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The Acts of the Disciples #1: Preparing to Go INTRODUCTION Read: Acts 1:1-28:31 NKJV |
Acts is the history and DNA of the Church. Acts is the activity of our family tree. We need to understand as much about Acts as we can to give us some idea of the chapters we are to add to the book.
The title: “Acts of the Apostles” was added later to the work. Some call it: “Acts of the Church”, but a more meaningful title could be: “Acts of the Disciples”. Essentially, Acts is a book of disciples – followers and imitators of Christ – making disciples.
We will examine the chapter for three points: beginning at the end, moving toward the middle, stopping with the beginning.
I. SETTING THEMSELVES IN ORDER
After the Ascension of Christ and on the way to the Spirit Baptism of Pentecost, the first disciples gathered together and set things in order.
#1 – Restored leadership takes its place.
(15) And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,
#2 – Fallen leadership is replaced.
(16) "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; (17) for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry." (18) (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. (19) 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.) (20) "For it is written in the Book of Psalms: 'LET HIS DWELLING PLACE BE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE LIVE IN IT'; and, 'LET ANOTHER TAKE HIS OFFICE.' (21) "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."
#3 – Order is established through godly counsel and prayer.
(23) And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. (24) 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." (26) And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
II. COMING INTO AGREEMENT
After the Ascension of Christ and on the way to the Spirit Baptism of Pentecost, the first church submitted to the direction they had been given by the Lord.
#1 – Agreement comes through traveling in the same direction.
(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." (12) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey.
#2 – Agreement comes through seeking the Lord together.
There must be a “staying” where we abide together to build community.
We must continue in “one accord”, i.e. one mind and heart, passion and union.
(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 accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
III. RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
After the Ascension of Christ and on the way to the Spirit Baptism of Pentecost, disciples of Christ should be focused on the provision they need for the next steps.
#1 – Even before the Ascension of Christ, He is directing them in the their next steps, as He will do for us.
(4) 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."
#2 – When God will do things is up to God; what we do in the meantime is the question.
Restoring the Kingdom of God directly relates to ending human governments and establishing the direct rule of Christ over mankind. For us today, the question would be asked: “When is Jesus returning?” The answer for us is the same for them: NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. We have been commissioned not to figure out when everything will come to an end, but to gathering in the harvest as quickly as we can before the end comes.
(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.
#3 – To effectively carry the reality of the Crucifixion and Resurrection to the world, we must receive the fruit of Christ’s Ascension: The Baptism with the Holy Spirit.
The work of the Holy Spirit through us will be the evidence of the living Christ to the world.
(8) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (9) Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
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