READING THE BOOK OF ACTS: INTRODUCTION & CHAPTER 1
BOOK SUMMARY
The book of Acts is generally summarized by Acts 1:8. The scripture describes the commission given to the disciples with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The book also describes the rapid growth and persecution of the church.
CONTEXT FOR ACTS, CHAPTER 1
Acts, Chapter 1 is the second letter of Luke written for Theophilus. The chapter describes the transition that happens between Jesus' ministry and the disciples' commission to spread the Gospel in Jerusalem and throughout all of Judea and Samaria and eventually throughout the entire world. In John, Chapter 20 the disciples experienced an infilling of Holy Spirit when Jesus breathed on them and told them to "...receive the Holy Spirit." Over the course of 40 days, Jesus appeared to over five hundred people (1Corinthians 15:6). At Pentecost, the disciples are empowered by the Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus, to begin the ministry of spreading the Gospel.
1) Verses 1-11, Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven, JEANNIE
Jesus told the disciples about the work they were being commissioned to do. In Jerusalem, the disciples waited, as instructed by Christ, for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would give them insight and revelation as well as empower them to perform miracles in the name of our Lord.
SECTION QUESTIONS
1. What instructions did Jesus give his disciples before he was taken into heaven?
2. Who did Jesus give instructions through before he was taken to heaven?
3. What did the two men dressed in white tell the apostles while they were watching Jesus being taken into heaven?
2) Verses 12-17, Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas, Part 1, DESTINY
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of lives, a Sabbath day’s walk[a] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[b] the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
3) Verses 18-26, Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas, Part 2, MRS. ELNORA
18 (With
the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a
field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines
spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so
they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of
Blood.) 20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in
the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to
dwell in it,’[a] and, “‘May another take
his place of leadership.’[b] 21 Therefore
it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time
the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from
John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of
these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” 23 So
they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and
Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know
everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to
take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then
they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven
apostles.
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