Category: Bible

By

Shelby G. Floyd

Paul and Silas traveled in the northern part of Asia when they were on their second evangelistic journey. The Holy Spirit of God forbade them to preach the gospel in that area. They entered the city of Troas where Paul had a vision in the night of a man pleading for them to come over into Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10). At once they embarked to Philippi, where they established the first congregation of the church in Europe. After much persecution they were forced to depart to Thessalonica (Acts 16:11-17:1).

Thessalonica was one of the chief cities of Macedonia, being favorably located on the great Roman road called the Via Ignatia. At one time the city was called Therma because of the hot springs. Cassander remodeled and enlarged the city. Then he chose to honor his wife Thessalonica, by naming the city after her. (1) the Romans then made it the capital of the province of Macedonia and 164 B. C. And after the Battle of Philippi in 42 B. C. It became a free city. (2)

Paul immediately entered the synagogue of the Jews. This is probably the reason they passed by Amphipolis and Apollonia. A synagogue usually always represented a large Jewish population and Gentile proselytes. (3) Ten Jewish men were required to establish a synagogue. Then Paul reasoned with them from the Scriptures that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead. Then he plainly stated, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ” (Acts 17:2-3).

Luke the physician became a traveling partner with them at Troas (Acts 16:10), relates to us that some of the Jews and a great multitude of the Greeks and chief women believed! (4) some say the reason so many Gentiles were converted was the fact Paul stayed on the increase directly to them after the doors of the synagogue were closed. (5) this seems highly and likely since the unbelieving Jews rounded up all the of the towns rascals and stirred up a mob riot. After he had sold the house of Jason, the brethren immediately remove Paul and Silas to Berea, knowing it was not safe for them to stay there any longer. Just exactly how long they were in Thessalonica is a question which has been answered in many ways. But Luke sets forth the fact that they were forced to leave after three weeks preaching. This seems correct, for Paul and Silas were having met many responses at Berea until the same unbelieving Jews at Thessalonica came down insert up the people. It then seems doubtful they would have been able to stay at Thessalonica any longer than three weeks! Continue reading “PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO THESSALONICA” →

Heartland Church of Christ                                                                     

Acts of Apostles                                                                          

July 2024   

Shelby Floyd

Bible Study

Lesson 1, Acts 1:1-26                                              2024                               

1. Prologue, Acts 1:1-3

The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, ² until the day in which ^[a]He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, ³ to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many ^[b]infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God (Acts 1:1-3 NKJV).

1. Luke drafted the Book of Acts to Theophilus (1). Luke wrote a former account (the book Luke) to Theophilus about all that Jesus began both to do and teach.
2. Luke wrote an orderly account to Theophilus because he had perfect understanding of all things from the very first (Luke 1:3). Therefore, Luke is the author of Acts of Apostles.
3. The four gospel writers recorded the great commission given by Jesus from a mountain in Galilee. (Matthew 28:16)! Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:19-23,
4. The book of Acts describes how the church obeyed the great commission. Jesus established the church “in Jerusalem and all Judea” (Acts 2-8:1); Samaria (Acts 8:1-12:24; “and to the end of the earth—Rome (Acts 1:8; 13:1-28:31).
5. The starting point of Acts of Apostles was “…the day he was taken up…” (Acts 1:2).
6. We learn that there was an interval of 40 days between the resurrection and the ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:3)!

2. The Holy Spirit Promised to the Apostles, Acts 1:4-8.

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [a]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:4-8 NKJV).

1. Jesus commanded the apostles to stay at Jerusalem until they received the Promise of the Father (2, 4).
2. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commanded the apostles to stay at Jerusalem and wait for the Promise of the Father. The Promise was the Holy Spirit would baptize them with Power in a few days (Acts 2:2, 4-5).
3. Jesus only promised the Apostles the baptism of the Holy Spirit (5) “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5). Again, Jesus only promised the apostles the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Because in verse five the antecedent of the pronoun “you” refers back to the apostles in Acts 1:2. Many preachers and commentators mistakenly apply this to everyone. And that is a false interpretation of the text.
4. The word baptize-baptidzo, Greek, means to dip, plunge, immerse. Figuratively, the Holy Spirit would overwhelm the apostles. In this case the Holy Spirit overwhelmed the apostles with the power of the Holy Spirit! (Acts 1:5).
5. The apostles did not understand the nature of the kingdom of God. They thought it was National Israel (6). Jesus taught that the kingdom of God was a spiritual kingdom. The apostles thought National Israel was the kingdom of God. And some in Israel believe that now! Jesus taught that his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).
6. God had not established the kingdom at this time. If the kingdom of Christ is not of this world, then it is a spiritual kingdom. It is God’s rule in the hearts of His people. Jesus established His spiritual kingdom in Acts two on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47). The kingdom of God is the rule of the Lord in the human heart. We will say more about the church, the kingdom of God, when we study Acts chapter two.
7. The Holy Spirit would bring the apostles the power of God. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be ^[a]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).
8. In this verse the pronoun “you” refers to “the apostles” in Acts 1:2. This is the group Jesus has addressed so far in this context! The power of the Holy Spirit that would come upon them is “you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” in Acts 1:5. Jesus is speaking to the eleven apostles. Luke has not mentioned Peter at this point. All the apostles would receive the same power that Peter would receive!
9. The apostles would witness to Jesus in Jerusalem, all Judea, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). The great commission to take the gospel into all the world followed this order. The establishment of the church “in Jerusalem and all Judea” (Acts 2-8:1); Samaria (Acts 8:1-12:24; “and to the end of the earth—Rome (Acts 13:1-28:31). Jesus gave the Great Commission to the apostles while in Galilee (Read Matthew 28:16-20). The Lord’s disciples and Peter were told that Jesus was going to Galilee, and the He gave them the Great Commission (Mark 16:7, 14-18). Mark confirms Matthew!

 III. Jesus Ascends to Heaven —Acts 1:9-11.

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, ¹¹ who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11 NKJV).

1. Luke tells us that Jesus blessed his apostles with uplifted hands when he was parted from them near Bethany: “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:50-51). Jesus therefore ascended to heaven somewhere near Bethany which was about two miles from Jerusalem.
2. When the cloud separated the apostles from Jesus, two men in white clothing stood by them, while they steadfastly looked toward heaven. “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel” (Acts 1:10). Previously, Mary also saw two angels in white at the tomb where the body of Jesus had been (John 20:12). Therefore, these two men were angels that looked like men!
3. The angels told the apostles the same Jesus they saw taken up into heaven will come back in the same manner: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11).
4. Jesus left the earth visibly, audibly, and he will return in the same way! “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a ^[a]mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:50-52).
5. According to the gospel of John, Jesus discussed his ascension with Mary Magdalena before it actually happened: “Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God’” (John 20:17). 
6. Daniel the prophet (550 – 600 BC) foretold the ascension and reception of Jesus in heaven before the Ancient of Days. The Father crowned Jesus King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He gave Him an Everlasting Kingdom. And that is the kingdom that Jesus will establish on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47).

“I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
¹⁴ Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.”                                                                                                                                          (Daniel 7:13-14 NKJV).   

IV. The Upper Room Prayer Meeting —Acts 1:12-14.

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. ¹³ And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ These all continued with one ^[a]accord in prayer ^[b]and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:12-14 NKJV).

1. The apostles conduct a prayer meeting in Jerusalem (12). Again, the antecedent of the pronoun “they” (1:12) refers back to “apostles” in Acts 1:2. “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey” (Acts 1:12).
2. Mount Olivet is a summit near Jerusalem. It is a Sabbath day’s journey from Jerusalem. My research revealed that “A Sabbath Days Journey” was from .56 of a mile to seven-eighths of a mile.
3. Luke informs us that the ascension occurred near Bethany which was about two miles from Jerusalem. Afterword they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem from Olivet. “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. ⁵¹ Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. ⁵² And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³ and were continually in the temple ^[a]praising and blessing God. ^[b] (Luke 24:50-53).
4. We also take a look at Mark’s account: “So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. ²⁰ And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen” (Mark 16:19-20).
5. How many apostles were in the upper room? The eleven apostles entered an upper room in Jerusalem where they were staying. Who was absent? Judas, who had hanged himself!
6. “And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James” (Acts 1:13).
7. This list of the apostles mirrors the list in Matthew 10:2-4: “Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and ^[a]Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the ^[b]Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.”
8. Now the apostles have moved out of the room where they are staying. They are out in the temple area where they are joined with the women who followed Jesus from Galilee. “These all continued with one ^[a]accord in prayer ^[b]and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers” (Acts 1:14).
9. The family of Jesus is still in Jerusalem, having followed Jesus to the cross and stayed on until after the ascension. His brothers who were unbelievers are now believers. (Compare Luke 23:49, 55; Matthew 13:55; John 7:1-5).
10. The apostles, the family of Jesus, his mother, sisters and brothers and others engaged in prayer and they were all in “one accord” (Acts 1:14). Unity is very important, especially in the religion of Jesus Christ. Since they were all united in “one accord,” that unity continued even until the day of Pentecost. On Pentecost the Bible says, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all ^[a]with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1).

V. Peter Discusses the Vacant Ministry of Judas—Acts 1:15-20.

It appears the apostles and those close followers of Jesus are now meeting in the temple area of Jerusalem. How many disciples were present? Luke gives the answer: “And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty)” (Acts 1:15).

1. Peter had an important matter to discuss with the other apostles and those disciples present. Peter was not appointed to be the spokesperson. It was just his nature to speak up and take the lead.
2. What did the scripture say about Judas and the ministry he abandoned? Where and what did David say concerning Judas? Peter immediately mentioned the words of King David, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus” (Acts 1:16). What did David say about Judas? Peter then quotes David’s writings in Psalms 41:9,

“Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread,
Has lifted up his heel against me.”

      3. Judas betrayed Jesus, “But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48). Study Matthew 27:3-10; 26:14-15 and Mark 14:21 that describes Judas actions and the consequences!

4. Peter reminds his audience that Judas was “was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry” (Acts 1:17). Scripture recounts Judas was numbered with the 12 apostles (Matthew 10:1-4). The work of the apostles was a ministry (Acts 1:25). Judas treated his ministry with contempt!
5. “The wages of iniquity!” Now Peter informs us what the ill-gotten money of betrayal purchased and what happened to him! Peter explained in a parenthetical statement in Acts 1:18-19, “(Now this man purchased a field with the ^[a]wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his ^[b]entrails gushed out.And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)”

• Judas purchased a field “with the wages of iniquity.” This field is called Akel Dama or Field of Blood! (Matthew 27: 3-10).
• The chief priest of the 30 pieces of silver and bought the potter’s field the very strangers in. (Matthew 27:7).
• After throwing the money down Judas went and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5).
• After hanging himself he fell headlong and burst and his bowels gushed out.
• This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah when he said, “and they took the 30 pieces of silver, the value of him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” (Zechariah 11:12-13).

    6. How did David describe the burial place of Judas in the prophecy in Psalms 69:25?

 “Let their dwelling place be desolate; Let no one live in their tents.”

VI. Procedure of Filling a Vacant Apostolic Ministry—Acts 1:20-26.

1.  Peter quoted David in Psalms 109:8 about someone taking the leadership position of Judas. What did David say? “Let his days be few, And let another take his office.”
2. What were the qualifications for one to be chosen to take the place of Judas as an apostle of Jesus Christ? “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²² beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22). What was the first order of business in choosing of these two men to the ministry of apostleship? They had to meet the qualifications!

• This person must have accompanied the other apostles the whole time that Jesus went in and out among them.
• This person must have been among the apostles from the time of the baptism of John until the day that Jesus was taken up into heaven from the apostles.
• And one of these persons must have been a witness with the apostles of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 
• Paul also stated that an apostle must be a witness of the resurrection of Jesus. “Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? (1 Corinthians 9:1).

3. How many men did they choose to take the place of Judas? And what were their names? “And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.” (Acts 1: 23). (1) Joseph, called Barsabas, and (2) Justus.
4. Should we make requests in prayer to God before making major decisions? Who did they pray might choose and show them the one to replace Judas? (24). “You, O Lord”

And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” (Acts 1: 24-25).

Who is the one that can know the hearts of all men? (24). Does God know everybody’s heart?

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have ^[a]refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7).

5. Please describe the way this decision to replace Judas was fulfilled. (26).

This decision to replace Judas demonstrates that a child of God can fall away from the grace of God and be lost. And those who are lost must go to their own place and not to the place the Lord is preparing for his people.

And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen ²⁵ to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” (Acts 1:24-25).

6. Now, what method did “they” use in selecting either Joseph or Barsabas? The word says, “And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1:26 NKJV).

“They” used the lottery to decide who God had chosen to be the apostle to replace Judas! Who does “they” represent or who is the antecedent of “they” in verse 26?

The answer is in the context we have been studying in Acts 1:15-26. In Acts 1:15, Peter is speaking. Then in Acts 1:16 Peter said that Judas was the guide to those who arrested Jesus. And then in Acts 1:17 Peter said that Judas was numbered with “us” and obtained a part in the ministry of the apostles. Therefore, the antecedent of “they” in Acts 1:26 refers to Peter and the ten apostles. The conclusion is that the eleven apostles made the decision to cast lots and have the Lord show which one he had chosen to that to take the place of Judas.

7. At the conclusion of this meeting how many apostles were there?

“And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1:26). Therefore, as we prepare to study the beginning of the kingdom of God or the church in Acts two, there are twelve apostles that will be present on that great and notable day.

Copyright © 2024 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved

Shelby G. Floyd, minister, Heartland Church of Christ, 1693 West Main Street, Greenwood, Indiana 46142