College Notes
The Acts
Chapter 1
Acts is not a handbook of Church doctrine although doctrine does appear. It is a Book of firsts.
Important Dates
Note: Luke is the only gospel which mentions Christ’s ascension.
Beginning of the Church (1:1-5:42)
Greeting (1:1-3)
vs. 1
Jesus began to DO and
TEACH. This is the emphasis in the gospel of Luke.
Acts is a continuation of what Christ was DOING after the gospel accounts
Acts is: Transaction, deeds, Acts of Apostolic men (not all).
vs. 2
Gave commandment -
wait in Jerusalem (Luke 24:49).
vs.3
Jesus showed
himself.
The scriptures describe 10 different times Jesus was seen after his resurrection.
1. To women at tomb. Mary Magdalene
and other Mary (the mother of James the less, (Matt 27:56-61, Mark 15:40) Jn20:11-18.
2. Sunday
afternoon. They held his feet. Mt28:9-10, this took place after Christ’s
ascension.
3. To Simon. Luke 24:33-35. I Corinthians 15:5 identifies it
was Simon Peter.
4. To two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Luke
24:13-35
5. To 10 disciples assembled behind locked doors. Luk24:36-43
and Jn20:19-24
(The first five times were all on one day)
6. One week later. Once assembled
disciples, this time with them. John 21:l4.
7. To seven disciples at
Sea of Galilee. Jn21:1-3
8. To 500 on Mount in Galilee. 1Cor15:6
9.
To James, his brother and other disciples. 1Cor15:7
10. After 40 days
Christ’s ascended from the Mount of Olives. Acts 1:3-12
* Ascended bodily
* How far in to
the clouds did Jesus ascend before they could no longer see them? 1000
ft?
From MANY INFALIBLE PROOFS BY Morris
P.93
The number 1O, according to Bulinger's NUMBER IN SCRIPTURE is
God's number of Divine order.
vs. 3
Christ's message was
of the Kingdom of God.
Final Instructions (1:4-8)
vs. 4
Big assembly,
literally eating with them.
Luke 24:42-49
Christ resurrected:
John 14:16 - Promise in O.T., i.e. Messiah would appear. Promise in N.T., i.e. Holy Spirit. "Wait for the promise of the Father . . ."
Holy Spirit not a doctrine in the
O.T., but some must have been begotten.
vs. 6
Message made clear but
not when.
vs. 7
Not imperative now,
i.e. times or seasons.
Mat. 24:36 - unrevealed – No one knows the day or hour.
Apostles believed event to take place in their lifetime. Acts 1:6
vs. 8
"Witness," eye-witness
of resurrection.
Holy Spirit is power, authority. It is
omnipresent (not a person).
Three regions described:
* TIBET? No! Western world
Ascension (1:9-14)
vs. 9
Christ ascended out of
sight
vs. 10
Normal angels
manifest themselves as men contrary to seraphim and cherubim. White
symbolizes righteousness. Rev. 19:8
vs. 11
Christ's return,
manner explained: Not the time
Descent will be visible.
* This verse proves that the reward of the saved is not Heaven. Jesus returns from Heaven to the Mt. of Olives. Zech. 14:4
vs. 12
"Sabbath day's
journey" - tradition:
2,000 CB = 3/5 mi., i.e. wall to wall in a city.
Mt. of Olives to Jerusalem was about
3/5 miles.
Luke 24:52-53 After ascension they went to Jerusalem and continued worshipping in the temple.
vs. 13
Rented
quarters
Luke 24: 52 -53 Temple as a place of worship
Apostolic
list
*Apostolic list differs from that of the Gospels. Why the contradiction? Be prepared for a
quiz.
Quiz:
1-3. List the three sets of
brothers
4-5. What are two other names for Judas?
6. What is Simon
the Zealot's other name?
vs. 14
"The
women"
"The brethren"
e.g., physical brothers and sisters.
Assume part of 120. Shows God not building a male chauvinist church.
*
4 brothers and 2 sisters
Judas (1:15 - 22)
vs. 15
120
disciples
Disciple = learner or student.
(p. 15, Barclay)
120 = Completion,
e.g. 10 x 12 = 120
120 were required to settle a civil matter and Luke may have done this on purpose, due to Jewish law.
vs. 16 - 17
Judas
introduced
vs. 18 - 19
"Burst asunder
in the midst" G.K. = elakhsen
mesoß, clang, to crack, to crash, like a
falling tree.
Plausible explanation: May mean burst open in the middle due to ineptness in trying to hang himself. He hit rocks below.
Fact: Judas committed suicide in remorse (Mat. 27:5).
Jews are very tied to importance of burial. Present even today. Try to bury dead as close to Jerusalem as possible.
Judas' Motives
John 12: 6 - Judas was treasurer and thief. He didn't presume Jesus as a "lamb led to the slaughter," but when he realized that Christ was actually going to die, he hung himself.
Judas appearing in the:
vs. 20
"Bishoprick" = (Greek) His office as overseer (Psalms 69:25; 109:8)
God's Spirit revealed meaning of these two Psalms. Therefore, God inspired Peter to say this. Good example of Bible interpreting the Bible.
vs. 22
Were to replace
Judas.
Matthias and Joseph had to have been witnesses along with the apostles.
Matthias chosen (1:23-26)
vs. 23
1. Joseph called
Barsabas
2. Matthias*
vs. 24 – 26
*appointed via
casting lots (1:26)
Barclay writes in his
commentary:
"It may seem strange to us that the method was that of
casting lots. But amongst the Jews it was the natural thing to do because
all the offices and duties in the Temple were settled that way. The names
of the candidates were written on stones: the stones were put into a
vessel and the vessel was shaken until one stone fell out; and he whose
name was on that stone was elected to office." P. 17
Note: This is the last time in God’s church that the casting of lots is ever used. After this they were given the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit will lead them into the truth. John 16:13, Matt. 18:20