Book of Acts of the Apostles

Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024

Chapter 1 Overview

Acts Chapter 1 verses 1-2

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

Luke refers to his first letter, the Gospel that bears his name. Explaining that the Gospel of Luke was about Jesus and his teachings.

Theophilus = unknown - Commentators over the centuries have made speculations in regards to this person. Nothing is known other than he is mentioned here and at the beginning of Luke’s gospel.

It was someone that John trusted enough with his written letter.  A person who would make sure it was passed around to the believers.

Acts Chapter 1 verses 3-4

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: 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.

Luke is now going to re-state The EVIDENCE of the RESURRECTED Christ.

He will be picking up where the last chapter of his Gospel finished. In the 24^th chapter of Luke he only summarized what he is expounding on now.

Acts Chapter 1 verses 5-8

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

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.  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.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit being promised

Acts Chapter 1 verses 9-11

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

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.

The Ascension of Jesus will begin the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Acts Chapter 1 verse 12

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

Jewish law forbade travel on Sabbath.  A Sabbath day travel was equal to less than a mile.

Acts Chapter 1 verse 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.

The “List” of Apostles.  This list is what earned this book the title often given to it of “The Acts of the Apostles”.

Even though some of these Apostles are never mentioned again in the book and there are some only mentioned a few times.

Acts Chapter 1 verse 14

These all continued with one accord in prayer and, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

What were they doing while waiting? They were in one accord. Perfect harmony, perfect agreement in heart, mind, soul.

They were in unison in agreement in PRAYER and in SUPPLICATION.

Oxford Dictionary definition of “Supplication”:  Supplication is the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.

The Disciples in this verse were earnestly begging for this “promised Holy Ghost”.

NOTE that “everyone” in the room was in total agreement, that means even the earthly family of Jesus, because the verse states that they were there!

Acts Chapter 1 verses 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,)

Note that Luke is making it clear that there were more than the chosen 12 disciples. There were 120 disciples in that room.

Acts Chapter 1 verses 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.

“…By the mouth of David spoke…” - Peter is making reference to Psalms.

Psalm 41:9 “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted  up his heel against me.”

Psalm 55:12-15 “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.”

The Death of Judas Iscariot

Acts Chapter 1 verses 17-19

For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 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. 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.

Luke never wrote about the death of Judas in his Gospel.  He mentions the betrayal in the Garden by Judas. Now he mentions Peter’s discourse on him.  The story of Judas is recounted by Matthew in chapter 27:3-10.  Prophesied by Zechariah to betray for 30 pieces of silver. Zechariah 11:12-13

Replacing Judas Iscariot

Acts Chapter 1 verses 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.

Once again referring to the Psalms.

Psalm 69:25 “Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.”

Psalm 109:8 “Let his days be few; and let another take his office.”

Acts Chapter 1 verses 20-26

Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 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.

And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Did Peter and the other ten step out of line in the idea of “having to appoint” a replacement?  Where does it state that there must be twelve official apostles? Does a critical problem occur if there are not twelve members?

They vote on a new member, but we never hear from the “replacement” in scripture again. Jesus called “his disciples”, meaning they were men to travel with and learn from him.  It was NEVER established that “the twelve” was a permanent institution. This was one “last thing” of “man’s control” BEFORE the outpouring and CONTROL of the Holy Spirit.

They had to “cast lots”. This became a method of voting back with the institution of the Priests under Aaron.  God’s decision being displayed by the casting of the Urim and Thummim stones in the Old Testament.

A theological debate could be made regarding whether God had ordained Paul to be the twelfth Apostle.  In the Book of Revelation, it is stated that the twelve will be sitting on thrones.