Acts 1

Act 1:1:
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

The former treatise.--Literally, word, or discourse; but the English of the text is, perhaps, a happier equivalent than either. The adjective is strictly "first" rather than "former," and the tense of the verb, "I made," rather than "I have made."

Theophilus /θiˈɒfɪləs/ is the name or honorary title of the person to whom the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are addressed (Luke 1:3, Acts 1:1). It is thought that both the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles were written by the same author, and often argued that the two books were originally a single unified work. Both Luke and Acts were written in a refined Koine Greek, and the name "θεόφιλος" ("Theophilos"), as it appears therein, means friend of God or (be)loved by God or loving God in the Greek language.

The former treatise have I made,.... Meaning the Gospel written by him the Evangelist Luke, for from that he makes a transition to this, beginning here where he there left off; namely, at the ascension of Christ; see Luke 24:51. -Gills Exposition

Theophilus was the person for whom Luke originally wrote his two books: the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles. Abiut 26% of Luke's writing in the New Testament was written to Theophilus. Luke’s desire was to prove to Theophilus the truth of Jesus the Messiah’s life, death and resurrection. The name Theophilus appears in only two places in the Bible, Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-3. Luke wrote these two books around 61-63 AD which is during the time that the Apostle Paul was a prisoner in Rome and Luke was with him. (See 2 Timothy 4:11).

Acts 1:2:
until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

Jesus had an appointed time in which to be taken up to heaven and it was after the Holy Spirit had given instruction. Note that the apostles were of his choosing.

Acts 1:3:
After his suffering, he showed himself to these men 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.

Christ did not immediately ascend into heaven after his resurrection in order to thoroughly prove his resurrection, and with his presence strengthen and encourage his Apostles in the doctrine which they had heard.

Acts 1:4:
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.

This is not the first time the disciples had heard about this precious promise. In John 14 the Apostle John records some words of Jesus – the first ones are of another precious promise – the promise of heaven

But that is a different story, what needs our attention here is found in John 14:16-17 where Jesus states, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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.”

Here Jesus is promising to send the Holy Spirit to dwell in the disciples. He could promise the Spirit because it was the same Spirit that was with them in Himself! Again we read in John 16:7: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

Jesus was speaking about how the world hated Him and how it would hate them, but he did not want them to worry because He was going to provide for them. The Holy Spirit would be sent to them, but first He must go to the cross! God sealed His promise of the Spirit with the death, resurrection, and ascension of His only begotten Son.

Acts 1:5:
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

On the temple mount were several mikvahs (baptism pools) that were used for ceremonial cleansings. These cleansings had to do with holiness.

For example, when a Gentile converted to Judaism, he had to do three things; offer a sacrifice at the temple, be circumcised, and then be baptized (mikvahed). It was then that the convert was considered to be a true Israelite.

But what did Jesus mean by the disciples being baptized in the Holy Spirit? This meant that in the new covenant, believers would be mikvahed (immersed) in the Spirit of Messiah, and thereby, would become a holy people to God.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a term that speaks of the washing of regeneration. It is in this covenant experience that a believer receives the life of Messiah. Paul said, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” (1Co12:13) The body we are emerged into is the body of Messiah, and the Spirit we drink of is the Spirit of Messiah.

When the Lord compared John’s baptism to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, He is drawing attention both to the Messiah’s new covenant baptism, and also to a baptism of judgment. John said, “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matt3:11) -In Christ

Acts 1:6-7:
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.

Both words in Acts 1:7 can refer to time periods that could last many years. In Acts 1:21 the word “time” (chronos), which is frequently understood as a duration or span of time, refers to the entire ministry of Jesus with his disciples. It can also refer to a generation of forty years (Acts 13:18), or even an entire lifetime or longer (Acts 17:30; 1 Cor 7:39; 1 Pet 4:3).
The word for “periods” (of time), which is kairos, can be understood as a decisive point, “often with a stress on the fact that it is divinely ordained.”* It can refer to a year (Rev 12:12-14; compare 12:6), a season or a few years (Lk 4:13; Acts 14:17; Gal 4:10; 6:9; Philemon 15), a former disposition or an entire lifetime (Mark 10:30; Rom 2:12; 8:18), or the entire epoch (Luke 21:24; Rom 3:25–26; 2 Cor 6:2; 1 Pet 1:10–11). In the Greek version of the Old Testament (the Septuagint/ LXX) kairos and chronos can be connected together and refer to entire eras of successive kingdoms (Dan 2:21; compare 2:31–44). -In Christ

Acts 1:8:
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

There are two Greek words in the New Testament, both which are rendered by our word "power." The one refers to power in the sense of rule or authority and the other means ability, strength, or force. It is the latter of those that are used here. We are not to think that the Spirit came into existence here for the first time. It is possible for a power to always exist but for men to experience or take it at some given moment. For instance, men did not invent atomic power. It has always existed; but only in our time have men tapped into it.

The Book of Acts by F. F. Bruce ·

Jesus designated this particular company of disciples to serve as his witnesses throughout the world, and they would do so in the power of the Holy Spirit. And it is clear that they took this charge seriously. We see this later in Chapter 1, when the apostles selected Matthias to replace Judas as one of the Twelve. This was necessary, the apostle Peter suggested, because one of those who had accompanied Jesus from the beginning “must become a witness with us to his resurrection” (1:22). -Firebrand

January 28, 2022:
Lee Strobel said the following in an announcement that he was headlining the 2022 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference: “Evangelism is even more important today, but so is apologetics, or offering reasons for why we believe what we believe...My friend J. Warner Wallace, an atheist detective who came to Christ after his investigation of the Gospels, went so far as to say, ‘evangelism in the 21st Century is spelled apologetics.’ I think he’s on the right track. We need to help people know why we believe that Jesus is the unique Son of God. That’s going to be vitally important as we face a nation and world that are skeptical and sometimes even hostile toward our faith.” I agree and disagree with this. Apologetics is good to learn.. Sharpens the Bible knowledge. But, I believe every Christian has a testimony and a need to "testify" and give witness of why he or she believes what they do. But the commission in Acts 1:7–8 states Jesus said to the disciples, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. 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 end of the earth.” Maybe conferences like the one Strobel mentions is helpful for some, but for the vast number of people who cannot attend such conferences...God has provided a way that keeps your testimony real that has no urgent need for conference. In 3 words: "Read Your Bible.": 2 Timothy 3:16–17: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

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.
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

Here we have three additional elements. The first element is that the disciples observe him rising. He doesn't just disappear, but first begins to rise. The Greek verb epairō means, "raise." The second element mentions that a cloud hides him from sight. The third element is a pair of angels who announce, "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."
How does Jesus ascend into heaven? Into a cloud. Then how will he return? In a cloud. As Jesus relates the end-time events, he says, "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (Luke 21:27). --Jesus Walk

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.
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,)

Only a handful of people met Jesus in the days immediately following his resurrection. But that handful soon became “about 120” Christ-followers (Acts 1:15) who were “all together in one place” at Pentecost (Acts 2:1).
Each was then “filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (v. 4). In response, “the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language” (v. 6). This miracle then led to Peter’s Pentecost sermon and the salvation of “about three thousand souls” (v. 41).
We don’t know the names of most of the 120 disciples, but we stand in their spiritual lineage. The same is true for the “more than five hundred brothers” who met Jesus after his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6). -Jim Denison

Acts 1:16-17:
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.

Remember, Judas had been with them for 3 years and was even their treasurer. We know Judas had a part, but it wasn't a spiritual part. *Just like always, not all who say they believe are true believers! 2. If you remember, Jesus had said that Judas had a devil from the beginning. Though Judas had fooled the others, he had not fooled Christ. John 6:64, 70-71 - But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? John 6:71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

Acts 1:18-26:
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.
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.