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Acts 1

Acts 1:1

I have given an earlier account, O Theophilus, of all the things which Jesus did, and of his teaching from the first,

Acts 1:2

Till the day when he was taken up to heaven after he had given his orders, through the Holy Spirit, to the Apostles of whom he had made selection:

Acts 1:3

And to whom he gave clear and certain signs that he was living, after his death; for he was seen by them for forty days, and gave them teaching about the kingdom of God:

Acts 1:4

And when they were all together, with him, he gave them orders not to go away from Jerusalem, but to keep there, waiting till the word of the Father was put into effect, of which, he said, I have given you knowledge:

Acts 1:5

For the baptism of John was with water, but you will have baptism with the Holy Spirit, after a little time.

Acts 1:6

So, when they were together, they said to him, Lord, will you at this time give back the kingdom to Israel?

Acts 1:7

And he said to them, It is not for you to have knowledge of the time and the order of events which the Father has kept in his control.

Acts 1:8

But you will have power, when the Holy Spirit has come on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judaea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 1:9

And when he had said these things, while they were looking, he was taken up, and went from their view into a cloud.

Acts 1:10

And while they were looking up to heaven with great attention, two men came to them, in white clothing,

Acts 1:11

And said, O men of Galilee, why are you looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come again, in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.

Acts 1:12

Then they went back to Jerusalem from the mountain named Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.

Acts 1:13

And when they came in, they went up into the room where they were living; Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James, the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas, the son of James.

Acts 1:14

And they all with one mind gave themselves up to prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Acts 1:15

And in those days Peter got up among the brothers (there were about one hundred and twenty of them), and said,

Acts 1:16

My brothers, the word of God had to be put into effect, which the Holy Spirit had said before, by the mouth of David, about Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus,

Acts 1:17

For he was numbered among us, and had his part in our work.

Acts 1:18

(Now this man, with the reward of his evil-doing, got for himself a field, and falling head first, came to a sudden and violent end there.

Acts 1:19

And this came to the knowledge of all those who were living in Jerusalem, so that the field was named in their language, Akel-dama, or, The field of blood.)

Acts 1:20

For in the book of Psalms it says, Let his house be waste, and let no man be living in it: and, Let his position be taken by another.

Acts 1:21

For this reason, of the men who have been with us all the time, while the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

Acts 1:22

Starting from the baptism of John till he went up from us, one will have to be a witness with us of his coming back from death.

Acts 1:23

And they made selection of two, Joseph, named Barsabbas, whose other name was Justus, and Matthias.

Acts 1:24

And they made prayers and said, Lord, having knowledge of the hearts of all men, make clear which of these two has been marked out by you,

Acts 1:25

To take that position as a servant and Apostle, from which Judas by his sin was shut out, so that he might go to his place.

Acts 1:26

And they put it to the decision of chance, and the decision was given for Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

Analysis of Acts Chapter 1: The Ascension and the Early Church

The first chapter of the Book of Acts serves as a crucial foundation for understanding the early Christian community after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This chapter is rich in themes of empowerment, community, and faith. It introduces pivotal events that shaped the direction of the Church, and it provides profound insights into the role of the Holy Spirit and the mission of believers.

Key Themes in Acts Chapter 1

1. The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:4-5 emphasizes Jesus' directive to His disciples to await the Holy Spirit. This promise is pivotal as it indicates a shift from physical presence to spiritual empowerment. The disciples are assured that the Holy Spirit will be sent to guide and empower them for their mission.

  • Significance: The assurance of the Holy Spirit indicates the beginning of a new era for believers, emphasizing that they will not be alone in their mission. This highlights the transition from the ministry of Jesus to the ministry of the Church, facilitated by divine assistance.

2. The Ascension of Jesus

In Acts 1:9-11, the narrative describes the ascension of Jesus into heaven. This event reaffirms Jesus’ divine authority and His promise to return, creating a sense of expectancy among the disciples.

  • Impact: The ascension not only concludes Christ’s earthly ministry but also signifies His exaltation and the establishment of His reign. It serves as a reminder that the work of the Church continues under His lordship.

The Role of the Disciples

1. The Disciples' Response

Following the ascension, the disciples return to Jerusalem, showcasing their obedience and steadfastness (Acts 1:12-14). They gather in prayer, united in their mission and anticipation of the Holy Spirit's arrival.

  • Community Building: This gathering illustrates the importance of community in the early Church. Their collective prayer serves as a model for modern believers about the power and necessity of communal faith as they await God’s direction.

2. The Selection of Matthias

Acts 1:15-26 describes the need to replace Judas Iscariot to restore the group to its original number of twelve apostles. This event highlights the importance of leadership and the continuity of the apostolic witness.

  • Decision-Making: The method of casting lots to select Matthias underscores a reliance on divine intervention in decision-making processes. This act also reflects the disciples' commitment to fulfilling Jesus' mandate and maintaining a strong leadership structure.

Conclusion

Acts Chapter 1 lays the groundwork for understanding the early Church's development and the implementation of Jesus' Great Commission. It emphasizes the significance of the Holy Spirit, the importance of community, and the continuity of leadership within the Church.

As believers today reflect on Acts Chapter 1, they are reminded of their call to be active participants in the work of the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, and rooted in community and prayer. This chapter invites readers not only to learn from the early disciples but to embody their spirit of anticipation and dedication in sharing the Gospel.

By understanding the themes and events of Acts Chapter 1, modern Christians can glean insights that remain relevant, inspiring them to engage actively in their faith journeys and the collective mission of the Church.