one with God.
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Unity
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Others were gathered together in unity.
Mary was there with the half brothers of Jesus, James and Jude.
The brothers of Jesus never seemed to be supportive of His ministry before His death and resurrection (John 7:5, Mark 3:21), but now that has changed, the power of the resurrected Jesus is proof.
The women who followed Jesus were there too, perhaps some were the wives, in all there were 120 people. (Acts1:15)
They had been told by Jesus earlier, that they were to go to Jerusalem and wait.
Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Luke 24:48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
All ministries were on hold until they heard from God's Holy Spirit. This is our need as well, we wait on the Holy Spirit, doing nothing apart from him. Apart from the Spirit is human effort and we fail.
2 Cor 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Let us gather together in unity and prayers and supplications until we hear from the Holy Spirit.
He is with us now. Here I am Lord, use me, send me to the lost in the world. Increase love and your Spiritual fruit in my life.
Replacing Judas
Judas chose another path; betrayal, sin and death.
Acts 1:15 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,)
Acts 1:16 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.
Acts 1:17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
Peter was a natural leader, bold in the flesh, but not yet having the permanence of the Holy Spirit. He had failed his Lord, yet was restored and looking forward to the promise of the Lord. He was with others in unity and one accord.
Even though Judas was the son of Perdition, he also partook of the ministries with the disciples. He was sent forth to preach repentance, and yet did not repent. He was sent forth to heal the sick and cast out demons, yet he was to be taken over by satan. Judas sought repentance, but none was ro be found, he looked in the wrong place.
What went wrong? He was among them, treated the same, but it all never filled his heart...something else occupied his heart, Perhaps he was careless in his choices, I assume greed and wrong choices were made, he betrayed the Lord that was so close to him.
Mark 3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
Mark 3:15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
At this time they were under the annointing of Jesus, yet later satan would enter Judas. Did he have satan when he ministered? No, Jesus said Satan cannot cast out satan, a house divided will fall. (Mat 12:26) Judas had serious strongholds, through the love of money satan entered in and he was destroyed, after doing the work of satan to put Jesus to death. Remember this was before the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:18 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.
Judas tried to return the 30 pieces of silver he received for betraying Jesus. With these evil priests there was no repentance received or grace given. With the blood money they bought a field to bury the unwanted.
Mat 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Mat 27:6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
Mat 27:7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
Mat 27:8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
Mat 27:9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
Acts 1:19 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.
Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.
He hanged himself and according to Mat 27:5, perhaps the limb broke for in Acts 1:18 he fell headlong to the ground. It is not how he died that matters, it is that he went to eternity unforgiven, having sought forgiveness in the wrong place.The high priests he sought for forgiveness, they were equally guilty. There is but one way given to man in which we may be saved.
Judas was with the disciples when Jesus showed them the way.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Acts 1:22 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.
This criteria is used as the qualifications of an apostle. They must have been with Jesus and learned from him. Peter adds that they must have been with him through his entire ministry. This disqualifies any future apostles, if we use these criteria. These were Peter's best reasonings, yet the thoughts of Peter.
Paul became an Apostle, having seen Jesus and he was taught by him, by revelation, but was not with him during his ministry. So the true qualifications for an Apostle are to have an encounter with Jesus, and to be sent on a new ministry.
Jesus had personally chosen his disciples, after the Father gave them to him. In Jesus' absence and without the Holy Spirit, how shall we make a replacement for Judas?
Peter comes up with a common sense solution. Perhaps this is what Jesus wanted, and again perhaps he should have waited for the promise to come. The Holy Spirit of truth, then he would truly have the mind of Christ.
Acts 1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Acts 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,
Wisely they prayed first, my question is if we limit God to two choices when we pray, is this his perfect will? The request was a good one, show us which one, but they wanted a quick answer. My thoughts are they were being like Sarah who in her own mind chose a way for the promised son to be born, seeking another way then God's plan, having grown impatient in waiting.
Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
They used the old testament way of choosing, throwing lots. Are we to rely on this method of choice now that the Spirit of truth has come? Do we open the Bible and point at a passage, by chance finding God's will? We have the word to study and the Holy Spirit of truth and prayer to guide us. Often we must wait.
The disciples were in obedience when they chose, they were in fellowship, they were in prayer, they were in the Word, they wanted to do God’s will, they used sanctified common sense, and they did what they could do to rely on God without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Soon the Holy Spirit would come, and they would be fully equipped to serve in Spirit and in truth.
Perhaps Paul was God's choice for the replacement of Judas? Paul considered himself an apostle, but one born out of due time.
1 Cor 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1 Cor 15:10 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.
Revelation 21:14 tells us that each of the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem has the name of one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Is the twelfth apostle Paul or Matthias? Who can say for certain?
1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
An Apostle is to build on the foundation which is Jesus Christ the word.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
We are the Church, Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone, the apostles and prophets have built on it. Finally we each are a soul gifted for his service fit together in unity to make a holy habitation of God through his Spirit.
The disciples were to wait until the Holy Spirit came, then they would be Apostles sent into all the world with new boldness to make disciples for Christ.
Gary
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