Acts 1

Introduction: Acts is a book that simply shows the fulfillment of the words of God through Jesus Christ. In this book we will see some awesome accounts of certain individuals getting empowered by the Holy Spirit and doing great works that further the Kingdom of Heaven. Written by Luke, the only gentile writer of the bible, he focuses much on the historical events that happened during the 30 some years after Jesus' death.

v3. Our faith rests on solid facts. When Jesus presented Himself resurrected to the world by many infallible proofs He showed that He was alive to several people. This is a believers standing point that Jesus is the Son of God. If we don't know this as fact then what do we have? nothing. There will be several places in the future in the book of Acts that I'll focus more on this.

v5. This should be proof enough that Salvation doesn't come from being immersed in water. If so, then why would Jesus have commanded here for further action? (Ref: Matt 3:11) Here also is a promise from Jesus directly which we get to see come true. Not many days from now is a great promise. Jesus is God and for only that reason could He know that the Holy Spirit is coming.

v8. you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you can be said negated, too. If we aren't covered in the Spirit, that third person of God that we often neglect, then we are powerless. But with that power, the disciples were able to be witnesses all over the world..try doing that in your own power. I also see this verse here as a command to tell the world about Christ. When you are a witness in court, what do you do? You tell what you know about the situation. A common misconception about sharing your faith is that many people think they have to know a lot. You are just simply telling what you know. But if you want to know more there are some great BIBLICAL techniques here: www.raycomfort.com

v11. A promise that our LORD will return...and in a pretty neat way, too!

v13,14 is a good example of obedience. I'm pretty sure that those who had just watched Jesus ascend into heaven wanted to go out and tell the world immediately. But as commanded in v4 by Jesus they had to wait for the promise of the Spirit. Again, this shows our helplessness without the Spirit working in the background. (He's not background by choice...we've pushed Him there-don't forget to thank God for sending His Spirit, His Helper, to..well, help us.)

v15. Peter takes charge of the group and lays out the plan. Sometimes the reason that no one steps up to be a leader is because God wants that leader to be you...or me. A hundred and twenty men had become faithful followers of Christ by this time.

The next several verses Peter talks about the fulfillment of a prophecy done by Judas Iscariot.
v18,19 Seems to mean that the rope Judas hung himself with broke and his body fell and left a mess on the ground below-a terrible death. This event made such an impact that the people of Jerusalem named the area after him: Akel Dama.

v20 the two quotes out of the Book of Psalms comes from 69:25 and 109:8 respectively. The first speaks of the area where Judas' body rests and that no one would ever live there. The latter is scripture that the position of one who works evil and is removed by God is to be replaced. While losing a member of the body is hard to take and very painful-it is important to replace that part to continue on with the mission laid before us: bringing others to Him.

v21,22 are the criteria for the replacement of the 12th disciple. He must have been an eye witness to the resurrection and had to have followed Jesus from the time he was baptized-Jesus' entire ministry. Therefore, there must have been more than just God's chosen twelve following Jesus around the entire time. Why Jesus focused on them I don't know, but Judas filled many prophecies from the that proved that Jesus was the Messiah. (The thirty pieces of silver is my favorite-Zechariah 11:12) I don't know much-but I know God had a purpose.

Casting lots was a Jewish custom that would determine God's chosen. Two tablets were put in a jar and shaken until the one chosen by God fell out. If God is sovereign, which He is, then everything is under His control. So there's no such thing as random...His hand is always in it.

v26 Matthias is now the new twelveth disciple, chosen between himself and Joseph(or Barsabas)-Chosen by God. We are God's Chosen. Just think on that for a second and feel blessed that even as detestable our actions are, God's grace overshadows it all because He loved enough to pay the price for us. AMEN!