May 4, 2014
Morning Service

Acts 1

 

            We begin our study of the book of Acts this morning.  A few facts concerning this book.

1.       The last time we studied the book of Acts was in 2010.

2.      This book was written by Dr. Luke (a gentile Christian) who also wrote the gospel of Luke, and both letters are addressed to the same person, Theophilus, also, supposed to be a gentile Christian.

3.      Luke was written around the year 60 AD.  Acts was written around 62 AD.

4.      We will find that even though this book is referred to as the Acts of the Apostles, it is mostly about Peter to the Jews, and Paul to the gentiles.  It is the Acts of the early church.

 

As we study we should remember these very important Scriptures:

·         Paul telling Timothy;  2Ti 3:16-17  All scripture (our Holy Bible) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

·         Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

·         Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

John tells us why we have our Bible;  Joh 20:30-31  And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:  (31)  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

The more time we spend in studying the Bible, the greater our faith will be.

 

This is where Luke finished with his gospel.

Luk 24:45-53  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,  (46)  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  (47)  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  (48)  And ye are witnesses of these things.  (49)  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.  (50)  And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.  (51)  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.  (52)  And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:  (53)  And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

He begins the book of Acts in a similar manner.

Act 1:1-26  The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,  (2)  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:  (3)  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: 

·         Theophilus = A friend of God.  A gentile Christian.  A man of means.

·         Jesus spent 40 days teaching His disciples what they should know concerning the kingdom of God.

(4)  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.  (5)  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

 

·         Wait for the promise.  We will find Jesus is speaking of the prophecy of Joel 2:28-32.  But Jesus said “ye have heard of me.  John reminds us time and again concerning the coming of the Holy Ghost, or the comforter. ” Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

·         Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.  Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. Joh 16:8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Joh 16:9  Of sin, because they believe not on me; Joh 16:10  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Joh 16:11  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. Joh 16:12  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

·         John baptized with water, but You shall be baptized, or immersed in the Holy Ghost.

·         We will see this happen in the next chapter. 

(6)  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?  (7)  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.  (8)  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. 

·         Their thinking is still in the temporal.  They still don’t get it.

·         The times or seasons, this is still a mystery.  God has not revealed this yet.

·         But you shall receive power, after you have been immersed, or baptized in the Holy Ghost.  Jesus says, “when the Holy Ghost is come upon you.”  Same thing.

·         Notice the power they will have.  ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

(9)  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  (10)  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  (11)  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. 

·         Now is that not informative?  It goes right along with what the Apostle Paul teaches us concerning the Lord’s return.  I Thess. 4:13-18.

·         We need to recognize right here that Jesus is alive and is somewhere in the heavens preparing to come and take His church home.

(12)  Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey.  (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.  (14)  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

·         These all continued with one accord, in prayer, and supplication.  When was the last time you experienced this?  You probably never have.  God is their all in all.  They are sold out to God. 

·         However, this is what they were instructed to do.  They are walking in obedience to the Lord.  Nothing but good can come from this act of obedience.

·         You will notice, Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.  Brothers, and sisters.

Almighty God, help us to walk in obedience to Your word, as did the early church.