1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
The Doctrine of the Resurrection of Christ: These ‘commandments’ most likely were specifically those that He gave those 11 apostles just prior to His ascencion. They were suppose to make sure that church carried out the standing orders…and every church after her. Those “40 days” were those days after His resurrection and prior to His final ascension.
“There are at least 13 different appearances recorded over a period of 40 days. Had He appeared only once, it could have been put down as a delusion or mirage of some sort. He appeared to many people at once. Had only one or two people testified of seeing Him, it could have been put down to hysteria or collusion. But He often appeared to 11 or more at once; and on one occasion He appeared to 500 at once (1 Cor. 15:6). He appeared to different people in different places and situations. Had the resurrection appearances occurred in only one place or only at twilight or something like that, it could have been said that it was some sort of illusion or trick associated with that particular place or time. Yet Christ’s resurrection appearances were in many different times and places. He appeared in the morning, in the daytime, in the evening, in rooms, on highways, and by lakes.” (David Cloud)
There is no doubt according to the historical record that Jesus Christ indeed had physically died and then rose again after 3 days and then was no longer found on the Earth after those 40 days.
It doesn’t state that He was around His disciples daily for those 40 days, though. What did He do during those 40 days when He wasn’t with His disciples? His disciples ate with Him, talked with Him, even had opportunity to put their hand in His wounded side. One of His main goals with being with them after His resurrection was to speak of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
“He was ‘seen of them,’ not of others. There is no more appeal to the people, no more teaching, no more standing in the Temple. Why is this? Is it not the commentary on His own word on the Cross, ‘It is finished!’ marking most distinctly that His work on earth was ended when He died, and so confirming that conception of His earthly mission which sees its culmination and centre of power in the Cross?” (Alexander Maclaren)
Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances dramatically changed those who saw Him. “If the Christian religion be not true, the change wrought by the twelve apostles is the most inexplicable, mysterious, and wonderful event that has ever been witnessed in this world. Their success to the end of time will stand as an argument of the truth of the scheme, that shall confound the infidel, and sustain the Christian with the assured belief that this is a religion which has proceeded from the almighty and infinitely benevolent God.” (Barnes Commentary)
The Doctrine of the Kingdom of God: He wanted to get the church folk ready for the kingdom; that was very much on His mind. The Kingdom of God was His main focus in the last days prior to His death and then again after His resurrection. We would do well to know a lot about the Kingdom. What is the Kingdom of God? It surely encompasses all that is God’s right now; it is a spiritual kingdom, for Christ is not currently physically reigning on Earth yet. The Bible states that the kingdom of God is within you.
“‘The kingdom of God’ includes not only His purpose in the church but reaches beyond to the re-establishment of the house of David (see Acts 15:14-17).” (J. Vernon McGee)
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
The Doctrine of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost: That first church which was begun by Jesus Christ was instructed not to “Go” quite yet, as commanded. They were to wait for something. They were missing something. They were to wait for ‘power’! They needed ‘corporate’ power from God almighty to do the task at hand; that is, to evangelize, baptize, and educatize the entire planet! The baptism ‘with’ the Holy Ghost was the immersing of that church body in Jerusalem in the power of the Holy Ghost.
This speaks of a one-time ‘baptism with the Holy Ghost’; it would be involving that first church body being baptized in,
immersed in, the Holy Ghost…the medium (like water); it was to empower that church body as a whole (corporately)(ye).
Here are some key truths learned in the New Testament about the baptism with the Holy Ghost: It was to take place, did (in Acts 2), and was looked back on (Acts 11), and then never specifically mentioned again. All the references for this baptism are in the “plural” tense, thus meaning a “collective” baptizing, i.e. the Church body. The 11 apostles had already personally received the Holy Ghost (and potentially all or almost all of the other disciples when Jesus breathed on them), but had not yet had the “baptism” with the Holy Ghost. We are not “baptized” into the family of God but “born” into it! So, salvation is not when the baptism occurs(ed). The baptism with the Holy Ghost gave that Church (and all future Churches) power to witness and to specifically fulfill the command of the Lord Jesus Christ that He gave His Church (Mt 28, Mk 16, Lk 24, Jn 20, Acts 1). This “empowering” by the Holy Spirit only had to occur once, because all future “true” Churches would have this “power” passed on to them via the proper “commissioning” (birthing) of a new church. Churches without this commissioning, do not have the empowerment by the Holy Ghost. Though, many of these Churches are the ones accusing “us” of not being a “Spirit filled Church”. We are the true Pentecostals! We are the churches with the Holy Spirit’s special annointing! We are the churches that have the supernatural power to witness to this lost world (and we are more and more the only churches that are doing so with the true gospel!)! The baptism with the Holy Ghost is not a repeatable event ( thus, not to be sought after), and it did not occur at salvation of anyone. It occurred once, and was for the Church, not the individual.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The Doctrine of the Kingdom of God: The disciples wanted a visible kingdom on Earth right then and there. Well, that was not going to occur until the 2nd Coming of Christ (over 1900 years later…and counting). Jesus had a lot of work left to do to get them focused on His kingdom (the spiritual, unseen one). It is not for “you”: just those disciples… or we today also? The NT states that the children of light will be able to discern the nearness of His coming kingdom.
‘But’ – referring to power and a kingdom – He told those ‘kingdom-desiring’ disciples that they are going to have some impressive things happen: you want power, you (ye) will get power directly from God; you want a kingdom, you will have one to work in as witnesses, spiritually.
The Doctrine of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost: “Pentecost was not an answer to prayer; it was a fulfillment of
prophecy (Jn. 14:16, 26; 16:7-17)” (D. Cloud).
It says ‘come upon’, not go inside or receive. Many, if not all, had received the Holy Spirit earlier when Jesus Christ ‘breathed on them’. What will this ‘power’ be given for (what’s the purpose)? Witnessing, as a church body; ‘kingdom building’; a church that is not a true ‘Pentecostal’ Baptist church will not have this ‘power’ and will be basically anemic in its evangelism zeal and fruit. True churches will be empowered by the Holy Ghost (He who will guide you into all truth) to be able to stay true to doctrine and stay true to the main mission of a church (the Great Commission)… the others will not; and that is exactly what we see in today’s Christendom!
The Doctrine of Evangelism: Acts 1:8 is an outline of the book of Acts. They preached the gospel first at Jerusalem, Samaria, and Judea (Acts 1-12), then to the ends of the world (Acts 13-28) (D. Cloud). The work of the kingdom for us to do is being witnesses in our own town, and spreading outward. But, the grand design was for Christians to begin with the Jews and then spread out to the Gentiles. We are the uttermost parts. What kind of ‘Missions strategy’ is shown here for us today? Start in hometown; proceed (simultaneously…’both’) to State/region, to Country/part of the world, and to everywhere else. I believe that there should be 4 evangelism levels going on simultaneously for a church: local, state, national, other countries. One church was suppose to do this; it is to send out Missionaries (church members) to get this done; it doesn’t say ‘support Missionaries from other churches’; the Mission is to be witnesses of the gospel, not help them socially or medically.
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The Doctrine of the Ascension: ‘Was taken’ – Angels took Him up most likely. The cloud was not a standard cloud as we know it, I believe. This was done for the drama; to make the final impression on them that this was all from God. It wasn’t a magic act. God used and will use clouds quite often in relation to manifesting His glory (Ex. 13:21; 16:10;19:9; 24:16; 40:34-35; Isa. 19:1; Ezek. 1:4; 10:4; Mat. 17:5; Lk. 21:27).
I think it was reasonable and normal for them to stand there in amazement looking up to possibly see their Master after He disappeared in the clouds. God didn’t want to waste any time with ‘gazing’; God knew that these men would lose some intensity in reaching their goals if they stood a long time and wondered at His ascension. The angels reassured them that He was coming back, so get going on what He had said to you to be doing in the meantime. This gives us some facts about His return (I assume His 2nd Coming): visible; appears out of the clouds; bodily; people will see it.
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother 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 brethren.
The Doctrine of the Apostle: Name as many of the 11 disciples listed here as you can. Maybe this was the same room they met in for the first Lord’s Supper? The 11 may have lived in this building/room. You’ve got the 11 apostles here, with some women, Mary, and Jesus’ brothers…at least. All part of the 120 church members. Were these not present with Jesus at His ascension? Doubtful. Jesus surely would be addressing the 11 leaders of the church at this momentous occasion. It may be simply stating the fact that this was where these men lived…abode.
The Doctrine of Prayer: Why were they continuing there in that ‘upper room’? They were told to tarry in Jerusalem; so they tarried, and wisely were praying to the Lord for help now that their Master was gone. They were unified, in accord, in this effort. A tight knit group. Was the whole church assembled there, or was this the tighter, inner core of it? (vs 15 may answer that). Jesus’ brothers finally were saved and disciples by this time. Women were at the prayer meeting; as was the whole church.
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. 21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
The Doctrine of the Apostle and the Pastor: What was Peter’s role now that Jesus Christ was in Heaven? First Pope?!….Definitely not. Peter continues to take the leadership role amongst all the disciples; he is the Senior Pastor. He was the one whom Jesus Christ commanded to ‘feed my sheep’. Immediately, the senior Pastor, Peter, wanted to bring to vote a replacement for fallen pastor/apostle Judas. This may teach the importance of speedily replacing the pastorate when a position becomes vacant. He addresses the whole church body (or maybe just the men). It is important to involve the whole church in choosing leadership.
Judas’ deception and demise was prophesied hundreds of years prior in the Psalms. It appears that Judas went to Hell (his own place). His family was accursed thereafter.
The pastorate can be referred to as ‘the bishoprick’ also. The pastor(s) in a church decide on the need and the qualifications regarding the filling of that need and then bring it before the church for the actual choosing (voting) of who it is to meet that need; here, an open pastor/apostle position. The Senior Pastor here did not bring forth ‘his choice’ for replacing Judas; but he did give out specific pre-requisites for whom they would choose. Key qualifications for an apostle was to have been part of the ‘church’ of Jesus’ since John the Baptist’s ministering all the way thru till Jesus ascended to Heaven. He must have witnessed the resurrection. It probably is wise to narrow the field down to just two and then really concentrate on who it is that God has chosen to be a pastor. When ordaining a pastor, make sure that you pray and beg God to show you who He has chosen. Too many times I think a pastor will choose his own ‘associate’ and ‘push’ it through for church vote without getting the church involved and really praying for God to show them.
Lots were still used because the Holy Spirit had not yet been given to them ‘corporately’, to guide them in these hard decisions. Also, they did not have the completed word of God. No ancient ‘Baptist’ churches were ever said to use lots.
It doesn’t talk about some ‘ordination council’ being brought in to interrogate the ‘candidate’….