Friday Night Church - Acts 1:1-4
FNC 1/14/11 study
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
acts 1:1-4
THE BACKGROUND
a. Author = Luke (no one normal disputes this)
b. Simple break down =
2 sections (1-12 = Peter) and (13-28 = Paul)
c. Complex Break down =
part 1 = Peter and John in Jerusalem around the Jews
part 2 = Phillip and Stephen in Jerusalem/Samaria/Judea around Jews, Samaritans, and an Ethiopian
c. Complex Break down (con’t) =
part 3 = Peter and Paul in Damascus, Judea, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Asia around Jews, curious Gentiles, and pagans
part 4 = Traveling Paul in Europe/Asia Minor around Gentiles and Jews
c. Complex Break down (con’t) -
part 5 - Prisoner Paul in Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Rome around Gentile rulers, Gentiles, and Jews
d. fun facts about Acts -
1. Historically accurate - A. N. Sherwin-White, Professor of ancient history at Oxford University, strongly affirmed the accuracy of Luke’s background knowledge in the 1960s. “The historical frame work is exact.
In terms of time and place the details are precise and correct. One walks the streets and marketplaces, the theatres and assemblies of first-century Ephesus or Thessalonica, Corinth or Philippi, with the author of Acts. The great men of the cities, the magistrates, the mob and the mob leader are all there…
It is similar with the narrative of Paul’s judicial experiences before the tribunals of Gallio, Felix and Festus. As documents these narratives belong to the same historical series as the record of provincial and imperial trials in epigraphical and literary sources of the first and early second centuries AD….
For Acts the confirmation of historicity is overwhelming…. Any attempt to reject its basic historicity even in matters of detail must now appear absurd. Roman historians have long taken it for granted.”
2. It’s a sequel to Luke and a prequel to the Epistles - neither would be really complete in terms of flow with out it.
3. The book of Acts completely fulfills Jesus’ reference to His death in
John 12:24 - “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
4. Acts might have been a legal document of sorts that Paul could’ve used when he was on trial. Luke wanted to show Rome that Christianity was:
a. harmless (some Romans officials had embraced it themselves)
b. innocent (Roman judges could find no basis for prosecution)
c. lawful (as the true fulfillment of Judaism, an approved religion in the Roman Empire). (Guzik)
5. It marks the ending point to the incarnation (the ascension) and the beginning point of the work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)
THE TEXT
v1a - Theophilus = dear to God, friend of God; called “most excellent” in Luke 1:3, so he could’ve been royalty of some sort
a. Luke took considerable amounts of time to present a clear picture of the gospel to this man. Sharing and living the gospel is the best thing the church can do for humanity - how can u do this personally?
b. Jesus is more concerned with the “contents” than the “label” - having a name like “friend of God” might look nice on paper, but being a friend of God is far more important and valuable.
v1b -
Jesus did -> orthopraxy (right living/practice)
Jesus taught -> orthodoxy (right doctrine/teaching)
v2a - taken up = ascension
a. alluded to in:
1. John 6:62 - What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?
2. see also - Acts 2:33-34; 3:21; Eph. 4:8-10
b. important because:
1. John 14:2 - He goes to prepare a place for the “church” in heaven
2. Heb. 10:11-14 - It shows the finality of Christ’s offering - He sat down.
3. Rom. 8:34 - It gives Him a specific place of intercession for us -
“Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us”.
4. 1 Cor. 15:24-26 - It gives Him a future place of departure -
“Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.”
v2b - what “commandments”?
1. Matt. 28:18-20 - (be a missional disciple maker)
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all things that I have commanded you. And lo I am with you always even to the end of this age.”
2. Luke 24:49 - (be empowered)
Behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you, but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
3. Mark 16:15 (be evangelical/equipped) - Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
4. John 21:15 (be in love with Jesus) - “Feed My lambs”
John 21:16 - “Tend My sheep”
John 21:17 - “Feed My sheep”
John 21:19 - “Follow Me”
v3a - what “infallible proofs”?
1. His appearances to Mary, the apostles and Thomas, Peter at Galilee, James, and in 1 Cor. 15:6 - Jesus was seen by over five hundred brethren at one time.
“After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”
v3b - what things about the “kingdom”? See v2b
v4 - It’s cool how Jesus loved to be with the 12 - here He was “assembled” (synalizo = to meet with) with them.
v4 - Jesus’ command (referenced from John 14:16) was emphatic - they were not to set out and do anything until they received the Holy Spirit. But hadn’t they already in John 20:22? Yes and no.
Yes - they were “sealed and saved” = good;
and
No - they were not yet “empowered” = better.
Next week, we take and in depth look at the Holy Spirit. For now, just realize that Jesus wanted them to be as close to Him as possible before they sought out to do anything great or small for Him.
REVIEW
1. Jesus “did and taught”. A real relationship with Jesus produces real thought, real words, and real action.
2. Jesus’ commandments prior to His ascension were all relationship based - with Him, with other people.
3. Jesus continues to do and
teach to this day - be involved with Him and His kingdom!
APPLICATION
So, as you consider the words, actions, and commands of Jesus just prior to His ascension -
1. What areas encourage you?
2. What areas could you improve?
3. What is the Holy Spirit stirring in you?
