Acts Chapter 1

From The Open Bible Project

The Acts of the Apostles

1:1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,

• (1) Luke switches over from the history of the Gospel, that is from the history of the sayings and doings of Christ, unto the Acts of the Apostles.
• (a) The acts of Jesus are the miracles and deeds which showed his Godhead, and his most perfect holiness, and examples of his doctrine.

1:2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

1:3 To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God's Kingdom.

• (2) Christ did not immediately ascend into heaven after his resurrection in order to thoroughly prove his resurrection, and with his presence strengthen and encourage his Apostles in the doctrine which they had heard.
• (b) He called those things infallible proofs which are otherwise termed necessary: now in that Christ spoke, and walked, and ate, and was felt by many, these are sure signs and proofs that he truly rose again.

1:4 Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, "Don't depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.

• (c) They were dispersed here and there, but he gathers them together so that all of them might together be witnesses of his resurrection.

1:5 For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

• (d) Either by the Father, or by me: so that either the Father or Christ is set here contrasted with John, as the Holy Spirit is contrasted with water, as things that are comparable to one another.

1:6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?"

• (3) We must fight before we triumph, and we must not search curiously after those things which God has not revealed.
• (e) To the old and ancient state.

1:7 He said to them, "It isn't for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.

• (f) That is, the proper occasions that provide opportunities for doing matters, which occasions the Lord has appointed to bring things to pass in.

1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth."

1:9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.

• (4) After Christ had promised the full power of the Holy Spirit, with whom he would govern his church (even though he would be absent in body), he took up his body from us into heavenly tabernacles to remain there until the latter day of judgment, as the angels witness.

1:10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,

1:11 who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky."

• (g) That is, out of your sight.

1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.

• (h) About two miles.

1:13 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.

• (5) Ecclesiastical assemblies to hear the word, and to make common prayer, were first instituted and kept in private houses by the Apostles.
• (i) They went into the house which the Church had chosen at that time to be a gathering place for the whole assembly.

1:14 All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

• (k) The Greek word signifies an invincible constancy and steadfastness.
• (l) It is to good purpose that this agreement is mentioned: for those prayers are most acceptable to God which are made with agreeing minds and wills.
• (m) The disciples prayed for the sending of the Holy Spirit, and also to be delivered from present dangers, of which there were many that they were experiencing.
• (n) For it was appropriate to have the wives strengthened and encouraged who would afterwards be partakers of the dangers with their husbands.
• (o) With his relatives.

1:15 In these days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said,

• (6) Peter is made the spokesman and interpreter of the whole company of the Apostles, either by secret revelation of the Holy Spirit, or by the express judgment of the congregation.
• (p) Because men are commonly referred to and enrolled by their names.

1:16 "Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.

• (7) Peter anticipates the offence that might be taken at the falling away of Judas the betrayer, showing that all things which happened to him were foretold by God.

1:17 For he was numbered with us, and received his portion in this ministry.

1:18 Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out.

• (q) Luke did not consider Judas’ purpose, but that which followed it, and so we used to say that a man has done himself harm, not that he wanted and intended to, but in respect of that which followed.
• (r) The Greek words signify this much, that Judas fell down flat and was torn apart in the middle, with a tremendously great noise.

1:19 It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called 'Akeldama,' that is, 'The field of blood.'

1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell therein;'[1] and, 'Let another take his office.'[2]

• (s) His office and ministry: David wrote these words against Doeg the King’s herdsman: and these words "shepherd", "sheep", and "flock" are used with reference to the Church office and ministry, so that the Church and the offices are called by these names.

1:21 "Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

• (8) The Apostles do not deliberate at all, but first they consult and take guidance from God’s word: and again they do nothing that concerns and is incumbent upon the whole body of the congregation, without making the congregation a part of the decision.
• (t) This kind of speech signifies as much in the Hebrew language as the exercising of a public and difficult office, when they speak of such as are in any public office; (Deuteronomy 31:2; 1 Chronicles 27:1).

1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection."

• (u) From our company.

1:23 They put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

• (9) The Apostles must be chosen immediately from God: and therefore after praying, Matthias is chose by lot, which is as it were God’s own voice.
• (x) Openly, and by the voices of the entire company.

1:24 They prayed, and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen

1:25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place."

• (y) That he may be a member and partaker of this ministry.
• (z) Departed from, or fallen from: and it is a metaphor taken from the word "way": for callings are signified by the name of "ways" with the Hebrews.

1:26 They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.