Bible Study: Intro to Acts- Ascension, Pentecost & the Early Church

Pentecost

Welcome back, my fellow Bible nerds! We’re starting a new 11-week Bible study series on the Book of Acts (Acts of the Apostles). Join me as we dive into this rich and decisive book!

The Book of Acts is written by Luke, who also wrote the Gospel of Luke. Both books are addressed to Theophilus. We don’t know much about him, but he likely had resources to sponsor such a work. Theophilus is Greek for “friend of God” or “lover of God.” Some scholars think he was a Roman official, possibly connected to Paul’s trial; others think he was a new convert desiring a careful, Septuagint-style account.

Let's take a look at the opening verses of both Luke and Acts

Luke 1:1-4 ESV Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Acts 1:1-2 ESV In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

If the Gospel of Luke gave the facts about the ministry of Jesus, then Acts shows when that gospel was preached, the Holy Spirit made the word effective, and brought the hearers, both Jew and Gentile, into the experience of salvation.

Who is Luke?

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul, so he wasn't just investigating events but was an eyewitness to many of them, especially in the later chapters of Acts. Notice when the narrative shifts from "they" to "we" (though he never names himself). Paul also calls him a physician in Colossians 4, a co-worker in Philemon, and his loyal companion in 2 Timothy, where Paul gives a list of those who have left, and it says that Luke alone is with him.

Luke has passed the test of a historian several times, not only in his writing style but also in archaeology. In the mid to late 1800s, skepticism had increased due to the “supposed” lack of archaeology. In fact, a well-known archaeologist, Sir William Ramsay, set out to prove that the accounts in Acts were wrong. Not only was he not able to disprove the account, but he came out of years of investigation with a complete reversal and trust in Luke's account and went on to be a well-respected New Testament scholar. In 1915 he wrote to the affect that “Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, he is possessed of the true historic sense… in short this author should be placed along with the greatest of historians” Another quote in 1963 from A.N. Sherwin-White, a 20th century Oxford President of Roman Studies and ancient historian said quote “For Acts the confirmation of the historicity is overwhelming. Any attempt to reject its basic historicity must now appear absurd.” We can trust this account, and I look forward to studying this with you!

Week 1 Study: Chapters 1 and 2

Let's start the reading with Acts 1:1-5 ESV.

Acts 1:1-5 ESV In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Notice in verse 3, He presented Himself alive after His suffering by many proofs and over a 40-day period before the ascension. What another great testimony of those events and a way to start the book for Theophilus.

Now let's read what has been called the Ascension and the promise of return!

Acts 1:6-11 ESV 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Jesus gives them this promise, and I would also say the mission statement of the rest of the book, in vv 8- But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. This promise is a fulfillment of prophetic hope found in Isaiah 32, Ezekiel 36 and Joel 2. As Jesus is lifted up and enthroned as the King of the world, that fulfills the Daniel 7 vision and the most common name that Jesus gave to Himself- The Son of Man. The rest of the book is about how the Holy Spirit works through these men in spreading this gospel. Chapters 2-12 mainly focus on Peter as the main character, and chapters 13-28 have Paul as the main character and his missionary journeys. Chapters 2-7 are mainly in Jerusalem, and then Chapters 8-12 are in Judea and Samaria, then Chapters 13-28 are to the ends of the Earth, even to the greatest city of the age- Rome! This promise is fulfilled in Chapter 1:8. Acts IS the story of the triumphant progress of the Word of God!

The chapter closes out with how the Disciples replaced Judas, who had betrayed Jesus. Let's review-

Acts 1:21-26 ESV 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Notice what two things were needed to qualify to replace Judas? Witness from the beginning, even back to the baptism of John, and a resurrection witness. This is the only time in the Bible that these men are named. There is another Justus named later in Acts and another in Colossians, but it's unclear if they are the same person, and it seems like one is Jewish and the other Greek. There is a non-canonical text called the Acts of Paul, where Justus is mentioned, but nothing else in the Bible. Matthias is only mentioned here, but tradition has him ministering in Ethiopia or Judea and being martyred.

Chapter 2 starts the story and the promised Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It was called the Festival of Weeks, which was 7 weeks or 49 days after Passover, as recorded in Leviticus. This day was also a day of remembrance when Moses got the Law from Mount Sinai. The word Pentecost means 50th, as that was the first day of the festival. The meeting at the Upper Room is also the same place where the Last Supper took place. I had the incredible opportunity to visit the traditional location where they believe this room is today. Something I learned from that trip is what is below this building. This is the traditional place of King David's Tomb, and it is a Synagogue today.

Peter's sermon is recorded in verses 17-41, where he draws on scriptures like Joel, Isaiah, Ezekiel and Psalms, which I always find so incredible. Take a moment to read this section.

Let’s review the response given after the sermon.

Acts 2:37-41 ESV 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

We started with 120 in the Upper room to 3,000! Not sure how they count these things, but when I did a Google search, there are now over 2.4 billion Christians. Peter and Paul didn’t have chapter and verse, yet they drew on Scripture in so many ways because it was written on their hearts! May we use their example and draw on God’s Word as much as possible! I can't help but think of the other phrases I draw on so much. Here I am, Thy will be done. Help my unbelief, and here we have in verse 37, What shall we do!

How can we ensure that future generations understand and embrace the gospel? What role should we play in passing on our faith?

Next time, we will review Acts Chapters 3-5. Until we meet again, may you find inspiration and insight in your own journey with scripture. May God's peace fill your day, in Jesus' name!