Chapter One

1147 Acts of The Apostles Notes Introduction To The Acts Of The Apostles Writer. In the Acts of the Apostles Luke continues the account of Christianity begun in the Gospel which bears his name. In the "former treatise" he tells what Jesus "began both to do and teach"; in the Acts, what Jesus continued to do and teach through His Holy Spirit sent down. Date. The Acts concludes with the account of Paul's earliest ministry in Rome, a.d. 65, and appears to have been written at or near that time. Theme. This book records the ascension and promised return of the Lord Jesus, the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter's use of the keys, opening the kingdom (considered as the sphere of profession, as in Matthew 13.) to the Jews at Pentecost, and to the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius; the beginning of the Chris- tian church and the conversion and ministry of Paul. The Holy Spirit fills the scene. As the presence of the Son, exalting and reveal- ing the Father, is the great fact of the Gospels, so the presence of the Spirit, exalt- ing and revealing the Son, is the great fact of the Acts. Acts is in two chief parts: In the first section (1-9. 43) Peter is the prominent personage, Jerusalem is the centre, and the ministry is to Jews. Already in cov- enant relations with Jehovah, they had sinned in rejecting Jesus as the Christ. The preaching, therefore, was directed to that point, and repentance (i.e. "a changed mind") was demanded. The apparent failure of the Old Testament promises concerning the Davidic kingdom was explained by the promise that the kingdom would be set up at the return of Christ (Acts 2:25-31; Acts 15:14-16). This ministry to Israel fulfilled Luke 19:12-14. In the persecutions of the apostles and finally in the martyrdom of Stephen, the Jews sent after the king the message, "We will not have this man to reign over us." In the second division (Acts 10:1-28:31) Paul is prominent, a new centre is established at Antioch, and the ministry is chiefly to Gentiles who, as "strangers from the covenants of promise" (Ephesians 2:12), had but to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" to be saved. Chapters 11., 12., and 15. of this section are transitional, establishing finally the distinction, doctrinally, be- tween law and grace. Galatians should be read in this connection. The events recorded in The Acts cover a period of 32 years. 1158_1; Acts 7:38, that was in the church in the wilderness Israel in the land is never called a church. In the wilderness Israel was a true church (Greek: ecclesia = called-out assembly), but in striking contrast with the New Testament ecclesia (Matthew 16:18; Ref. Note Page 1021_2). The Promise Fulfilled Acts Chapters 1 & 2 Studies on The Holy Spirit Introduction: Would you like the Holy Spirit to come in power into your life? How about coming in power to your church? Our lesson today is about the fulfillment of the promise that Jesus made to His disciples of the gift of the Holy Spirit. How did they get ready for Him? How did the Holy Spirit come? Let's dive into our study and find out!  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU I. Ready for the Gift? A. Read Acts 1:3-5. Was anything required of the disciples in order to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? 1. If so, what preparation do you find in Acts 1:3? (At a very fundamental level you have to believe that Jesus is the Messiah who died for our sins and who was resurrected as proof that He defeated sin and death.)  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU 2. What preparation do you find in Acts 1:4? (They were directed to stay where they were and wait.) I thought waiting was a pain in the neck. Could it be preparation for something?  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU B. Read Acts 1:12-14. What did they do while they were waiting? (They were in constant prayer.) 1. What should we conclude about prayer and preparation for the gift of the Holy Spirit? 2. What do you think they were praying about? 3. Notice a "life" tip here. Because I travel in connection with my work, I fairly often find myself waiting. Waiting is a good time to pray. It turns wasted time into productive time. C. Notice this: In Acts 1:4 & Acts 1:12 Jesus tells them to wait in Jerusalem. Would the right location be a "preparation" for receiving the power of the Holy Spirit? If so, why? (God can have a specific place for us to work. Here, Jesus was very clear with the disciples. Jesus desired that the gospel be preached first in Jerusalem, and then spread from there. Luke 24:46-47.)  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU D. In Acts 1:15-26 we read that Peter takes the lead in selecting a replacement for Judas. Is this a waste of their time, or is organization part of the preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit in power? (This shows that organization is important.) E. Let's review. In preparation for the great gift of the Holy Spirit we find that Jesus leads in the following steps: 1. Conversion of the heart to believe Jesus is the risen Messiah; 2. Following the directions of Jesus as to the location of the work; 3. Prayer while waiting on God; and, 4. Organization for work.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU F. Before we leave this area, let's look at one important footnote. Read Acts 1:6. What is not required for the gift of the Holy Spirit? (Perfect theology. Perfect understanding of the mission. We sometimes look at fellow Christian believers and refuse to join in their work because their theology is not "up" to our exalted standards. This is not how we see the Holy Spirit working. The disciples obviously had some fundamental misunderstandings. That was one reason they needed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.)  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU II. Promise Fulfilled A. Read Acts 2:1-4. Were they obedient? (Yes, they were in "one place" as directed.) 1. What accompanies the Holy Spirit? (Noise, visuals, action.)  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU a. Why the sound of a "violent" wind from heaven? (Read John 3:6-8. Wind is a common representation of the Holy Spirit. See also Ezekiel 37:1-10.) Was it actually a violent wind? (No. Acts 2:2 says it was a sound "like" the blowing of a violent wind. This means it was not actually a violent wind, it just sounded like it.) b. Why do you think tongues of fire came with the sound of the wind? (Read Exodus 19:18 and Exodus 3:2-5. Fire is a common representation of God.) Was it actually fire that came to rest on them? (Acts 2:3 says it was "what seemed to be tongues of fire.")  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU B. According to Acts 2:3-4 how many of those present were filled with the Holy Spirit? (All of them.) C. Previously discussed was the idea of the Holy Spirit coming after Jesus left. Some pointed out that the Holy Spirit was already present. What does Acts 2:1-3 suggest in answer to this question of what it means for the Holy Spirit to come? (God has been "with" humans since the very beginning. But, there are times in history when God manifests Himself in power. The giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai comes to mind. Acts 2 is the Holy Spirit coming in power. We can see times when God wants there to be no doubt about when He is present and ready for business!) D. Read Acts 2:5-6. My mental picture of this event is Peter standing up in some public arena explaining what is happening. But, Acts 2:2 tells us that they were in a "house." How loud was this sound like a violent wind? (It sounds like you could hear it a long way off, if not throughout Jerusalem!) E. Look at Acts 2:4-8 One needs to understand the nature of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. What was the purpose of the gift of the Holy Spirit? (Previously we discussed the fabulous miracles that came with the power of the Holy Spirit. I think it is significant that the first work of the Holy Spirit when He came in power was to help the believers better communicate the gospel.)  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU F. Review again Acts 1:4-8. Recall that the disciples were looking for the power of God to give them authority and glory in the physical realm. Jesus told them that He would give them power to be witnesses. Friend, will you pray that the Holy Spirit will come on you in power to be a better witness? G. There is a significant debate about what it meant to have the gift of tongues in the early church. What does Acts 2:7-11 reveal is the gift of tongues? (The description of this event is very clear: the gift of tongues was the ability to speak in foreign languages.) 1. Why was that gift important for witnesses of the gospel? (Read again Acts 2:5. Assembled in Jerusalem were Jews from every nation. This is the perfect way to begin to spread the gospel of Jesus, the resurrected Messiah.) 2. Would a gift of incoherent language promote the gospel? (I'm far from sure that the "tongues ... of angels" (1 Corinthians 13:1) is a foreign language. But, what logic is there in being given the gift of a language which cannot be understood? The power is to used to witness. Speaking a language no one understands seems an odd witness. See, 1 Corinthians 14:6-12.) H. Read Acts 2:13-16. When the Holy Spirit comes in power in your life, will there be doubters? Did the criticism make sense? (Peter not only attacks the logic of the criticism, but he uses the Bible (Joel 2) to show this is a fulfillment of prophecy.) III. The Message A. Read Acts 2:22-24. What is the message of the Holy Spirit? Recall what we discussed were the steps to prepare for the Holy Spirit coming in power? How does this message relate to the preparation? (The first step was conversion of the heart to believe Jesus is the Messiah. We see that this is the prime message of those powered by the Holy Spirit.) B. Read Acts 2:37. What is the response to hearing a Spirit-filled message? (Repentance.) C. would you like to have the power of the Holy Spirit in your life? Pray today for the gift to be a powerful, Spirit-filled witness. Series on The Holy Spirit I. The Personality and Divinity of the Holy Spirit II. The Holy Spirit is Symbolized in Scripture III. Jesus and the Holy Spirit IV. The Promise of the Holy Spirit V. The Promise Fulfilled VI. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit VII. Gifts of the Holy Spirit VIII. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit IX. The Christian Guide X. Life Through the Holy Spirit XI. The Restorer XII. The Sin Against the Holy Spirit. XIII. The Holy Spirit in The Last Days. IV. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 12 A. Some questions: As a practical matter, what does it mean to be "baptized" with the Holy Spirit? What is it that the Holy Spirit will do to and through us? Is there some sort of test? Are there "approved" gifts and "approved" work? How can we know? B. We now look at how the Holy Spirit works in our life. V. Heart Baptism A. Read Acts 2:36-38. What caused the people to "be cut to the heart?" (The Holy Spirit speaking through Peter and convicting their hearts about Jesus.) 1. If the Holy Spirit was already causing the people to repent, then why would they need to "receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?" (This must be talking about degrees of the gift. Look at a related matter. The Bible tells us that they were "cut to the heart," yet Peter tells them to "repent." Obviously, he is suggesting a greater degree of conviction and confession. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins, but He desires to fill us even more fully.) 2. Read John 16:12-15. How is the gift of the Holy Spirit like a trip? (Jesus paints the work of the Holy Spirit like a spiritual journey in which the Holy Spirit is our guide. Our "trip" starts with repentance.) 3. Read Acts 2:39. Who is promised the opportunity to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? Who can take this trip with the Holy Spirit?(Everyone!) 4. Re-read Acts 2:38. Do you see that there is a sequence for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit? What are the steps? (First repent, second be baptized in Jesus' name for He paid the price for our sins, and third, receive the Holy Spirit to guide our spiritual walk.) 5. Are these steps difficult? (Our hard hearts resist repentance. But the steps are not difficult and the opportunity is open to all.) VI. Recognizing the Gifts of the Holy Spirit A. Acts 2:38 refers to receiving the "gift" of the Holy Spirit. We will now explore specific spiritual gifts. Right now, let's explore the general idea of the Holy Spirit and gifts. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-3. Paul says in verse 2 that "somehow or other you were influenced and led astray" to idols. Tell me what you think is this "somehow or other" that causes people to follow idols? 1. In contrast, how are Christians led? (By the Holy Spirit. Paul suggests that there are two influences in our life. On the one hand, the influence towards idols and to curse Jesus. On the other hand, the influence to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord.) 2. Why would Paul teach that no one can say, "Jesus is Lord" except through the Holy Spirit? Do you think this is really true? (This is Paul's typical approach. He is building an argument. This argument is that a person's actions fall into one of two categories: Spirit led and Demon led. Both categories are very broad and diverse.) B. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-5. A previous discussion considered whether speaking an incoherent tongue ("tongues of angels") was a gift of the Holy Spirit. Could an incoherent tongue be from Satan? (This is where the finger-pointing ends. If a person uses their incoherent tongue, however ineffectively, to promote Jesus - then that gift is from the Holy Spirit. This is the precise argument Paul is making. He says determining the source of the gift is very simple - does it promote or curse Jesus? Beyond that, you have tons of diverse gifts. The gift is not the proof of its source. The message of the gift is the proof of its source.) 1. Paul speaks in these verses about different "gifts," "service," and "workings." What does he mean by this? (There is an unlimited variety of things we can do to promote the Kingdom of God. Some are spiritual gifts, some are Spirit-filled service, some are Spirit-led work. Find your "spot" for promoting Jesus and let the Holy Spirit led you in that work.) 2. How can we know what is our "spot?" How can we know what gift(s)the Holy Spirit has given us? (Generally we like to do what we do well. A "gift" means you have a special ability in this area above the average. The first question you should ask yourself is this: "What do I enjoy doing in the church? What do people say that I have a talent for doing?") C. Read 1 Corinthians 12:7. What is the overall "test" for determining our spiritual gift(s)? (Whether what we are doing promotes the "common good." Notice the picture that Paul is painting. We can know whether our gift is from the Holy Spirit by determining whether it promotes Jesus or not. We then further ask whether our gift promotes the common good.) Examine yourself on the "common good" test. Why do you like to do something in the church? Do you like to do it because you think it brings glory to you? Or, because it blesses others? (I remember many years ago a member of the church who took classes to become the "head elder." I am convinced he wanted to hold this position in the church only so that he would have the honor of the position. Why did I think that? Because when the church failed to make him the head elder, he stopped attending church.) D. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-13. How does the illustration of the church being like a "body" help us to determine our spiritual gift(s)? (The idea is that our gift will work with the gifts of others in the church. Race, economic status make no difference in the body of Christ.) VII. Many Gifts For Many People. A. Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-20. Why would a "foot" want to become a "hand?" (Pride. The fellow who I just mentioned, who stopped attending the church, seemed to lack an interest in promoting the church body. When he found out that the church did not see him as a "hand," but rather as a "foot," he decided to stop being a part of the body altogether.) B. Read 1 Corinthians 12:21-25. Why would an "eye" say to the "hand" "I don't need you?" (Again, this is a problem of pride. The person who has the "eye" gift in the church is so blinded by pride that he thinks an "eye" is all the church needs.) 1. What does Paul suggest is the "cure" for the problem of pride (or lack of pride) in the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the church? (For many years I have been the Lay Pastor of my church. I am in front of the people teaching, preaching or doing something else just about every week. No one needs to "honor" me. Instead, the people who Paul says should be honored are those who toil away to promote the church where no one really sees them. For example, the people who mow the lawn, fix what is broken, visit the sick, etc.) a. In your church do you tend to honor those who are already honored? Or, honor those who toil away in obscurity? b. What will you do to be sure your church complies with Paul's suggestion to give greater honor to those parts which lack innate honor? C. Will you actively explore your spiritual gift(s) and putting your gift(s) to work in the body of Christ? VIII. Next: Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Series on The Holy Spirit I. The Personality and Divinity of the Holy Spirit II. The Holy Spirit is Symbolized in Scripture III. Jesus and the Holy Spirit IV. The Promise of the Holy Spirit V. The Promise Fulfilled VI. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit VII. Gifts of the Holy Spirit VIII. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit IX. The Christian Guide X. Life Through the Holy Spirit XI. The Restorer XII. The Sin Against the Holy Spirit. XIII. The Holy Spirit in The Last Days.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 1. The former treatise - In that important season which reached from the resurrection of Christ to his ascension, the former treatise ends, and this begins: this describing the Acts of the Holy Ghost, (by the apostles,) as that does the acts of Jesus Christ. Of all things - In a summary manner: which Jesus began to do - until the day - That is, of all things which Jesus did from the beginning till that day.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 2. After having given commandment - In the 3d verse Acts 1:3 St. Luke expresses in general terms what Christ said to his apostles during those forty days. But in the 4th Acts 1:4 and following verses he declares what he said on the day of his ascension. He had brought his former account down to that day; and from that day begins the Acts of the Apostles.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 3. Being seen by them forty days - That is, many times during that space. And speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God - Which was the sum of all his discourses with them before his passion also.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 4. Wait for the promise of the Father, which ye have heard from me - When he was with them a little before, as it is recorded, Luke 24:49.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 5. Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost - And so are all true believers to the end of the world. But the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost also are here promised.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 6. Dost thou at this time - At the time thou now speakest of? not many days hence? restore the kingdom to Israel? - They still seemed to dream of an outward, temporal kingdom, in which the Jews should have dominion over all nations. It seems they came in a body, having before concerted the design, to ask when this kingdom would come.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 7. The times or the seasons - Times, in the language of the Scriptures, denote a longer; seasons, a shorter space. Which the Father hath put in his own power - To be revealed when and to whom it pleaseth him.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 8. But ye shall receive power - and shall be witnesses to me - That is, ye shall be empowered to witness my Gospel, both by your preaching and suffering.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 12. A Sabbath-day's journey - The Jews generally fix this to two thousand cubits, which is not a mile.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 13. They went up into the upper room - The upper rooms, so frequently mentioned in Scripture, were chambers in the highest part of the house, set apart by the Jews for private prayer. These, on account of their being so retired and convenient, the apostles now used for all the offices of religion. Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 14. His brethren - His near kinsmen, who for some time did not believe; it seems not till near his death.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 15. The number of persons together - Who were together in the upper room. were a hundred and twenty - But he had undoubtedly many more in other places; of whom more than five hundred saw him at once after his resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:6.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 16. Psalms 41:9.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 18. This man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity - That is, a field was purchased with the reward of his iniquity; though very possibly Judas might design the purchase. And falling down on his face - It seems the rope broke before, or as he died.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 19. In their own tongue - This expression, That is, the field of blood, St. Luke seems to have added to the words of St. Peter, for the use of Theophilus and other readers who did not understand Hebrew.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 20. His bishopric - That is, his apostleship. Psalms 69:25.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 21. All the time that the Lord Jesus was going in and out - That is, conversing familiarly: over us - as our Master. Psalms 109:8.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 22. To be a witness with us of his resurrection - And of the circumstances which preceded and followed it.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 23. And they appointed two - So far the faithful could go by consulting together, but no further. Therefore here commenced the proper use of the lot, whereby a matter of importance, which cannot be determined by any ordinary method, is committed to the Divine decision.  â€¢ JFB Alt. Top â € ¢  JFB SRB  AC  OU Verse 25. Fell - By his transgression - Some time before his death: to go to his own place - That which his crimes had deserved, and which he had chosen for himself, far from the other apostles, in the region of death.

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