Bible 101 - Acts 1-4

Presented June 19, 2006 by Phyllis Gilbert

Acts 1: The best way to understand and enjoy this book is to read it. It's an adventure story of the highest caliber. And it begins with a salutation to Theophilus whose name we recognize from Luke 1. In the first 11 verses, Luke summarizes the final days of Jesus life on earth; following his resurrection, he taught his disciples, preparing them for their work ahead, work that he promised they'd do after they were "baptized with the Holy Spirit." We know the Holy Spirit was active in Jesus' ministry, and in the prophets' messages and writings. We know that individuals in OT history were selected for special anointing: Moses, of course; Samuel, David and others. We read that "the Spirit came upon them," and in Samson's case, he was given extraordinary strength. But these empowerings were generally for a specific task or period. Now, the Holy Spirit will "baptize" Jesus' followers; Jesus has been glorified (after his resurrection) and returned to Heaven; the Holy Spirit was sent as Jesus' presence in the world. Jesus tells them to wait in Jerusalem until this occurs (v. 5, 8).

Acts 1:10: Jesus ascends to heaven after giving his disciples their commission to spread the Gospel, and we see the two men dressed in white again. Remember they were at the tomb when the women visited early in the morning? (Luke 24:4). And now we hear them say "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Their message is similar to what the women heard: "why do you look for the living among the dead?" In other words, both after the resurrection and ascension, the angels are sent to confirm what the disciples have seen and to send them on their way, ready to do what Jesus has asked them to do.

Acts 1:12: The disciples (about 120 in all including women) returned to Jerusalem and stayed together; they're waiting for Jesus promise to be fulfilled, "You'll be baptized with the Holy Spirit." In the meantime, they pray and determine that a replacement for Judas should be named. Peter is the one who speaks to the group; he's emerging as the leader, and his role will be even clearer in the days ahead. Peter reminds them that Judas' betrayal had been prophesied, that he's dead, and it's time to replace him. They set out criteria: the man chosen to number among the 12 must have been with Jesus from the time John baptized Jesus until his resurrection and ascension. He must have been an eye-witness to Jesus' ministry from Galilee to the Mt. of Olives. Two men are proposed: Barsabbas and Matthias. They pray, cast lots, an Matthias is chosen. Incidentally, this is the last mention of casting lots in the Bible; the Holy Spirit, soon to fill them, will speak to them and direct them; there will be no need for drawing straws or throwing dice. Curiously, this is the first and last mention of Matthias in scripture. He met the criteria for selection, but perhaps his work on Jesus' behalf was overshadowed by the more dramatic preaching and healing ministry of Peter, John and Paul.

Review: Jesus' arrest and trials had scattered the disciples; the cross had shown them his love, his resurrection God's power, and in the 40 days following his resurrection and before his return to heaven, he teaches them what his death and resurrection meant. He started with Moses and the prophets, and taking them through all the scriptures and prophecies, he helps them see that he fulfills God's plan to redeem the world from sin. He tells them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the gift the Father promised. In Acts 1, then, we see them meeting and praying together, selecting a new apostle to replace Judas, and we also sense that Peter is going to be their leader.

Acts 2: The day of Pentecost, 50 days after Passover (and in our calendar, 50 days after Easter), thousands of pilgrims from all over the world are in Jerusalem. The disciples are together "in one place," when a wind with the sound of a freight train comes upon them. It's a storm that will change their world, turning it upside down. Now the paraclete, the comforter, the one who will lead them into all truth, is given. The sign of the Holy Spirit's arrival was both audio (the sound of a violent wind), and visual (they saw little flames on each of them). Then a further sign: they began to witness to what Jesus had done, and everyone who heard them, Jews from Asia Minor, from Northern Africa, from Rome and Greece, all heard the Gospel in their own languages. Note that we don't know if Peter, James, John and the rest spoke in other languages, but people heard the message in their own language. Think of the UN: a speaker makes a speech in Russian, but all the delegates hear it in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Tagalog, and Hebrew with the help of simultaneous translation. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit provides the simultaneous translations. The crowds are astonished. "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? How then is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?" God is reversing the tower of Babel; he's allowing the Gospel to be preached to all, and for all to hear it and understand it. They were curious about how this happened, and then some said "these men are drunk," accusing the apostles of speaking nonsense. The apostles were, no doubt, absolutely giddy, dancing and singing with joy. No wonder some in the crowd thought they were intoxicated. They were intoxicated, but on the Holy Spirit. Later Paul tells the Ephesians: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Eph. 5:18). Peter tells those who are questioning the cause of this phenomenon that "it's only 9 o'clock in the morning," much too early for drunkenness. And then he explains.

Acts 2:16: Peter quotes the prophet Joel: "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my spirit in those days." Peter implies that what's happening is the fulfillment of God's promise as spoken by Joel. Then Peter continues by speaking of Jesus who demonstrated God's power by miracles, wonders and signs, calling on the crowds to remember the lame who walked, the lepers who were cleansed, the dead who were given life at Jesus' command. These miracles, Peter says, were Jesus' credentials: He was the Son of God, the Messiah. Jesus was put to death by the Jewish leaders, "wicked men," Peter calls them, in fulfillment of God's plan. But Jesus did not remain in a tomb: he rose again because "it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." Peter patiently explains that Jesus as God's son is alive, and that, returning to heaven, he'd sent the Holy Spirit to his apostles. It had been "poured out," Peter said. In John 20:22, we're told Jesus "breathed on them saying receive the Holy Spirit," as he taught them the scriptures and how each OT passage applied to him. That was the beginning; but this "pouring out" of the Spirit is a baptism in the Spirit, a deluge of power. The Holy Spirit has two jobs on earth: (1) to convict us of sin and (2) to empower us to spread the Gospel. Gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to enable this spread of the Gospel and to do the work of the church. How effective is the Holy Spirit on that day of Pentecost? At Peter's invitation "repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins," 3000 people responded. There had been 12 original apostles; in Acts 1, we're told there were 120 believers meeting together awaiting the gift Jesus promised would come. Now, there are 3,000. The church is growing beyond the wildest dreams of Jesus' original 12 disciples.

The Church: Thus, in 32 A.D., following Jesus' resurrection and ascension, the Day of Pentecost became the birthday of the church. Prior to Jesus' death and resurrection, this feast, one of the three pilgrimage feasts, had celebrated the early harvest and the giving of the law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Now, with Jesus instituting a New Covenant by his redemptive acts on the cross and in his resurrection, Pentecost takes on a new meaning. Just as Passover, the Jews' oldest feast which commemorates their miraculous deliverance from slavery becomes our Holy Eucharist, a commemoration of Jesus' sacrifice as we symbolically accept his body and blood shed for us, so, too, Pentecost takes on new meaning.

Acts 2:42: The believers, in their new-found salvation, are eager to meet together and to study together. The last few verses of this chapter summarize their life in the aftermath of Pentecost. They engaged in four activities: study of scripture, prayer, fellowship and Holy Eucharist. The believers lived together for this time. Their enthusiasm glued them together; they couldn't leave. Their witness to others resulted in the Lord's adding to their number daily.

Acts 3: At the end of Acts 2, we're told that "many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles." Just as Jesus performed miraculous healings, multiplied lunches, raised the dead and gave the blind back their sight as proof of his being the Messiah, so the apostles were given gifts as signs of their having been filled with the Holy Spirit. In ch. 3 we see these "signs" at work. First, Peter and John, on their way to pray at the Temple, encounter a crippled man who asks them for money. They tell him they have no money to give him, but they have something better: "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk," and they take the man, who's been a cripple since he was born, by the hand, pull him to his feet, and he walks. So delighted is the man with the gift, he goes into the Temple with the apostles, jumping for joy. Everyone recognized the man, now walking, but who just minutes before had been begging at the gate, and "they were filled with wonder and amazement."

Acts 3:12: Peter notes the crowd's reaction, and so he preaches. Here's Peter, the man who'd been so tongue-tied with fear that he'd denied knowing Jesus, preaching at every opportunity he's given. And he's preaching with boldness and eloquence. He presents to them the work of Christ on the cross, a work which redeemed them from the prison of sin if they will believe it. He calls on them once again : "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. . . " (v. 19) Peter clearly identifies Jesus as the Messiah and the one the people and their leaders had put to death. He doesn't mince words. He's speaking to Jews, and like Matthew in his gospel, he connects all the OT teachings and prophecies to Jesus. In the next chapter, we're told that Peter's sermon was effective: "Many who heard the message believed and the number of men grew to about 5,000" (4:4). Chapter 1, there are 120; chapter 2, 3000, now at the beginning of chapter 4, 5,000. Jesus' great commission to take the gospel to all the world beginning at Jerusalem is being carried out, and the fruit which the Pharisees and Sadducees were lacking, is being produced by the Spirit-filled apostles.

Acts 4: But just as Jesus caused people to take sides, so does this new development. Not everyone responds with faith, and the chief priests, the temple guards and the Sadducees confront Peter and John in the Temple courts and express alarm at what they're doing. This is the same bunch that plotted to arrest and kill Jesus; now, Jesus' followers are growing by the hundreds. What to do? They meet with the Sanhedrin the next day and call in Peter and John for questioning. As they'd asked Jesus, they want to know "by what authority are you doing this?" The apostles tell them they are speaking and acting in Jesus' name. Notice that Peter begins to speak after we're told he's "filled with the Holy Spirit." Jesus had told them not to fear when arrested or brought before councils; they'd be given the words to speak when they needed them (Lk. 21:14-15). And so they are. Peter is a bit confused: "we're being called to account for an act of kindness in healing a cripple, are we?" he asks. He's not defensive, but uses the occasion to explain that the man they crucified, "Jesus of Nazareth," has been raised from the dead and it is in his power that they have healed the crippled man. Remember that when we speak or pray "in Jesus' name," we're speaking of all that makes Jesus who he is: his love, his divinity, his power. Peter boldly tells them that they've rejected the cornerstone - Jesus Christ, the stone on which the believers have built their foundation of faith. The Sanhedrin is baffled: Peter and John aren't educated men, but here they are, speaking with skill and confidence. And so sending Peter and John outside, they discuss the matter. Fearful that "this thing" will get out of hand, they decide to forbid them to speak "in this name" again. And so they command that the apostles no longer speak or teach in this name. Notice that they won't say it. But Peter and John reply: "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." And so the Sanhedrin threatens them, repeating their caution, and lets them go. But they're left with their fear that this movement will get out of hand; the people are flocking to the apostles and the number of believers is growing.

Acts 4:23: Peter and John hurry back to where the believers are gathered. Remember the old tent revivals? That's what I picture: the crowd is milling around a big temporary structure, a place to meet and pray. The two apostles, recently interrogated by the Sanhedrin, let everyone know what they've experienced. And so the believers pray. What a response! Instead of hang-wringing and shouting, moaning and feeling sorry for themselves, they pray. What is the source of their faith? God; what is the source of their power to continue in that faith? The Holy Spirit. Notice in their prayer they quote Psalm 2; in it, the Psalmist contrasts the feeble efforts of human rulers with God's power. The disciples seem to be saying that the Sanhedrin is merely human; they have God as their judge and their teacher, their source and their guide. They ask God to empower and embolden them to continue to speak in Jesus' name, to do the work Christ commissioned them to do, and to show by "signs and wonders" that God was at work among them. And the Holy Spirit's wind again shook their meeting place, filling them with the boldness they'd requested. They know the source of their ability to speak and to spread the Gospel is not human, but it is divine. Importantly, the Holy Spirit's power is available to us today.

Acts 4:32: We're told at the conclusion of this chapter that the believers were unified around the faith they now preached. They were "of one heart and mind." No one went hungry; no one was allowed to feel he/she wasn't contributing to the spread of the Gospel. They pooled their resources; in fact, Joseph of Cypress, also known as Barnabas or the "son of encouragement" sold property and donated the proceeds to the church. We'll hear much more about Barnabas as the book progresses.

Next week: The power of the Holy Spirit continues to be poured out, and the church continues to grow. But there's persecution ahead.

Homework for those who want to go deeper:

Let's close in prayer.