Chapter One
Living Proof
1:1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
Luke addresses this account of the apostles to Theophilus (click here to learn about Theophilus), Luke reminds him that he had previously written in the book of Luke what Jesus did and taught, all of the way up to the day He ascended. Now, in this book he will continue to report on Jesus after His resurrection, with a few new items that he did not include in his gospel account. Events that occurred during the forty days between His resurrection and the time He ascended into heaven. Luke begins by reporting that Jesus gave the apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit, the source of power for them and for all believers.
1:3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God
He then notes that Jesus demonstrated to them that He was indeed alive (after being crucified) and further instructed them about the kingdom of God (regarding the gospel message). According to Paul, after Jesus appeared to His apostles, “Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:6, ESV) No further details are given.
Empowerment Coming
1:4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
While Jesus was staying with the apostles, He told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Holy Spirit, as promised by His Father. He explained that John baptized with water, but they would soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit. When John the Baptist first saw Jesus, he recognized Him as the “Lamb of God” and stated that He will (in the future) baptize with the Holy Spirit (see John 1:33). That prophecy was reinforced here as Luke reports that the apostles will indeed be baptized with the Holy Spirit (click here to read the commentary for Luke 3:15-17). Many debate as to what that means, often raising questions like, “Does that mean that the person is washed by the Holy Spirit?” and “Is baptism with the Holy Spirit equivalent to being baptized with fire?” (See Matthew 3:11) While the debates regarding baptism are seemingly unending (click here to read more about Sacraments), in context, the Holy Spirit does indeed clean us spiritually after accepting Jesus as our Savior. Physically we are no different, but instead of seeing a sinner that is condemned to Hell, God the Father sees a righteous person who He has adopted as His own child. Not by any effort or action of our own but through the blood of His Son Jesus.
Regarding the use of fire, God does use what is known as a refiner’s fire (see Malachi 3:2-3) to sanctify believers, however, that typically pertains to discipline and correction usually later in their walk. In context, fire is frequently connected in the New Testament to judgment (see Matthew 3:10, 12; 5:22; 7:19; 13:40, 42, 50; 18:8-9; 25:41; Mark 9:22, 43, 48; Luke 3:17; 17:29; John 15:6; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15; Hebrews 1:7; 10:27; 12:18; James 3:5-6; 5:3; 1 Peter 1:7; 2 Peter 3:7; Jude 1:7, 23; Revelation 8:7-8; 13:13; 14:10; 16:8; 17:6; 18:8; 20:9). In the Old Testament the term fire is often referenced pertaining to procedures performed by priests around the Tabernacle and later the Temple. There is a direct connection to these procedures and sin being atoned to prevent judgment. Is baptism by fire the same as baptism by the Holy Spirit? Scripture does not clearly define the application of fire for baptism, but in context it does not seem likely to be the same as the word implies, sin being judged.
It is important to remember that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is only God’s task, not something a person does, it is fully a divine activity.
Jesus Ascends
1:6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 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.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.
His apostles still had in mind the restoration of the physical kingdom of Israel as prophesied (see Ezekiel 36:1-38 and Joel 2:1-32). They inquire of Jesus if He was going to restore the kingdom at this time. Jesus explains that not only will He not tell them when the restoration of Israel will take place, they are not to know God’s schedule of events. Instead, they are to understand that they will be given power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them and empower them to witness (evangelize) to the world beginning with Judea and Samaria.
When Jesus was finished talking, He was lifted up into a cloud that took Him out of their sight. Then two men (angels) appeared standing next to the apostles and asked them why they were looking up. The two angels explained that Jesus was taken up to heaven and will return some day in the same way as they saw Him ascend into heaven just now.
Considerations
Not Seeing the “Big Picture”
The apostles ask Jesus about the restoration of Israel. Which is truly an important event and it will occur as promised in the Old Testament. But this is not directly related to the kingdom of God. Jesus wanted them to focus on the monumental task that laid before them, to evangelize the world. A task that has been handed down from the first apostles to many generations of apostles, and then ultimately to us! But the apostles had difficulty in seeing the bigger picture, Jesus was trying to ‘recalibrate’ their thinking, to expand beyond the temporary world of today to see the importance of spreading the news about the future and eternal world we call heaven.
Christians today suffer from the same malady, we can get ‘caught up’ or distracted by so many things of this world that we forget about heaven and the need to witness to others. As believers we should never lose sight of that future, the bigger picture, but our efforts to daily serve God should remain our priority.
It is interesting to note that the restoration of Israel is one of many promises given to the Israelites that has yet to be fulfilled. Since God’s promises are always fulfilled there should be no doubt that the restoration will indeed occur. Sadly, many theologians have either overlooked this event or have chosen to ignore it (as those who embrace the concept of replacement theology have done, click here for more information), and as a result they also deny the thousand-year period (also known as the Millennium, click here to read about the Millennium) the period of time when God will restore the kingdom of Israel.
Timing
Jesus informs His apostles that it is not for them to know the ‘times’ (Greek ‘chronous’, the perception of time quantitatively) and ‘seasons’ (Greek ‘kairous’, the time of accomplishment, which considers time qualitatively as a period characterized by the influence of something, a period of opportunity, it can be a reference to foreordained events such as climate seasons or even prophetic events). Since the timing of things is God’s realm, Jesus tells them (and us) that they should not be concerned about the future, they need to focus on the task of evangelism no matter what happens. This is still a problem with humanity today, always fretting about tomorrow. We can plan, but just like when Jesus taught in the parable of the foolish rich man (see Luke 12:13-21), knowing the future could negate or damage our relationship and reliance on God. A concept reminiscent of Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (ESV) God provides illumination for us to see the path at our feet, not what is up ahead or around the corner. We need to rely on Him one day (or one step) at a time.
Apostles Return to Jerusalem
1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
The apostles return to Jerusalem as instructed by Jesus from being on the Mount of Olives where Jesus ascended near Bethany (see Luke 24:50-54). Some believe that since we are told that it was a Sabbath day’s journey that the ascension occurred on the Sabbath.
1:13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, 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.
The eleven remaining inner-circle of apostles went to “the upper room.” Since most homes had upper rooms it unlikely the same “upper room” where they celebrated the Seder with Jesus several weeks prior to this time. We will read in verse fifteen that it must have been a sizable room (it had to accommodate at least 120 people). The name Bartholomew (which means “son of Tolmai”) is associated with Nathaniel, and Judas the son of James is also known as Thaddeus.
1:14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
While gathered in the upper room they were with one accord (Greek homothymadon, of the same mind, unanimous consent) being continually devoted to prayer while they waited (see verse four). They were joined by the women that played an integral role in Jesus’ ministry (which likely included Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife Clopas, Mary and Martha, Salome, and potentially several others), Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers (James, Joseph, Jude, and Simon, see Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). Even though his brothers (actually half-brothers) originally did not believe Jesus was who He said He was during His ministry (see John 7:5), they apparently became convinced after His resurrection.
Considerations
A Sabbath Day’s Journey
In fear of violating the Sabbath by walking “too far” based on Exodus 16:29 and Numbers 35:5, the rabbis determined a ‘safe’ maximum walking distance and defined it to be 2,000 cubits (approximately one-half mile) and was later codified in the Jewish Mishnah.
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
1:15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”
Peter at some point stood up among those gathered which is estimated to be approximately 120 people, and addressed the fact that the Scriptures had to be fulfilled. Referring to a time when David wrote while inspired by the Holy Spirit regarding Judas’ absence (verses he will quote in verse twenty), who he identifies as being the one who guided those who came to arrest Jesus directly to Him. And since Judas numbered among them (one of the twelve), and participated in this ministry, he was allotted a share of the ministry.
1:18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
These two verses are parenthetical as they provide information that is related but not pertinent to the subject, undoubtedly added for Theophilus’ sake. Here it reads that Judas bought a field with the silver he was given to betray Jesus and fell headlong that resulted in him splitting open his middle body and his bowels gushing out. When it became known to the people of Jerusalem they named the field Akeldama (transliterated from the Aramaic haqal demā’ meaning “Field of Blood”). But Matthew’s account reads differently: “Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” (Matthew 27:3-10, ESV, click here to read the commentary).
1:20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “ ‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “ ‘Let another take his office.’
Peter quotes Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8 as justification to fill the void of Judas’ absence. Peter must have been inspired by the Holy Spirit to quote these verses, since neither Psalm contains any reference to Judas or Jesus’ ministry.
1:21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”
Peter suggests that they choose someone who had been with them them the entire time, from the time Jesus was baptized to the time Jesus ascended. As they will be called upon to give witness of Jesus’ resurrection.
1:23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
The names of two men, both of whom were familiar with Jesus and His ministry, were nominated. The first one was Joseph called Barsabbas who also known as Justus, perhaps seen later in Acts 15:22, otherwise very little is known about him. The other man was Matthias who we know even less. Peter notes that this selection was to replace the apostolic ministry of Judas who deserted them to go where he belongs. The group prayed about a selection and then cast lots, the lot fell on Matthias, and so he became the twelfth apostle (see Proverbs 16:33).