Acts 1 - Jesus Goes Back to the Father AKA "The Ascension"
Today we begin our journey through the exciting book of Acts. More appropriately it should be called, "The acts of the apostles". It is the first book in the bible after the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It chronicles the exciting growth of the church right after Jesus ascended to heaven, 40 days after the resurrection, and ten days later on the day of Pentecost.
The first part of Acts shows the ministry of the apostle Peter, primarily to a Jewish audience. At the end of this first section, God reveals to him that the gospel is to be proclaimed to all people. Then, we learn of the conversion of the Apostle Paul and how through his ministry the gospel spread like wildfire through our Europe and Asia.
I have heard over many years of ministry, "We need to be like the church in the book of Acts!" The fuel for the early church was the power of the Holy Spirit. We still have this same Holy Spirit today, so we shouldn't expect any less power from God to do the things we read of in the book of Acts!
Read this excellent summary of the book of Acts written by Pastor Chuck Swindoll.
Introduction to the Book of Acts - Chuck Swindoll
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
The introduction in Acts shows us that Luke is the writer of the book of Acts. Luke also addressed his gospel to "Theophilus", which most assume was a early patron (giver) of the church. Theophilus' name means "lover of God".
Luke's gospel detailed Jesus' ministry until he ascended to the Father, forty days after his resurrection. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared many times to his disciples and gave them the promise of the Holy Spirit. He told them to wait for in a few days in Jerusalem, when they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
We know what water baptism is all about, but what does it mean to be baptized by the Holy Spirit? We will see in the next chapter and throughout the book of Acts!
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 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.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “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.”
The disciples were still wondering when Jesus was going to restore the kingdom of Israel. They were still missing the point of Jesus' ministry and mission. Jesus would not give them a date for the restoration of Israel (by not denying it, this shows that at some point God will restore the kingdom of Israel).
But what he could tell them was they were going to receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Through the Spirit's power, they would witness to the power of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. This mission would start in Jerusalem, where Jesus was crucified and where the temple was built. It was the home of Judaism and the capital of the Southern Kingdom.
This gospel would expand to Judea, where the two tribes of the Southern Kingdom were. (Judah and Benjamin). Next, the gospel would spread to the Northern Kingdom, which was comprised of the rest of the twelve tribes of Israel. I.e. 10 tribes. This was known as the Northern Kingdom, whose capital was Samaria. Finally, this gospel would be preached to the ends of the world.
When Jesus ascended into heaven, the men seemed somewhat baffled, as they were staring mindlessly into the sky. Then two angels tell them that Jesus will return in a similar way in which he ascended. We don't know WHEN Jesus will return, but this verse gives us an idea of HOW he is going to come back.
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
There was an item of business the apostles needed to attend to. Who would replace Judas, the betrayer? The fact that they needed to replace him shows that there was something to the number "12". The disciples were on the Mount of Olives when they came back to Jerusalem.
This was notable obedience. Jesus told them to return to Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4), and that is exactly what they did. They didn’t forget the sermon right after they heard it, and they actually did what Jesus told them to do, even though He was no longer physically present with them.
It was probably a little daunting to return to the area where Jesus was crucified. But as they went, it says they were "constantly praying". Good things happen when we constantly pray together. Not only did the 11 apostles go back to Jerusalem, but there were others too.
Acts 1:15 tells us that there were about 120 present. This included the eleven disciples (the twelve minus Judas); along with Mary, the mother of Jesus, the brothers of Jesus (such as James and Jude), the women who followed Jesus, and others.
The brothers of Jesus never seemed to be supportive of His ministry before His death and resurrection (John 7:5, Mark 3:21). After encountering the resurrected Jesus, they were changed into true followers of Jesus.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[d] the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.” 18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’[e] and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’[f]
Jesus knew Judas would be the one to betray him, and the Old Testament also prophesied about him being replaced by another apostle. Right away we see Peter took leadership with the apostles in making this decision. It also shows he was able to connect the Old Testament, in this case the psalms, to what had happened with Judas.
21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” 23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Note that they added someone who had been with them in their three years of public ministry with Jesus. This is the narrower view of an apostle. I.e. Someone who walked with Jesus during his three year public ministry. Paul lists being an "apostle" as one of the five fold gifts of ministry in Ephesus 4:11, so there are many people who continue the ministry of the apostles 2,000 years ago. Missionaries are a good example.
They picked two men of reputable character, Matthew and Justus. Then they cast lots to see whom God had chosen. By casting lots they gave the decision to God to choose Judas' successor.
The casting of lots may be an imperfect way to discern God’s will, but it is much better than the methods many Christians use today – that is, to rely on emotions, to rely on circumstances, or feelings, or carnal desires, and so forth. - Guzik
Most of the big decisions in churches today are voted by the elders of a church, and in some cases the whole congregation. There is no perfect model of church governance. Some church bodies are more "top down" where there is a chain of authority. I.e. a head bishop, bishop ... Other churches are congregational. I.e. the membership of the local church makes all major decision.
Although human beings are fallible, if leaders chosen have a good reputation and character , love Jesus, and are full of the Holy Spirit, God will give them wisdom and discernment and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
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