CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION:
The New Testament begins with the "Gospels," taken from the Greek word euaggelion, meaning "good message," or message of good news.
After, the four Gospels, we come to the book of ACTS, sometimes called "The Acts of the Apostles."
The one-word title itself should generally give meaning to the content of this letter by Luke to "Theophilus." (Acts 1:1)
Thus, the book of ACTS is actually a recording of historic actions by the apostles (and other disciples) as they were performing the GREAT COMMISSION given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20.

They proclaimed Jesus to people, and God used their proclamation to win and baptize souls and begin churches.
They taught believers (disciples) so that each one could grow in his/her relationship with Jesus.
They also taught believers (disciples) how to go into other areas and proclaim Jesus, win and baptize souls, and begin more churches.

Luke, then, recorded these acts, and compiled them in a letter to "Theophilus" (friend of God).
Therefore, anyone who has surrendered to Jesus can read the letter and gain insight to ministry and mission work.

CHAPTER 1

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.

The "former treatise" here is the Gospel of Luke.
That Gospel contains the birth of Christ, and records many of Jesus' actions during His life.
It also contains historic record of Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into Glory.

During His ministry, Jesus had "given commandments" to the "apostles" whom He had ordained. (vs 2 above)

HOWEVER,
AFTER His resurrection, and BEFORE His ascension, Jesus had "shewed Himself alive...by many infallible proofs..." (Vs 3 above)
Just how long was that time when Jesus revealed Himself in His glorified body to the disciples on several occasions?
Well, let's take a look at that.
Passover, in 30AD came on the 14th of the Jewish month Nisan (Friday).
Passover was also considered a 7-day celebration of redemption by God Almighty.
On the 3rd day of the Passover feast was the offering of "firstfruits," the day AFTER the Sabbath (See Leviticus 23:11).
It was on THAT day that Jesus AROSE from the grave, being the "firstfruits of them that slept" (See 1Corinthians 15:20-23).

Now, from the 3rd day of Passover, it is 50 days until Pentecost (See Leviticus 23:15).

Luke says here that Jesus appeared to His disciples the last time (the day of His ascension) "forty days" after the resurrection (vs 3).

We can surmise then, that the apostles were gathered in the upper room for at least 10 days before Pentecost.

Jesus had commanded them to WAIT for "the promise of the Father."
That promise Jesus had told them of (See John 14:16-26).
That would happen when God's Holy Spirit descended upon them with power as Comforter, Teacher, and Reminder.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

John's baptism of water represented the work of God upon the repentance of man - cleansing, purification.
This baptism by God's Holy Spirit would be akin to John's baptism, yet would hold significant differences.
They would certainly be baptized spiritually, cleansed and purified for the task ahead.
This baptism would also enable them, with special "gifts" from God, to do what ordinary saved sinners cannot do.
Later, they would heal the lame, cleanse lepers, cast out demons, and even cause the dead to rise again!

Take note, this was indeed a very special occasion (which took place in the following verses).
It was the beginning of a new era in our Lord's ministry to the world.

Later, the completion of that Holy Spirit baptism for special ministry would come when Cornelious and his family were baptized, including Gentile believers in the ministry of our Lord. (See Acts 10:1-11:18).

After that though, the New Testament never again refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the same sense.

Believers are all baptized into "one body," the body of Christ (1Cor. 12:13), and "sealed" In His Spirit (Eph. 1:13).
We are given the commands to be "filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18), and to "walk by the Spirit" (Gal. 5:16).
Therefore, there is evidence in the remainder of the New Testament, that believers are indwelled by God's Holy Spirit.

ALL believers should surrender to the Great Commission - bringing others to Christ, and teaching them more about Him. (Matt. 28:18-20).
We should also be aware of God's Spirit teaching the Bible when we read and study, and reminding us of His teaching when we are away from our Bible. (John 14:26)

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.

While they were there on Mt. Olivet, at His last appearance, the disciples had a question.
Since, Jesus was risen from the dead, would he "restore the kingdom to Israel?"
This would include giving world domination to Israel, and Jesus publicly proclaiming Himself as King of Israel.
This was prophesied in the Old Testament (See Daniel 7:27).

However, Jesus explained they did not know "the times or the season, which the Father hath put in His own power." (vs 7)
They did not understand that God's PLAN for the ages included bringing the Good News of salvation to ALL the world!

So Jesus told them, in effect, "YOU do what God SAID for you to do!"
They were to receive "power" for WITNESSING -- telling the Gospel! (Vs 8)

While the disciples were traveling with Jesus, they had His presence.
When He left them, He gave them the presence of His Holy Spirit (See John 20:22).

However NOW, Jesus told them when they received this "power," they WOULD BE "witnesses" for Him!
It would not be a matter of mindful choice!
It would be a matter of faith obeying Him Who gave faith!!
These apostles would even obey this command UNTO DEATH!!
And, they all DID!
The receipt of "the Holy Ghost" at Pentecost, while they were in the upper room, was presence AND power!

Notice the progression of the AREA to which they were to witness:
first - to Jerusalem, their immediate city;
second - to Judaea, their surrounding country;
then - to "the uttermost part of the earth," EVERYWHERE!!

And, may I say that TODAY, God calls Christians to be "witnesses" to Him:
first - at home;
second - in the neigborhood;
then - EVERYWHERE they go!!

The power of God's presence is given for a PURPOSE!

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.

Now they saw a sight which TRANSFIXED them!
It was such a sight that they were ROOTED to the ground!

As they watched, Jesus was "taken up" by the Glory Cloud of God!
Can you IMAGINE what they saw?!?
((In Calhoun, La., years ago, my friend Dr. James Burns put together a "Passion Play."
At the end of the play, the actor portraying Jesus would step to the side, and begin to RISE!
While he was rising, a cloud of smoke covered him until he disappeared out of sight!
The first time I saw it, chills covered my body!
It was as if we were actually experiencing what the disciples saw!))

I believe this was the same "Shekinah" glory cloud that led the children of Israel out of Egypt, across the Red Sea, and through the forty years of wilderness travel, then into the "promised land!"

And they just STOOD there -- LOOKING -- GAZING!

Then two "men" (angels appearing as men) appeared and made a dual dynamic statement!
FIRST - "WHY are you standing there? Get busy doing what Jesus told you to do!"
SECOND - "You WILL see Him coming again, just like He left!"

How often do we experience things that TRANSFIX us today?
Many times during our lives we will be totally rooted to the ground by some accident, loss of a loved one, or other tragedy.

But let's not STAY there!
Let's get busy doing what Jesus TOLD us to do -- go be WITNESSES!

And, one day faithful Christian, you WILL SEE Jesus coming again!!

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.

Luke says here, (See vs 12 below) that they traveled from Mt. Olivet back to Jerusalem "about a sabbath's day journey" (which in that day was probably about 1,100 yds. (or about 6/10 of a mile).

The disciples returned to the "upper room" where Jesus had observed His last supper with them. (vs 13)
Verse 13 also gives the names of the 11 disciples who were present there.
Also, several women, including "Mary the mother of Jesus" and "His brethren" (1/2 brothers) were there.

I cannot pass up the opportunity here to comment on the allusion of "wait" in verse 4 above.
In Isaiah 40:31, this statement is made:
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
The word from which "wait" is translated is the Hebrew qavah (pronounced kaw vaw').
It literally means: to be bound together with; anticipating with action.
Now, the word Jesus used "wait" in Acts 1:4 above is the Greek perimeno (pronounced per-ee-men'-o) and means literally to anticipate - wait.
Therefore, I make this comment:
WHILE the disciples were waiting, they waited on the Lord with "prayer and supplication!"

Sometimes, when you are "transfixed" by a difficult situation, "WAIT" on the Lord!
Wait upon Him to change the circumstances, yes.
But also, BE JOINED with Him in prayer, supplication, and whatever ministry you can muster during that time!

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.
21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with 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.

Take note: WHILE they "waited" on the Lord, they were enjoined in "prayer and supplication," AND,
they conducted BUSINESS!

Peter said they needed to replace the member who had died, Judas.
He refered to Psalm 69:25, and Psalm 109:8.
Both were songs of David, concerning his own afflictions.
But now, Peter, recognizes them as prophecies of Jesus!

There is a point to be made here that cannot be escaped.
Peter could not have recognized those as prophecies of Messiah without the aid of God's Holy Spirit. (See 2Peter 1:20-21)
The point is, these disciples ALREADY had the presence of God's Holy Spirit!
THEREFORE, what happens in Chapter 2, is very special indeed!

While the disciples were traveling with Jesus, they had His presence.
When He left them, He gave them the presence of His Holy Spirit (See John 20:22).
The receipt of "the Holy Ghost" at Pentecost, while they were in the upper room, was presence AND power!

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.

Now, through "prayer and supplication", and the aid of God's Holy Spirit, two men were named to choose from:
"Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias."
And, through "prayer and supplication", and the aid of God's Holy Spirit, Matthias was chosen to fill the spot vacated by Judas.

Everything done while they were waiting for the promise of God's power by special intervention from His Spirit was done while waiting (being intertwined with) God through "prayer and supplication!"

Sometimes we have to WAIT on God to act specifically concerning a certain situation in our lives.
While we are waiting, let us also "wait" (be intertwined) with Him through "prayer and supplication!"