Acts 1

Acts Chapter 1 Commentary

Overview

Acts Chapter 1 serves as a sequel to the Gospel of Luke, chronicling the period after Jesus Christ's ascension, as the apostles await the Holy Spirit and prepare for the inception of the Church. Like the Gospel of Luke, this book begins with an address to a figure named 'Theophilus' and deals with events subsequent to Jesus' earthly ministry. Acts is a historical account detailing the birth of the early Church and the expansion of the Gospel, illustrating its spread not only to Jews but also to Gentiles. The ministries of the apostles Peter and Paul are central, and the book covers events spanning over approximately 30 years.

Structure of the Text

Acts Chapter 1 can be divided as follows:

Verses 1-5: Jesus' Ascension and the Promise of the Spirit

This section records Jesus' final teachings to His disciples before His ascension and His promise of the Holy Spirit.

Verses 6-11: Jesus' Ascension and the Disciples' Question

The disciples witness Jesus' ascension and question Him about the restoration of Israel.

Verses 12-26: The Apostles' Prayer and the Election of Matthias

After returning to Jerusalem, the disciples pray together and proceed to elect a successor to Judas Iscariot as an apostle.

Key Themes

The Power and Promise of the Holy Spirit: Before His ascension, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples, clarifying that this Spirit would empower them to be witnesses of the Gospel. This becomes the primary driving force of the early Church.

The Beginning and Expansion of the Church: Acts demonstrates how the Church began and expanded with the presence of the Holy Spirit after Jesus' ascension. It records the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and eventually to Gentile lands.

The Role and Witness of the Apostles: As witnesses of the resurrected Jesus, the apostles played a crucial role in proclaiming the Gospel and establishing the Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Their ministries and sufferings guided the history of the early Church.

God's Sovereignty and Providence: Throughout the Book of Acts, God's sovereign plan and providence are revealed. Events such as Jesus' ascension, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the election of the apostles all unfold according to God's will.

Section-by-Section Exposition

Verses 1-5: Jesus' Ascension and the Promise of the Spirit

Verse 1: The phrase "In my first book, Theophilus" (Greek: `τὸν πρῶτον λόγον` - 'the first account') suggests that the Gospel of Luke had already been written. Luke's Gospel is the 'first account' of Jesus' life and teachings, and Acts is presented as a 'second account' or 'account of what followed,' dealing with events after Jesus' ascension. Various traditions understand this book as the 'Acts of the Apostles' or 'Deeds of the Apostles,' indicating a record of their activities.

Verse 3: It is recorded that Jesus spoke to His disciples about "the kingdom of God" during the 40 days after His resurrection. This reiterates that the kingdom of God was the central theme of Jesus' earthly ministry.

Verses 4-5: Jesus commanded His disciples, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised." This promise refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which would be given not only to Jews but also, implicitly, to Gentiles. The Greek commentary emphasizes that the imperative "wait" signifies an essential preparatory process for receiving the power of the Holy Spirit.

Verses 6-11: Jesus' Ascension and the Disciples' Question

Verse 6: The disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" This question reflects the contemporary Jewish expectation of a political and military restoration through the Messiah. The Reformed tradition interprets this question as revealing the disciples' lingering Old Testament and nationalistic perspective.

Verse 7: Jesus replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority," limiting human knowledge of future events. This passage emphasizes God's sovereign rule.

Verse 8: Jesus declared, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This verse summarizes the theme of the entire Book of Acts, prophesying the global expansion of the Gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Wesleyan/Methodist tradition emphasizes the Holy Spirit's power as the core dynamic for evangelism.

Verses 9-11: This passage describes Jesus' ascension into heaven in the presence of His disciples. Two angels appear, foretelling Jesus' second coming and urging the disciples not to gaze into heaven but to await Jesus' promise.

Verses 12-26: The Apostles' Prayer and the Election of Matthias

Verse 12: The disciples returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, referred to as the "Mount of Olives."

Verses 13-14: The disciples prayed "with one accord," and it is recorded that "Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers" also prayed with them. This highlights the unity and importance of prayer in the early community of the Church.

Verses 15-22: Peter addressed the approximately 120 disciples, mentioning Judas Iscariot's betrayal and death, and stating the need to appoint someone to fill his office. He cited passages from the Psalms to argue for the necessity of a replacement for Judas's position.

Verses 23-26: Two candidates were presented: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. The disciples prayed, "Lord, you know everyone’s heart," asking the Lord to show them whom He had chosen. By casting lots, Matthias was chosen and "added to the eleven apostles." The Baptist tradition views this process as a decision made according to the order of the Church and God's guidance.

Insights from the Original Languages

πρῶτον (prōton): Used in verse 1 to refer to 'the first book,' meaning 'first.' This indicates that the Gospel of Luke was written before the Book of Acts.

λόγον (logon): In verse 1, this noun means 'account' or 'story.' Both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts have the character of 'word' and 'story' concerning Jesus Christ.

ἀναλαμβάνω (analambanō): In verse 2, this verb is used to mean that Jesus was 'taken up' (ascended). This signifies Jesus' glorious ascent to the right hand of God.

ἐπιπίπτω (epipiptō): In verse 8, this verb is used to mean 'comes upon.' It indicates the powerful descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, granting them power.

δύναμιν (dynamin): In verse 8, this noun means 'power.' It refers to the supernatural power given by the Holy Spirit to the disciples, serving as the core dynamic for proclaiming the Gospel.

μαρτύριον (marturion): In verse 8, this noun means 'witness.' It signifies that the disciples would become witnesses of the resurrection and life of Jesus Christ.

κλῆρος (klēros): In verse 26, this noun means 'lot.' It was the method used in the process of electing an apostle to seek God's guidance.

Theological Perspectives — Comparative Views by Tradition

Reformed Tradition: Acts Chapter 1 demonstrates the process of the Church's beginning and expansion within God's sovereign plan. The promise and coming of the Holy Spirit are not by human design but by God's grace, and the election of apostles is also according to God's guidance.

Wesleyan/Methodist Tradition: The power of the Holy Spirit is an essential element for evangelism, and the disciples' waiting for the Spirit is a crucial attitude of faith. Jesus' ascension is a prerequisite for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which is a grace available to all believers.

Lutheran Tradition: Jesus' ascension is Christ's glorious victory, and the work of the Holy Spirit continues through the Church. The role of the apostles was to bear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a role that continues today through the proclamation of God's Word.

Puritan Tradition: Acts Chapter 1 emphasizes prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which are essential elements of faith. The disciples' praying with one accord to seek God's will serves as a model for believers.

Baptist Tradition: The process of electing an apostle in Acts Chapter 1 is an important example of following the order of the Church and God's guidance. Seeking God's will through community decisions and the casting of lots can be applied to the Church today.

Anglican Tradition: As a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, Acts shows how Jesus Christ's ministry is carried on through the Holy Spirit in the Church. The witness of the apostles forms the foundation of the Church, which is perpetuated through the sacraments and the proclamation of the Word.

Greek Commentary: Through the nuances of the original languages, it delves deeply into the theological significance of Jesus' ascension and the promise of the Holy Spirit. It clarifies the relationship between Luke's Gospel and Acts by highlighting their connection as 'first account' and 'second account.'

German Pietist Tradition: Acts Chapter 1 shows a progression to a new stage of faith through Jesus Christ's ascension and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Emphasis is placed on personal piety and community prayer.

Korean Evangelical Tradition: As with the meaning of the word 'charis' (grace), all events in Acts are emphasized as occurring by God's grace. It presents the posture of believers living in both the present and the eternal, as expressed in the phrase 'feet on the earth, head in heaven.'

Cross-References

Luke 24: The account of Jesus' ascension and the promise of the Holy Spirit given to the disciples appears similarly to Acts Chapter 1.

Matthew 28:18-20: Jesus' Great Commission is connected to the statement "you will be my witnesses" in Acts Chapter 1, verse 8.

John 14-16: Jesus' teachings to His disciples about the Holy Spirit align with the promise of the Holy Spirit in Acts Chapter 1.

Psalm 69, 109: These are Old Testament passages quoted by Peter when discussing the selection of a replacement for Judas Iscariot.

Sermon / Application Points

Faith that Waits for the Holy Spirit: Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit. We must pray and wait for the Holy Spirit, empowered to become witnesses of the Gospel. Being filled with the Spirit is not merely an experiential event but the driving force for life transformation and fulfilling our mission.

Unity and Prayer of the Church: The disciples of the early Church prayed "with one accord." When we overcome division and pray together, we can discover God's will and fulfill the Church's mission.

Attitude for Fulfilling the Mission: Becoming witnesses of Jesus is our calling. This promise remains valid even after Jesus' ascension, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

God's Timing and Sovereignty: The disciples were curious about the timing of Israel's restoration, but Jesus entrusted the timing to God's sovereignty. We must trust God's timing and focus on the mission given to us.

Succession of Apostles and Church Offices: Just as Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, the Church must establish offices according to God's guidance and maintain church order. This should be done not by human standards but through prayer seeking God's will.