Acts 1
OGCBIBLE STUDY TEXT BOOK
Acts Made Actual
Don De Welt
Ozark Bible College Joplin, Missouri
Teacher of New Testament, Sacred History, Homiletics, Personal Evangelism
Author of:
Sacred History And Geography If You Want To Preach The Church In The Bible
COLLEGE PRESS Joplin, Missouri Copyright 1958 Don DeWelt
Permission to use the American Standard Version of the New Testament has been secured from International Council of Religious Education.
This material was prepared to meet a definite need. The need found in the Bible College class room. The same need you find as you teach a Bible class. A simple comprehensive commentary was needed. There was a call for a teaching manual. A certain type of workbook could be used with profit. Several works in print could be combined to meet this three-fold need, but nothing under one cover. And even when combined they left something to be desired. In 1946, after teaching the book of Acts for several years, a work was begun that it was felt would combine the features of a commentary, manual, and workbook, to be a help both to the student and the teacher. As it was written, it was printed in mimeographed form. The mimeographed material has gone through four or five editions. It has been used by several hundred students of the book of Acts.
NOTE SEVERAL OF THE FEATURES OF THIS BOOK:
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It is planned that each page be complete within itself. Each page can be read and your knowledge of its contents can be tested by answering the questions at the bottom of the page. (Some questions can be more completely answered by supplemental reading).
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The entire book of Acts is given in outline form. This can be observed by referring to the opening pages of the book. This outline is memorized by the class members.
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Eight exams that have been used in class are included with this work.
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A special study of the Holy Spirit is a feature in the back of the book.
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Every person, place, and event of the book of Acts can be visualized from the ten chart-maps that appear consecutively.
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Almost all of the important places in the Acts record are shown in accurate drawings.
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Large charts for use in the class room are being prepared. These are an enlargement of the chart-maps that appear in the book.
This book is prepared to be practical. The student of the Bible who for the first time begins his study of the wonderful book of Acts will find here a real help in enabling him to comprehend the general outline of the book, as well as a simple verse by verse comment on its contents. The Bible student who has already studied Luke’s second treatise will find here an outline from which he can teach. A wealth of information is given on points that are not usually discussed. With only one or two exceptions the books quoted from are out of print. With a prayer to our heavenly Father, who has enabled the production of every part of this work, I send this book forth to be used wherever the book of Acts is studied or taught.
Don De Welt
INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST EDITION
It is my pleasure and great honor to introduce to you the author of this book. I have personally known Brother Don De Welt since 1939. I have found him in every way to be a real consecrated servant of Christ, He has endeavored to put into practice in his own life that which he teaches to others. Because of his consecration and devotion in his study of the Word of God, and his deep compassion for the souls of men, he was called as a teacher to labor with us at the San Jose Bible College. Since 1943 he has been teaching young people the Word of Life and challenging them to be evangels of the cross of Christ. In this way his ministry has been multiplied a thousand-fold. His class in the book of Acts has been a high point in the life of each student. Out of his personal experience and storehouse of knowledge he was written this material and presents it to you that you might come to know God’s word in a greater way. I know as you study this book you, too, will come to know the author, for his radiant Christian personality is seen on every page; his evangelistic zeal will be felt as you read through the book. No greater honor can be paid the author and the Christ he serves than to stir you to greater depths of consecration and service as you study this exegesis of the book of Acts. May God bless this work, and may every reader be richly blessed and led to a closer walk with Christ.
W. L. Jessup
President, San Jose Bible College
INTRODUCTION TO THE REVISED EDITION
Text books for the Bible College classroom that are really usable are not many in number. It was a great joy to me to learn of Brother DeWelt’s desire to write. Many have the desire, but Brother De Welt’s ambition is being fulfilled not only with this book but several others. This text book comes from the pen of a scholarly teacher and from one who is unusually practical. Few men are as popular in the classroom, and yet he possesses a rare quality to be equally effective as a preacher. Those of us who know Brother Don were delighted that Acts Made Actual was so gladly received, and we were not surprised. We are now rejoicing that it is being published again. May it have a wide reading and study beyond the college classrooms. Churches have used it for study periods and have written to us telling of the blessings which they have received.
The Book of Acts is perhaps the most misunderstood book in the New Testament. If all Christendom would study and practice New Testament Christianity as revealed in the Book of Acts, then the divisions that plague the churches could be eliminated. The Holy Spirit, the plan of Salvation, the, purpose and work of the Church are taught in Luke’s history of first century Christianity. To see these truths clearly is the purpose of Acts Made Actual.
Don Earl Boatman, President,
Ozark Bible College, Joplin, Missouri
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF Acts 1.
The name of the book.
A better term would be simply, Acts, or Some of the Acts of Some of the Apostles, for it neither contains all the acts of some of the apostles nor some of the acts of all the apostles. The term Acts is applied to the book in some of the ancient manuscripts.
The author of the bookthe Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).
The writer of the bookLuke, Evidence to prove this:
a.
Both Acts and Luke addressed to the same person. Cf. Acts 1:1 and Luke 1:3.
b.
The style the same: Fifty words used, common to the two books and that are not found elsewhere in the New Testament.
c.
Luke was a companion of Paul and was therefore qualified to write this book. Cf. Acts 16:10; Acts 20:4-6; Acts 28:16; Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24.
The date of writing A.D. 63-64. History supports the thought that Luke lived and wrote at this time. The book closes before the trial of Paul before Nero was completed. The strong inference is that Luke completed the book during Paul’s two-year imprisonment and began its circulation before the trial was completed. Since we know the reign of Nero included the years 63-64 A.D. we feel safe in assigning the book this date.
A general view of its content.
a.
This is the first history of the church.
b.
It covers a period of thirty-two years in twenty-eight Chapter s.
c.
The book, like Genesis, is one of beginnings and is just as important. It contains the following beginnings:
The beginning of the Holy Spirit’s work of evangelization.
The beginning of gospel preaching. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
The beginning of the church of the Lord.
The beginning of the Christian dispensation.
The beginning of salvation through the blood of Christ.
The beginning of world-wide evangelism.
d.
The book centers around the work of two great apostles:
Peter to the Jews.
Paul to the Gentiles.
e.
The book evolves around four geographical centers: 1) Jerusalem, 2) Antioch, 3) Ephesus, 4) Rome.
f.
The book gives to us the divine execution of the Great Commission. Cf. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47.
THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM
All the events of the first seven Chapter s can be summed up under the heading: The Church in Jerusalem. In the picture of the preceding page you can observe an artist’s conception of Jerusalem as it appeared in the time of the events recorded in the book. Within the walls are designated four buildings. These are lettered and named as follows:
A.
The Upper Room,
B.
The Temple,
C.
The Public Ward or Jail,
D.
The Synagogue of the Libertines.
In and around these buildings, (which, with the exception of the Temple, are conjecturally located) all the events recorded in the first seven Chapter s took place. These events can be counted as eighteen in number and are so designated on the preceding page. You can follow these events, one by one, as to where they took place and as to what happened by following the numbers on the chart from one through eighteen and reading the scripture references given. The pages following are simply an enlargement upon the points or numbers you found upon the foregoing picture. The scripture is printed under the heading of the points and the comment following is intended to make the events recorded in the text a living reality to your mind and heart.
THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM
All the events of the first seven Chapter s can be summed up under the heading: The Church in Jerusalem. In the picture of the preceding page you can observe an artist’s conception of Jerusalem as it appeared in the time of the events recorded in the book. Within the walls are designated four buildings. These are lettered and named as follows:
A.
The Upper Room,
B.
The Temple,
C.
The Public Ward or Jail,
D.
The Synagogue of the Libertines.
In and around these buildings, (which, with the exception of the Temple, are conjecturally located) all the events recorded in the first seven Chapter s took place. These events can be counted as eighteen in number and are so designated on the preceding page. You can follow these events, one by one, as to where they took place and as to what happened by following the numbers on the chart from one through eighteen and reading the scripture references given. The pages following are simply an enlargement upon the points or numbers you found upon the foregoing picture. The scripture is printed under the heading of the points and the comment following is intended to make the events recorded in the text a living reality to your mind and heart.
ACTS EXAMINATION OVER Chapter S ONE AND TWO
What do you think of the title of the book?
Give two reasons for saying Luke wrote the book.
What does Nero have to do with the book of Acts?
How many years are covered in this narrative?
How do I know that gospel preaching began in this book?
Do you say the church has the record of its beginning in this book? Prove it.
What four cities appear most often in this book?
What is meant by the divine execution of the great commission?
What is a treatise?
Is everything Jesus taught recorded in the New Testament?
What is The commandment spoken of in verse two?
In what places was the great commission given?
What question did the apostles ask Jesus on His last day on earth?
What is strange about the above question?
With an open Bible outline the five results of the unity.
Should the community of goods described in these verses be practiced today? If not, why not?
Why would it be logical to imagine Jehovah saying while looking over the list of names in the Lamb’s book of life these are my called out ones, my church?
How did the promise of the power answer the question of the apostles?
How will Jesus come in like manner as He went?
What comparison can we make in Acts 1:1 to Acts 2:12 to our lives? (Read the text).
How did the apostles secure the upper room as place for their living?
Name the twelve apostles.
Was there a ten day prayer meeting? If not, what was there?
True or False
There was a lapse of time between the prayer meeting and the filling of the office of Judas.
The filling of the office of Judas happened while there were 120 present in the large upper room.
The filling of the office of Judas lends no particular force to the thought that only the apostles were baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah said: Let his habitation be made desolate, and let no man dwell therein and, his office let another take.
It was 700 years between the prophecy and its fulfillment.
Judas pointed Jesus out to His enemies by kissing Him.
Jesus never really called Judas.
Judas did not himself buy the field in which he fell. (i.e. personally).
Judas was slaughtered in this field.
It was a potter’s field.
The field came to be called by strangers: The field of blood.
There was only one direct qualification given for an apostle.
The apostles knew even before Pentecost that they were to preach the resurrection of Christ.
The place to which Judas fell was the paupers-’ field.
God was the one who chose Matthias.
Fill in the Blanks
The five steps in discovering God’s will in matters that are not spoken of in God’s word are:
Know that ___________________________________________________________ ______ Second. Know that _____________________________________________ _____________________________________ Third. To have ___________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Fourth. To pray ________________________________________________________ Fifth. Make ___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The day of Pentecost was the day toward which the whole ___________ and ___________ of Jesus pointed.
On this day Jesus-’ words in Caesarea Philippi were fulfilled when He said: _______________________________________________________ Matthew 16:18
The hand of God can be seen in the selection of the day of Pentecost as the day for the establishment of the church for the proper ________ were present, the proper ________ was present, and the proper ________ was present to accomplish this wonderful work.
The apostles were all together in an ____________________________ in the temple for the Holy Spirit baptism.
The day of Pentecost was also called the feast of the __________________________ because:
The reason for the sound as of a rushing wind and the tongues like as of fire was to attract ______________ and ______________ from the crowd.
We can know for a certainty that verse of the ______________ second chapter is a fulfillment of verse ______ of the first chapter.
The ______________ of the apostles was that portion of their beings baptized in the Holy Spirit.
There was devout Jews from ______________ (give the number) nations present in Jerusalem for Pentecost.
Can you find TEN MISTAKES in this paragraph?
(Cross out the mistakes)
All the crowd said: They are filled with new wine. But Peter standing up with the twelve lifted up his voice and spake forth unto them and said: Ye men of Judea and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem. then it was that he said it was only the ninth hour of the day and therefore these men could not be drunk. He further said that this was a fulfillment of Jacob’s prophecy. The last days mentioned are the last days of Israel and Jacob. The pouring forth of His spirit upon all flesh was not accomplished on that day in any form. The statements in verses seventeen and eighteen relative to the prophesying and visions (read them if you like) can be understood as the baptism in the Holy Spirit of such persons. The proposition of Peter’s sermon was: A demonstration of Jesus as the Christ. His sermon was addressed directly to the men present and brought great conviction to them. There were five points in the sermon’s development. David spoke of the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah. These facts Peter’s sermon demonstrated occurred in the life of the Christ. There were two results to Peter’s sermon. The three thousand were baptized in a day or two and thus on the coming Lord’s day they continued in the breaking of the bread.
Acts 1:1-5
INTRODUCTION Acts 1:1-5.
The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,
until the day in which he was received up, after that he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
to whom he also showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God:
and, being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me:
for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.
Here are a few of the points of interest found within these verses Luke penned as an introduction to the history of the church in Jerusalem:
MOUNT OF OLIVES.
In the drawing you are looking at the mount of ascension and the chapel of ascension. The Mount of Olives is a limestone ridge, a little more than a mile in length. There are seven peaks in this ridge that runs the whole length of the city of Jerusalem. On the north the ridge bends around to the west and thus encloses the city on the north and east. David walked down from the city of Jerusalem into the Kidron valley and up the slopes of the Mount of Olives in his flight from Absalom (2 Samuel 15:30). Solomon built high places on the Mount of Olives. (2 Kings 23:13). Ezekiel saw the Mount of Olives in a vision. Read about that strange sight in Ezekiel 10:4; Ezekiel 10:19; Ezekiel 11:23. The prophet Nehemiah indicated that at one time there were many trees growing in this valley. (Nehemiah 8:15). It was on the road up from this valley that our Lord rode in His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. (Mark 11:8) It was on this Mount that Jesus sat when He viewed the city of Jerusalem and wept because of their unbelief. (Mark 13:1; Matthew 23:37). The garden of Gethsemane is in the valley at the foot of the Mount of Olives. (John 18:1; Matthew 26:30; Matthew 26:36). Our Lord last appeared on earth on the fortieth day after His resurrection on the Mount of Olives.
**Acts 1:1 **He wrote a former treatise, or book, to the same person to whom this present work is addressedone Theophilus. This name is Grecian and is said to mean lover of God. In this former treatise he discussed all that Jesus did and taught. Notice that he says he wrote concerning all that Jesus did and taught. He does not say he recorded every spoken word of Christ nor described every act of the Master. He says that he only wrote concerning these things. This is in agreement with John 20:30-31; John 21:25.
**Acts 1:2 **The former treatise ended with the day in which He (Jesus) was received up. By referring to Luke 24:50-53 we find the events described in exact agreement with the time spoken of in Acts 1:2 a. Luke also says that Jesus was received up only after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen. J. W. McGarvey arranges this verse in the following orderuntil the day in which, having given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up. (Read the verse over and then read McGarvey’s comment upon it which follows.) In this rendering of verse two, the exact order of the clauses in the Greek is followed and the connection between the day of the ascension and the commandment given on that day is expressed as in the original. (**New Commentary on Acts **Vol. I, pages 1 and 2.) Jesus gave the commandment, or as we so often call it, the Great Commission, more than once. The time of its giving here was on the ascension day which will be described in the ensuing verses. The fact that the Commission was given through the Holy Spirit to chosen apostles lends force to its great importance.
**Acts 1:3 **The words to whom he also showed himself alive. refer, of course, to the apostles. Notice that the chronological order of events as found in the life of Christ is not here followed. Rather, the thought expressed in verse two, i.e. the apostles whom he had chosen, suggests the thought of verse three and this thought further suggests those appearances of Jesus after his passion to his chosen leaders in which He spoke to them things concerning the kingdom of God.
**Acts 1:4 **Then the thought of His appearance to His apostles during the forty-day period suggests one of those appearances in which Jesus said something upon the subject which is to follow in the book of Acts, so Luke speaks of that time when, in the upper room, Jesus showed Himself alive. The whole wonderful story is recorded in Luke 24:13-49.
To what does the former treatise refer?
What do you know of Theophilus?
How is the word began used in Acts 1:1?
How is the word concerning used?
On what day was the former treatise concluded?
What advantage is there in the arrangement of Act 1:2 as given by J. W. McGarvey?
Was the Great Commission given more than once? If so where is the other place or places?
**Acts 1:5 **Finally in verse five, the writer gives us a little more specific information on the precious comment he made in his former treatise (Luke 24:49) when Jesus said ye shall be clothed with power from on high. Luke now tells us that this is the promise of the Father which they had heard from Jesus (John 14:16) and lest they become confused as to what this promise included, he informs them through the words of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11-12) Ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.
Now let us take a backward look at the marvelous progression of connected thoughts in these verses. Luke begins his treatise to Theophilus by saying:
a.
He wrote a former treatise concerning the teaching and acts of Jesus. Acts 1:1.
b.
That it ended on the day of His ascension. Acts 1:2 a.
c.
That on this day He gave the Commission to his chosen apostles. Acts 1:2 b.
d.
That He had previously shown Himself alive to these apostles by many (infallible) proofs by the space of forty days and had spoken to them things concerning the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3
e.
That at one of these appearances He charged them, as He was teaching them concerning the kingdom of God, not to depart from Jerusalembut to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4-5.
State in your own words the connection of Act 1:2 b, Acts 1:3, and Acts 1:4.
Show the connection of Luk 24:29; Acts 1:5 and John 14:16.
From memory give in your own words the five thoughts of Act 1:1-5.
Acts 1:6-11
ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVET Acts 1:6-11.
They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his own authority.
But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.
**Acts 1:6 **Luke had already told Theophilus that Jesus appeared by the space of forty days. Now he describes that last memorable day. Luke had further told him that Jesus spoke things to the eleven concerning the kingdom of God, so the question of the apostles would not be at all strange, when they asked, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? Not at all strange, did we say? No? Not as to content, but as to the utter lack of understanding of the kingdom of God, it is indeed strange. We remember that the apostles had walked with and listened to Jesus until they had now come to His last day on earth and **still **they had not freed their minds of the thought of the restoration of the physical kingdom of David to Israel.
Acts 1:7-8 Jesus does not chide them for their misconception, possibly being satisfied that the apostles understood that a kingdom was about to be set up, however distorted might be their view of it. He simply reminds them that their question about the time of the coming kingdom was not for them to know and was of secondary importance. The all important truth for them at this time was what He had promised them while they were in the upper roomthat they were to wait for power through the Holy Spirit; and that through this power, which was to come upon them, they were going to be made witnesses for Him both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
**Acts 1:9-11 **The inspired writer pictures graphically the ascension of Jesus. A further word can be added to this description by reading his former treatise on this very point.. and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. (Luke 24:50-51)
We know of no artist who has successfully painted the scene described in Acts 1:9-11. Possibly this is true because the event therein described is beyond the brush of an artist.
On what day do the events of Act 1:6-11 occur?
What is not strange and what is strange about the question of the apostles?
Why was the time of the setting up of the kingdom of Israel of secondary importance to the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
What is the further word added by Luke in his gospel that is not found in Acts regarding the ascension of Jesus?
We want to notice that the two men or angels did not appear in the heavens into which the apostles were gazingbut while their eyes were cast heavenward the two men stood beside them in white apparel. With the words, Ye men of Galilee, the two men probably turned the heads of the apostles from their worshipful gaze into the sky to staring awestruck upon these two heavenly strangers. The two men left with the eleven the same truth that Jesus had spoken to them at the time He had promised them the Holy Spirit(John 14:1-3). But now they could see; now they could understand; now they could know the true meaning of these strange words. In addition to a reiteration of the promise of the second coming made by Jesus, they said He would come in like manner as ye beheld him going.
Now for a backward glance over these verses to formulate an outline as the basis for memorizing the events of Act 1:6-11.
a.
The apostles gather with Jesus on the mount of Olivet on the day of His ascension. Acts 1:6 a.
b.
Their conversation together consisted of their misguided question about the kingdom and Jesus-’ reply that the time was in the authority of the Fatherbut that their need was to realize the coming power and its results in making them witnesses. Acts 1:6 b - Acts 1:8.
c.
The actual ascension of Jesus attended as it was with the amazement of the apostles; the cloud; the two men and their message of His return. Acts 1:9-11.
Would not you, too, be held by the spell of the moment to the spot on that little hill? To watch before you the bodily form of one you had known so well suddenly begin to rise from the earth; then to see His progress into the sky until He passed out of sight into a cloud? It is true Jesus had told them, before He began this miraculous ascent, that He intended for them to promptly leave for the citybut who wouldn-’t have forgotten these words for a moment as he stood in the presence of such an event?
Where did the two men in white apparel appear and why did they chide the apostles?
What did the two angels add to the words of Jesus in John 14:1-3?
From memory give in your own words the three thoughts of Act 1:6-11.
Acts 1:12-26
IN THE UPPER ROOM Acts 1:12-26
Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey off.
And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
These all with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together, about a hundred and twenty),
Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.
For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry.
(Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.)
For it is written in the book of Psalms,
Let his habitation be made desolate, And let no man dwell therein: and, His office let another take.
Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,
beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection.
And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen,
to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.
And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
a.
Their return. Acts 1:12
**Acts 1:12 **Verse twelve is a transition verse linking up the two places designated on the picture on page 22. If you will read Luke 24:52-53, you will discover that they returned with great joy and that they were continually in the temple blessing God. So, we can say that they spent their time of waiting either in the temple or in the upper room. At least, the events described in the text would have taken place in one of these two places. The position of the mount called Olivet, from which Jesus was taken up, is about seven-eights of a mile east of Jerusalem. This distance is called a sabbath day’s journey.
What two points do we find in Luke 24:52-53 that are not mentioned in Acts 1:12?
b.
The prayer meeting. Acts 1:13-14.
**Acts 1:13 **Can you imagine the feeling of joy that must have surged through their hearts as they walked with eager steps down the slope of the mount of Olives, down into the Kidron Valley and looked up to the heights of the wall of Jerusalem? Never had those walls, which were so familiar to them, appeared as they did on that day, for they now were to enclose that place where the risen Lord had told them to wait.
Oh, that today, as we press on towards that new Jerusalem, we might believe in our hearts that Jesus is as much alive as He was in that day! The same holy confidence and joy can be ours for we have the same evidence; yea, more, upon which to found our convictions that He ever liveth and will keep His promises now even as He did then.
Verse thirteen speaks of the house in which the apostles had been living. There is good reason to believe that this house is the same one described in Luke 22:7-13. Be that as it may, Luke here tells us who those were that went into that upper chamber. It would be well to learn the names of the twelve apostles if you have not already done so. They are:
Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot,
Judas the son of James.
Add to this list the name of Matthias and you have the twelve.
**Acts 1:14 **Immediately upon entering the city and the upper room the eleven along with certain women; Mary, the mother of Jesus; and the brethren of Jesus held a prayer meeting. They were in total accord one with another and so continued steadfastly in prayer for some time.
In what two places did the events described in Acts 1:12-26 occur?
How far is a sabbath day’s journey? How did it come to be called a sabbath day’s journey?
What comparison can we make today with the event in Acts 1:12?
What do you know of the upper room spoken of in Acts 1:13?
Give from memory the eleven apostles as found in Acts 1:13.
What was the first act upon coming into the city and entering the upper room?
c.
The place of Judas filled. Acts 1:15-26,
**Acts 1:15 **We must remember that all of the events described in the first chapter took place in the ten days that elapsed from the day of ascension to the day of Pentecost, Notice what is said to have happened in this period: (It is heard quite often that the eleven held a ten-day prayer meeting, They did something besides pray.)
a.
They held a prayer meeting in the upper room, Acts 1:14.
b.
They were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke 24:52-53.
c.
They transacted the business of filling the office of Jud 1:15-25.
The place where the filling of the office of Judas occurred is not mentioned in the textbut the text does indicate a lapse of time between the prayer meeting in the upper room and the business of filling the vacancy in the office of the twelve. This indication is found by realizing that in verse fifteen we have a multitude of one hundred and twenty persons gathered, whereas in verse fourteen, we find only the eleven, the women, Mary, and the brethren of Jesus.
It seems to the writer altogether possible, if not probable, that the gathering of the one hundred and twenty persons would have been in the large upper room. Here are the reasons for concluding that the selection of Matthias took place in the upper room and not in the temple or some other place of public assemblage:
a.
The fact that this was the place of residence for the eleven, and since this was a personal or private matter, it would not be reasonable to imagine them carrying out this selection in any public place such as the temple.
b.
The opposition to the work of Christ would prevent or hinder the apostles from transacting this matter in a public gathering. Their knowledge of the situation would make it unwise to do such a thing.
c.
The upper chambers of the city of Jerusalem were such as could accommodate a crowd of one hundred and twenty persons.
**Acts 1:16 **Notice the content of the sixteenth verseread it. Let us mark the circumstances: The eleven were promised by Jesus that they would be baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5), and that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit was come upon them (Acts 1:8). With these promises impressed upon their hearts, they walked into the city to wait for the fulfillment. But here we have them gathered in a formal meeting to carry out a specific work. Isn-’t it a bit strange? It is, unless we understand that the apostles knew they were going to be baptized in the Holy Spirit according to promise and prophesy and that there should be **twelve **in the group. Because of this, Peter directed the selection of one to fill this vacancy left by the betrayal of Judas. This truth lends still more force to the thought that only the twelve were baptized in the Holy Spirit.
What three things happened in the 10 days from the ascension to Pentecost?
How do we know there is a lapse of time between the prayer meeting and the filling of the office of Judas?
What reasons do we have for concluding that the filling of the office of the twelve occurred in the upper room?
**Acts 1:17-20 **Seven hundred years before the angels sang of the advent of the Messiah, that man after God’s own heart wrote these words: Let his habitation be made desolate, and let no man dwell therein and, His office let another take. Little did David know that it would be seven hundred years before these words would find their fulfillment in Judas, the betrayer of the Christ. But the same Spirit that spoke these words to the mind of the Psalmist directed their fulfillment. Peter arises in the midst of the one hundred and twenty brethren to tell of this son of perdition in whom this prophecy finds its consummation. Peter gives five things about Judas in verses sixteen through twentynote them:
a.
Who was guide to them that took Jesus, Acts 1:16 b.
b.
He was numbered among us i.e. he was counted as one of the twelve. Acts 1:17 a.
c.
And received his portion in this ministry i.e., he had as much a part in the ministry to which Jesus called the twelve as any other. Acts 1:17 b.
d.
Obtained a field with the thirty pieces of silver. This was done indirectly through the priests. Although the field was purchased by the priests, it was counted as being purchased by Judas since it was his money that made the transaction. Acts 1:18 a. Cf. Matthew 27:3-8.
e.
He fell headlong into the field from his hanging position and burst asunder in the field. Hence, the name given to the field by those living near there: The Field of Blood.
**Acts 1:21-26 **In the six remaining verses, we have an account of the actual business at hand. First, Peter very carefully gave the qualifications of the man who could properly occupy the vacancy left by Judas. It would have to be one of those who have companied with us (them) all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us (them), beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us (them). Acts 1:21-22 a. Peter also specifically stated the purpose of this selection. It was so this one could be, along with the eleven, a witness of His resurrection. It is significant to note that even before the day of Pentecost, the apostles took the words of Jesus: Ye shall be my witnesses to mean that they were to be witnesses or proclaimers of His resurrection. Acts 1:21-22. The apostles were to be witnesses in the sense of ambassadors, Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:20.
Show the connection of the selection of one to take the place of Judas and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Give from memory in your own words the five things concerning Judas mentioned by Peter.
Later we are to read in Acts 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen.. A similar incident took place herethe statement of Peter pleased the whole multitude of the one hundred and twenty and they put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
When we know what God said in regard to a certain matter and yet a selection must be made as to how this matter will be executed only prayer can determine God’s will. By asking for His providential leadership His will can be made known. This was the procedure in the case of the eleven. Notice the steps and mark them well as an example for our discovery of God’s will in some matters.
a.
To know that God wants something to be done. In this case it was the filling of the office of the twelve.
b.
To know that now is the time for action. This they knew from the coming day of power, not many days hence.
c.
To have a man (or men) who is (are) qualified to occupy the place of God’s servant. This they had in Barsabbas and Matthias.
d.
To pray an unselfish and dependent prayer for God’s leadership. This was surely the prayer of the eleven as recorded in verses twenty-four and twenty-five. It would be well to look closely into the content of the prayer, demonstrating as it does their utter dependence upon God for His knowledge of who was fitted for this place.
Thou, Lord, **who knowest the hearts of all men, **show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen.
It is also of interest to find within this prayer a reiteration of a very bluntly stated fact: that Judas fell away from this ministry of apostleship to go to his own place. Being as he was a son of perdition we can have no hesitancy as to what place is here meant.
What were the qualifications given by Peter for the one to take the place of the apostle Judas?
What was the purpose of this selection?
Did the apostles know God’s will in the case at hand? If so, why the prayer?
State in your own words the five steps in finding the Lord’s will in this situation.
How can we know God’s will today?
How can we know the time for action in the will of God?
e.
Make, then some move on your part in which the providence of God can be manifested. This was the reason for the casting of lots. Otherwise, there would have been, of necessity, some direct operation of the mind of God upon the mind of man, in which, such information would have been given. But since it is not the nature of Jehovah to thus convey knowledge when there is some other more natural method, we find the eleven casting lots. And the lot fell upon Matthias and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
The question as to whether Matthias was in truth an apostle should be settled with these words the Holy Spirit spoke through Luke:. . **and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
**