PART ONE- The Origin, Progress, And Dispersion Of The Church In Jerusalem (1:1-8:4)
I. Introductory Statements (1:1-26)
A. The starting point of the narrative (vv. 1-5)
v.1 Luke continues his treatise concerning Jesus from where he left off in his first book. Theophilus- "lover of God"
v.2 When the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles this would put the "great commission" into effect. The book of Acts recounts the Apostles carrying out this commission. (Lu. 24:47,48)
v.3 The account of the Apostles witnessing the resurrected Jesus. A space of forty days. Jesus appeared to the Apostles more than ten times during these days. Examples of these appearances can be found in the Gospels.
v.4 Reflects back to the time of the ascension. Christ told the Apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father. (Jn. 14:26; 15:26,27; 16:12,13; Lu. 24:47-49; Joel 2:28,29)
v.5 Lu. 3:16; John the Baptist's comment concerning the difference between his baptism and the baptism that Christ would send to the Apostles
B. The final promise of the Holy Spirit (vv. 6-8)
v.6 The Apostles misconception concerning the kingdom: "a physical kingdom." Compare to religious people of today. Prior to the ascension the kingdom had not been established. It would not be established until Jesus was in heaven and the Comforter had come. (Phil. 2:8-9; Heb. 2:9; Acts 2:32,33)
v.7 The time of the coming of the kingdom would be revealed when the Father was ready to reveal it. Not when the Apostles thought they were ready.
v.8 The coming of the Holy Spirit would solve all of the Apostles problems. Geographically the way the kingdom would spread- Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria to the "Uttermost Parts of the Earth."
C. The ascension of Jesus (vv. 9-11)
v.9 Lu. 24:50,51
v.10 Two men- angels, compare their likeness to those at the tomb. (Lu. 24:4) Jn. 1:51- are they these angels?
v.11 Jesus will return in the same manner that he left. (Rev. 1:7; Mt. 26:64)
D. The waiting in Jerusalem (vv. 12-14)
v.12 A Sabbath's Day journey is between three quarters and five quarters of a mile. Mt. Olive was east of Jerusalem toward Bethany. (Lu.24:52) The Apostles returned from the ascension with great joy.
v.13 The remaining eleven Apostles are listed. This is the last mention of their names in Acts except for Peter, James and John. (see: Mt. 10:2-4; Mk. 3:16-19; Lu. 6:14-16 for the other lists). The upper room is not necessarily where they were living, but where they were passing the time. The word both, related not just Peter and John, but all eleven. Upper Rooms: Lu. 22:12; Jn. 20:19,26
v.14 Lu. 24:53 in the temple as well as the upper room. Last appearance of Mary mother of Jesus in the N.T. Who were the women? (Lu. 23:49) Who were the brethren? (Jn. 7:1-5)
E. The place of Judas filled (vv. 15-26)
v.15 The 120 were not all of the disciples. (I Cor. 15:6)
v.16 Ps. 41:9 is a type of Jn. 13:18. In Psalms we have David versus Ahithophel. In John we have Jesus versus Judas. Three things foretold: 1) a traitor among them, 2) fate of the traitor, 3) traitor's place would be taken.
v.17 Zech. 11:12, What was the portion received? 30 pieces of silver.
v.18 How did Judas acquire the field? (Mt. 26:14-26; 27:3-8) How can we reconcile Matthew's and Luke's accounts of Judas' suicide? Did he fall and "burst asunder" as Luke says or did he hang himself?
v.19 "The field of blood"- Akel Dama (Aramaic) Luke's parenthetical statement concerning "their language" refers to the language of Peter and his listeners.
v.20 Ps. 69:25, Ps. 109:8 - general curses against those who hate Lord, certainly apply to Judas. Bishopric-office-overseer. Does this correspond to our elders today? Judas' place was to be filled by another.
v.21 Qualifications of a replacement for an Apostle enumerated:
v.22 1) Must have been with Jesus from the baptism of John until the ascension. 2) Must be an eyewitness of the resurrection.
v.23 Two men met the qualifications, Matthias and Barsabas. The word appoint means nominate.
v.24 The Apostles realize that the Lord has already chosen, but His choice must be made known.
v.25 The replacement would become an Apostle equal to the eleven.
v.26 Casting lots- O.T. custom (Num. 26:55; I Sam. 10:20,21). How was the lot cast? (Prov. 16:33) Had Peter and the other Apostles overstepped their authority in going through this process of making Matthias an Apostle? The inspired writer (Luke) says that Matthias was numbered with the Apostles.