The book of Acts is an amazing book in which the first 30 years of the early church are chronicled by Luke. Although the book’s author is never specifically identified as Luke, there are a few indicators that show us it is indeed him:
1. This book, as well as the book of Luke, were both written to Theophilus: Although we don’t know who Theophilus was, we do know that both the gospel and the Acts was addressed to him, with the introduction to Acts referring to the author’s “first book” (Acts 1:1).
2. The writing style is similar to that of the author of Luke: Often times, the authors of biblical books are hard to pin down. For instance, if Paul wrote one letter that he addressed as his own, then wrote a number of letters which he did not address, biblical sleuths could look at the way Paul writes, the ideas expressed and the setting of where the writing took place in order to establish authorship. Luke’s gospel and the Book of Acts are written in a similar tone and style which indicates the same author.
3. Luke was a frequent traveler with Paul: Many of the stories in Acts (chapter 9 and beyond) are mainly about Paul’s missionary journeys. Much of the stories are of an intimate nature, written by someone who was involved in the process. Acts 16:10,17; 20:5;21:18; 27:1 all show that Luke was present during these missions and in a position to record.
Luke Who was Luke? We have information about Luke that helps us to understand the man:
Wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts He was a Gentile (Colossians 4:11) He was highly educated He was a close friend to Paul Considered a “beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14) Considered a “fellow laborer” (Philemon 1:24) Joined Paul during Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 16:6-11) Was left in Philippi during the second missionary journey (Acts 17:1) Went with Paul to Jerusalem and Rome during Paul’s imprisonment(2 Timothy 4:11) Possibly martyred, hanged on an olive tree
Acts was written around 63 AD and records the first 30 years of the early church beginning from the ascension of Christ to Paul’s missionary journeys. It records the beginning of the church age and shows the spread of Jesus’ influence in Jerusalem and beyond. The book of Acts is a “bridge” book. It bridges the Gospels with Paul’s writings. If we didn’t have Acts, we would go right from the Gospels into Paul’s writings, which would leave a tremendous gap in knowledge of who Paul was.
To understand Acts fully, we will need to backtrack to the end of the gospel of Luke, specifically chapter 24:36-43:
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
While the disciples are “still talking about this” (The Resurrection), Jesus appears to them. But you’ll notice their reaction to this appearance: they are afraid and full of doubt. Even after Jesus shows them the evidence that He lives, they still cannot fully believe it. But Christ doesn’t scold them or disown them. Instead He chooses to commune with them.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Instead of being angry with them, Jesus reminds them of His teachings: that all of these things, including His death and resurrection, had to happen for the fulfillment of what was written. It is what all of the Old Testament prophets were pointing towards.
Then Jesus opens their minds so they could understand the scriptures. Their job is this: to be witnesses. In other words, they will be the ones who will carry on Christ’s legacy to the world. In His absence, Christ promises a helper. This is the Holy Spirit. But the disciples must be obedient until they are protected. They must return to Jerusalem.
In this passage in Luke, we may be tempted to read it as nothing but a linear tale without seeing the depth and the relatability to our own lives. What is this passage teaching us so far:
• Even though we may doubt (or fear) • It doesn’t mean God doubts us • He still wants to commune with us • We must remain obedient to His teachings • Because through relationship there is knowledge & protection • Through relationship & protection there is no fear
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Jesus blesses them, then leaves. He ascends into Heaven. His ascension validates everything He said to the disciples and to the world.
Acts
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
What were the things Jesus began to do and teach?
• He gave instructions through the Holy Spirit • Gave proof of the resurrection • Appeared for 40 days • Spoke about the Kingdom of God
As was recorded in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus gave instructions for the disciples, now apostles, to go to Jerusalem and remain there until the protection of the Holy Spirit comes. First, why didn’t Jesus simply give them the spirit immediately? Because his giving of the spirit, and the timing of it, has a great affect on the people of Israel. Plus, the apostles still need to stay tied to Christ’s teaching, through obedience. As Christ takes us through trust exercises in our own life, those exercises are always opportunities to trust and follow Christ through the teaching.
Christ says they will be baptized not by water but by the spirit. What does this mean?
First, let’s look at the promise. Whenever God promises something, it is important. We can see the promise and the fulfillment of it in three scriptural references:
Mark 1:8 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” This is John the Baptist talking to the Israelites. He predict this of Christ, who has not appeared yet.
Acts 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This is the promise that Christ Himself makes to the disciples
Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. This is the promise fulfilled, in the apostles on Pentecost.
But what is Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
It is the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit, best described in 1 Corinthians 12-13: 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
All true believers are given the baptism. This is a baptism that: • Joins us in the body of Christ • Gives us newness of life • Helps us to understand our spiritual gifts • Helps keep us in unity in the church body
As water baptism is more of an experience, baptism of the Holy Spirit is a condition. Water baptism is an outward display of the inward change in us. It is a defining display to those around us of the seriousness of our new life. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the condition that creates the experience.
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Why are the apostles asking this question? In the days of the apostles, the Jewish community was actively awaiting the Messiah. In fact, the Jewish leadership believed the Messiah was due in that exact time frame! They believed the Messiah would be a political leader who would gather Israel back to its strength of David’s time. Their criteria for a Messiah leader was as follows:
A direct male descendant of King David and King Solomon (2 Samuel 7:12 - 13)
He will gather the Jewish people and return them to Israel (Isaiah 11:12) He will rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 37:26 - 27)
He will rule at a time of world-wide peace (Micah 4:3)
He will rule when the Jewish people observe God’s commandments (Ezekiel 37:24)
He will rule when all people serve one God (Isaiah 66:23)
Christ’s response to the apostles was interesting and it is valuable to us as well. He tells the apostles that it shouldn’t be their concern of when God intends to fulfill His wishes. Their concern was to be on their mission, the spreading of the gospel. They are His witnesses. Their job is to spread the gospel as far as they could. Little did they know they would spread the word of Christ through the entire known world to grow around the globe. To this day Christianity is a strong world religion and it is because of this small knot of men who chose to focus on the mission, their own small contribution that became a giant contribution, to the kingdom of God.
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
John 16:7 says this: 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
For the apostles, Christ’s departure may have been frightening. But Christ’s departure is actually a benefit to them. According to John, Christ’s leaving is a benefit. Because He leaves, the Holy Spirit arrives in Jesus’ place, an inward protector. Because of this fear of the unknown, or perhaps just the majesty of seeing Christ ascend into the clouds, the apostles are left staring into the heavens. But they are jarred back into reality with the appearance of two angels. The point here is direct: they need to take their eyes off the ascending Jesus and get to work.
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk 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.
After the ascension, the apostles returned to Jerusalem as requested. They were obedient in their return and instead of dispersing they remained together and prayed. This unity is striking, because included in it were the women, but also Jesus’ brothers, James and Jude, who had originally thought Jesus was crazy, until He appeared to them after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7)
The apostles were still men who didn’t agree and were still broken
Their hearts had been changed through Christ, which gave them a unity that transcended their earthly issues
If we want to follow God and make Godly decisions: Obedience Fellowship Prayer
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, 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.” 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,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’ 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.
It is important to note that Judas didn’t derail God’s plan; it had to be fulfilled (Psalm 69:25, 109:8). Judas tried to hang himself first (Matthew 27:5), but apparently it didn’t work out and he fell, bursting open in the field.
Peter’s desire is to biblically justify replacing Judas’ spot with another person. He finds that justification in Psalm 109:8, in which David gives the justification for a replacement. But there is also a numerical value put on this decision. In biblical numerology, the number 12 carries a significance. It means Governmental Perfection, a number that shows God’s hand in it. 11 would simply be incomplete in this scenario. So adding another apostle would bring the group back to that Godly level.
What are the qualifications of the new member?
Must be someone they knew the entire time. This would mean he was a true believer, a person who had shared their turmoils and triumphs and still was stalwart in the faith.
You’ll notice how they go about picking the man: they select two who fit the criteria, then they go to God in prayer. But then they relied on picking him through lots. Why? The apostles knew that ultimately God would appoint the right person, so it was up to them to go through the human process of picking the correct person. In the old testament the Jews who wanted to elect a king went thorough the same process. The only difference is that the apostles knew God was picking the man; the Jews of old thought they picked the king.