CALVARY PANDAN BIBLE- his death, Luke remained a loyal and

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH faithful friend (2 Timothy 4:11). He was

[Adapted from Bethel Bible-Presbyterian a Gentile Christian for in Acts 1:19; he
Church, 10 Downing St. Oakleigh, Vic., 3166]
referred to the word “Aceldama” as
“their proper tongue”, that is the Jewish
language. He was a well-educated man
DHW BIBLE CLASS who was interested in missionary work.
LESSON 1 The study of the book of Acts
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES should benefit the diligent and
conscientious student in many ways. It
CHAPTERS 1 is the only divinely inspired account of
the beginning and early expansion of
the Christian church. It is our main and
INTRODUCTION reliable source of information of the
Christians and the church in that period.
Luke recorded the period which began
The Book of Acts, which is with the ascension of Christ (around
logically placed after the four gospels, A.D. 30) to the time when Paul was
should be studied as a continuation of under house arrest (A.D. 62) – a period
the teaching, preaching and works of of about thirty-two years. Although it
the Lord Jesus Christ. In particular, it was not his intention to give a totally
should be read as a sequel to the historical account of the church, Luke
gospel according to Luke because Luke aimed at giving a proper account of the
also wrote the book of Acts.1 In fact geographical expansion of the gospel of
Luke, in his opening statement of the Jesus Christ, and its supernatural origin.
book of Acts, intimates that it is a natural The account of the charges brought up
sequel to “the former treatise”, that is by the Jews against Gentile Christians
the gospel book that bears his name at the Jerusalem Council shows Luke’s
(Acts 1:1). He wrote to one whom he purpose in eliminating any religious
called by the name of Theophilus (Luke suspicions against Judaism by the
1:3, Acts 1:1). Gentile believers. In addition, Luke’s
accounts of Paul’s trials before the
Luke is mentioned three times in Roman governors show that Christianity
the epistles of Paul. Luke was a medical was not and is not against the Roman
practitioner and a travelling companion government.
and co-worker of Paul (Colossians 4:14;
Philemon 1:24). When Paul was Acts 1:8 gives the outline of the
imprisoned the second time, awaiting book. The Apostles and the disciples
were to be witnesses of the Lord Jesus
Christ to the world; starting from
1
It is the traditional and accepted view of Jerusalem (Acts 1-7) to the surrounding
the church that Luke, the physician, a companion of regions of Judaea and Samaria (Acts 8-
the Apostle Paul (Colossians 4:14) is the writer of the 11), and ultimately to the ends of the
gospel which bears his name and the book of Acts. earth (Acts12-28). The whole chapter
For a discussion of the authorship of the two books
falls naturally into two main sections: the
read An Introduction to the New Testament-The
Gospels and the Acts (volume 1, pages 114-132; and final preparation of the disciples before
248-250) by D. Edmond Hierbert. they are sent forth (1:1-14); and the
 DHW LESSON 1 ACTS 1

choosing of the twelfth Apostle to take verily, I say unto you, He that believeth
the place of Judas Iscariot (1:15-26). on me, the works that I do shall he do
also; and greater works than these shall
he do; because I go unto my Father
COMMENTARY (John 14:12). Luke mentioned that
Jesus’ Final Instructions to His before Jesus Christ ascended to
Disciples heaven, He had appeared to His
disciples and proved to the frightened
Luke referred to a “former apostles and disciples that He was alive.
treatise” which he had written to The Lord Jesus Christ was seen by His
Theophilus. This previous paper, which disciples for a period of forty days. The
Luke wrote to Theophilus, was the bodily appearances of the Lord Jesus
Gospel-book that bears his name. Christ after His death are infallible
Theophilus is a name in Greek. It is a proofs of His resurrection. When they
compound of two words: theos which were distraught and discouraged, the
means “God” and philein which means Lord Jesus Christ appeared to them.
“to love”. Hence, the name indicates a He told them to see and touch Him and
lover of God or a friend of God. It is a that He was not a spirit (or ghost), which
proper name. Theophilus probably was has no “flesh and bones” (Luke 24:39).
a Roman official of considerable rank. He even ate fish and honey before them
In the Gospel, Luke accorded him with to prove that He Himself was real. When
great honour when he addressed him as the apostle Thomas disbelieved the
“most excellent Theophilus”, (Luke 1; 3). testimony of the others that they had
Interestingly in Acts, Luke called him seen Jesus alive, the Lord Jesus
simply “O Theophilus” – a term of appeared again to them and told
endearment and probably they had Thomas to touch Him and told him not
become close friends. If Theophilus to be unbelieving. The resurrection of
was a Roman high official, Luke’s Jesus Christ is a vital historic fact and
purpose for writing is to defend the indispensable spiritual truth. The
Christians and their faith against any disciples had seen, touched and
misunderstanding by the Roman handled Him. They did not have to
government regarding the Christian prove it. They simply declared it in their
faith. It seems that Theophilus was messages. This is the emphasis in the
persuaded and it can be correctly book of Acts.
affirmed that he was a believer of Christ.
During this period of forty days
At the very outset, Luke indicated with His apostles, the Lord Jesus taught
that the contents of Acts picture a them the things relating to the Kingdom
continuation of the work of Jesus Christ of God. Note that these apostles were
from his previous dissertation. The not ordinary people in the sense that
phrase “of all that Jesus began both to they had been chosen by God. This is
do and teach” pin-points that whatever very significant. That made them
Jesus accomplished in His brief earthly different from the other disciples. This
ministry was only the beginning, leading also means that their teaching and work
to greater things as recorded in Acts. in behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ would
Jesus declared this when He was with be clearly authorized and authenticated.
His disciples in the Upper Room: “Verily, They were chosen of God to continue

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and carry on with the work of the Lord the power and the authority to subdue
Jesus Christ. Jesus explained to them and rule the world. He had declared to
the Kingdom of God. Jesus began His them that “all power is given unto me in
earthly ministry by preaching and heaven and in earth.” One can
teaching concerning the Kingdom of understand their nationalistic
God (Mark 1:14, 15; Luke 4:43). The understanding. They expected their
Kingdom of God is essentially the rule of Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, to
God in the lives of the people of God. overthrow the Roman government and
God is their king. But the Lord Jesus set up an Israeli government to rule the
Christ was not referring to the particular world. But the Lord Jesus Christ’s
aspect of God’s providential government response indicates that God had bigger
of the present world. Indeed, God is plans. It is God’s intention to extend the
sovereign and He could put up or put gospel of salvation to all people, calling
down a Pharaoh or a Nebuchadnezzar. a people out unto Himself beside the
God is indeed in control of the affairs of Jews.
men in this world. But this Kingdom of There would be a literal kingdom
God which Jesus taught them was the of God on earth in the future. The Lord
promise of a literal kingdom on earth in Jesus Christ did not say that they were
which the greater Son of David, who is wrong about their understanding of a
none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, literal kingdom of God on earth. If it
would reign absolutely on earth with were so, the Lord Jesus would have
Jerusalem as the capital (Daniel 7:27; said that. But the Lord Jesus Christ
Isaiah 66:20; Micah 4:1-8). This literal responded by saying that it was not for
kingdom will be established at the return them to know “the times of the seasons,
of the Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory which the Father hath put in his own
and power and majesty! The Lord Jesus power” (1:7). God the Father has set an
Christ told His disciples not to depart appointed time, known only to Him.
from Jerusalem. Most of them were This is God’s prerogative. He did not
fishermen and they were from Galilee. want His people to know the hour and
They were to wait in Jerusalem for the day of the coming event. But the Lord
coming of the Holy Spirit. John, the Jesus Christ continued to say that they
baptizer, baptized them with water, a
would receive power after the Holy Spirit
baptism unto repentance. But “not many came upon them. The word “power” is
days thence” (about ten days) they translated from the Greek word
would be baptized “with the Holy Ghost “dunamis”. It has a wide range of
(Spirit)”. meaning. It means that the disciples
The disciples asked the Lord would be empowered with ability,
Jesus Christ (1:6): “Lord, wilt thou at this wisdom and strength. Their mission or
time restore again the kingdom of mandate was to be witnesses of the
Israel?” The disciples knew the Holy Lord Jesus Christ. The Greek word
Scriptures. Israel then was under the translated “witnesses” here is derived
rule of Emperor Caesar and the from the root word “martus” from which
Romans. They came to recognise and the English word “martyr” was formed.
acknowledge that the Lord Jesus Christ It strongly suggests that being witnesses
is their Messiah who would come and of the Lord Jesus Christ, the disciples
reign. They came to know that He has must be willing to endure persecution

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including martyrdom. The Gospel resurrection and ascension is real. The

Message of Salvation and the Kingdom ascension manifests that the Lord Jesus
of God must continue to be proclaimed. Christ remains the same in heaven and
The geographical areas are given; when He comes again. This was at
starting “in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, Mount Olivet. When the Lord Jesus
and in Samaria, and into the uttermost Christ returns, His feet shall stand on
parts of the earth” (1:8). This key verse the same mount (Zechariah14:4).
draws the divisions of the book of Acts, Being in One Accord in Prayer &
which has been given above. Supplication
Jesus’ Ascension & Promise of His The disciples walked back to
Return Jerusalem from Mount Olivet. The
After giving His final instructions distance was about “a sabbath day’s”
and preparing the disciples, the Lord journey. All the eleven apostles were
Jesus Christ was taken up to heaven there. They gathered together in “an
and a cloud received Him out of their upper room”, which probably was the
sight. What a glorious ascent to same room in which the Lord Jesus
heaven. It was stupendous and Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper. The
supernatural! The disciples were disciples were united. There was no
astounded as their Lord and Saviour divisive spirit among them. They were of
ascended to heaven. Two angels stood one mind and heart. They occupied
by them in white garments and said to themselves in prayer and supplication.
them: “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye Prayer is a general term that conveys
gazing up into heaven? This same the worship of God, which includes
Jesus, which is taken up from you into praising God, thanking God and
heaven, shall so come in like manner as confession of sin. Supplication means
ye have seen him go into heaven” to beg or humbly make a request to
(1:11). The angels called their attention God. The order of prayer and
to the way Jesus Christ was taken up supplication is significant. Praying,
into heaven. They said that Jesus praising, thanking and worshipping of
Christ would return to earth in the same God come before any request and
way as they saw Him go to heaven. petition. When supplicating, a person
When He returns, it would be as hopes to receive; and when praying, the
glorious as when He was taken up. person gives before receiving. It is also
The ascension of the Lord Jesus interesting to note that there were
Christ marked the end of His earthly women among the men, and they were
appearances. There is no more need to praying together with the men. In the
appear repeatedly to future disciples. four Gospels, women were seldom
This awe-inspiring event, in a simple mentioned being together with the men.
and convincing way, proves beyond any Here they were seen together. A new
shadow of doubt the resurrection of the order was ushered in. In Christ, there is
Lord Jesus Christ. There is no need for neither male nor female, for all are one
future believers to demand His bodily Choosing the Twelfth Disciple
appearance like doubting Thomas. The “And in those days, Peter stood
disciples were honest and honourable up in the midst of the disciples” strongly
men, and the account of Jesus’ suggests that Peter emerged as the

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leader of the disciples. The disciples Peter and the apostles found two
who were gathered together numbered men who met the criteria. They were
one hundred and twenty. Peter Joseph who was also known as
proposed that another disciple be Barnabas and whose surname was
chosen to fill the position left vacant by Justus; and Matthias. Then they prayed
the betrayer Judas. Peter based his to the Lord (1:24, 25): “Thou, Lord,
proposition on Psalm 69:25: “Let his which knowest the hearts of all men,
habitation be desolate, and let no man shew whether of these two thou hast
dwell therein,” and on Psalm 109:8: “His chosen, That he may take part of this
bishop-rick let another take.” Peter ministry and apostleship, from which
interpreted these psalms to apply to Judas by transgression fell, that he
Judas. He said that the Holy Spirit had might go to his own place.” After they
spoken these words through David. had prayed, they cast lots and the lot fell
David spoke these words metaphorically on Matthias, who was then numbered
to describe his experience, but Peter among the twelve. The casting of lots
applied them literally to Judas. It was was sanctioned by Scriptures in the Old
not without basis that Peter understood Testament (Leviticus 16:8; Numbers
these portions of Scriptures in this way. 26:55; Proverbs 16:33). But this practice
Just before the Lord Jesus Christ is not used after the Holy Spirit has
suffered and died, He quoted Psalm come to indwell every believer.
69:4 to prepare His disciples for what However, the choosing of another to
would happen to Him (John 15:25). So, replace Judas was done prayerfully with
Psalm 69 foreshadowed the rejection of a correct understanding of the Word of
the Lord Jesus Christ’s by the religious God and finally, they committed to God
leaders and the betrayer Judas’ suicide. to make known His choice to them.
Having quoted Scriptures to
support his proposition, Peter spelt out PRACTICAL VALUE
the qualifications of the disciple who
was to be numbered as one of the Our study of Acts will accrue
twelfth. He stipulated that he must be much spiritual benefits for us as we
one who had been with them since the travel through life in this world as
time when John the Baptiser was pilgrims bound for the heavenly abode
baptising in the river Jordan to the time where God our Father and the Lord
of Christ’s ascension. He must be a Jesus are. Luke wrote Acts in defence
witness with them of Christ’s of the Christian faith. Like Luke, a
resurrection. This shows Peter’s Gentile believer, who was convinced of
understanding of the position of the infallible proofs concerning the
apostleship. The resurrection of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we should
Lord Jesus Christ is vital to the Christian be strong and steadfast. We should not
faith. Luke records that the apostles be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus
testified with great power to the Christ for we truly serve a living Saviour
resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. If who has ascended to Heaven and
Christ were not raised from the dead, promised to return in power and
the Christian faith is nothing and Christ’s majesty. We should look expectantly
disciples are the most miserable people and desire earnestly for the second
(1 Corinthians 15:17-19). coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. And

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when He comes, we know that He blessed community we would be!

would fulfil His promise to David and AMEN
establish the Kingdom of God on earth.
How gracious and wonderful for us that
God extends the gospel of salvation in
His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to DAILY READINGS & DISCUSSION
Gentiles the world over to be a part of QUESTIONS
His great and glorious Kingdom for all
eternity!
As the Lord Jesus Christ told His Daily Readings
first disciples that they should be Monday: Acts 1:1-4; Micah 4:1-8.
witnesses of Him to others, we too are
called to be His “martyrs”. The Tuesday: Acts 1:5-8; Philippians 4:13;
geographical pattern of witnessing John 16:7-14.
Christ to others is given to us – first to Wednesday: Acts 1:9-11; Luke 19:11-
those who are our own immediate kin 27; Psalm 24:7-10.
(Jerusalem), and to our relatives
Thursday: Acts 1:12-14; Philippians
(Judaea), and then to our friends and
4:6; Proverbs 3:5,6.
neighbours (Samaria), and lastly, to
others in faraway places. Short mission Friday: Acts 1:15-26; Psalm 69:1-36.
trips are not as effective as if one were
to spend one’s life as a missionary. It is
another thing altogether to be a Discussion Questions
missionary to work and witness for 1. From Acts 1:1-11, what did the Lord
Christ in foreign lands. Jesus do in the midst of His disciples?
The method of choosing another ________________________________
to fill the apostleship vacancy is very ________________________________
instructive. It starts with reading the ________________________________
Word of God intelligently and discerning ________________________________
His will. Having ascertained that, we ________________________________
should use our common sense to ________________________________
determine the next step to fulfil God’s ________________________________
Word. And finally, we should commit ________________________________
the whole thing to the Lord in earnest
prayer. The way: God’s Word—
Common Sense—Prayer. 2. What evidence is there for the
The early Christians are an resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ?
example to us in the way they relate to Do you need to see this evidence before
each other. They were of one mind and you believe? Why?
heart. They gathered together for ________________________________
prayer and to make known their needs ________________________________
to God together. There was sharing of ________________________________
their spiritual needs. We should be ________________________________
doing the same in our church. What a ________________________________
________________________________

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________________________________ learn from their example in choosing

________________________________ leaders?
________________________________
3. What significant preparation for ________________________________
mission is given to the Apostles in Acts ________________________________
1:3? What matters were the Apostles ________________________________
further instructed and enlightened? ________________________________
________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________ 7. In this chapter:
________________________________ a. Give an Example to follow
________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________
4. What is said in Acts 1:1-11 about ________________________________
God the Father, about the Lord Jesus ________________________________
Christ, and about the Holy Spirit? ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ b. A Sin to avoid
________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
5. What is taught in Acts 1:11 about the ________________________________
fact and manner of the return of the Lord ________________________________
Jesus Christ? ________________________________
________________________________ c. A Command to obey
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
________________________________
6. Do you think that the Apostles were d. A Promise to claim
wrong in choosing another to fill the ________________________________
place of Judas? How can the church ________________________________

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________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
e. An Area of Service to the Lord
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________