The Acts of the Apostles

The Acts of the Apostles Lesson One: Chapter 1

“The former treatise …” Acts 1:1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach … Acts was written by “Luke, the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14) Luke 1:3-43 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

Acts 1:1-2 1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2Until 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:

Acts 1:3To 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:

Luke 24: 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

2…he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles … Acts 1:4-54And, 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. Luke 24:49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

The Apostles’ Question Acts 1:6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Luke 1:32-3332 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Acts 1:7And 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.

Acts 1:8 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.

Acts 1:9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Luke 24:50-51 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

Acts 1:10-11 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.

After the Ascension Acts 1:1212 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. From Smith’s Bible Dictionary:The Law as regards travel on the Sabbath is found in Exodus 16:29: Let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. As some departure from a man’s own place was unavoidable, it was thought necessary to determine the allowable amount, which was fixed at 2000 paces, or about six furlongs [2/3 mile] from the wall of the city.

Acts 1:13-1413And 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. 14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Filling the Office Vacated by Judas Iscariot Acts 1:15-1715And 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,) 16Men 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. 17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

Recounting his death Acts 1:18-1918Now 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. 19And 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.

Matthew 27: 3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. 7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. 8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

The Condemnation of Judas Iscariot Acts 1:20For 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. Psalm 69:25 and 2825 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. Psalm 109:6-96Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. 7When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. 8Let his days be few; and let another take his office. 9Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.

Qualifying the New Apostle Acts 1:21-2221Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22Beginning 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.

The Ordination of Matthias Acts 1:23-2623And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The Ordination of Matthias End of Chapter One

Acts 1:8 and the Great Commission Acts 1:8But 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. Matthew 28:19-2019Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Mark 16:15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Acts 1:8 and the Structure of the Book • Acts 1:8… ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. • 1. The witness in Jerusalem: • Chapters 1 to 7 • 2. The witness in Judaea and Samaria: • Chapters 8 to 12 • 3. The witness unto the uttermost parts of the earth: • Chapters 13 to 28

The Three Audiences Part 1: The Jews Part 2: The Samaritans Part 3: The Gentiles

The Pillars of the Church Part 1: Peter Part 2: Peter and Paul (Saul of Tarsus) Part 3: Paul

The Timeline • Part 1: 5 years (AD 30-35) • Part 2: 13 years (AD 35-48) • Part 3: 14 years (AD 48-62) • A total of 32 years, according to Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts.

Where the Story takes Place

The Land of Canaan in the Near East

The Land of Canaan • Capernaum GALILEE • Nazareth SAMARIA JERUSALEM • Bethlehem JUDAEA

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,

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, JERUSALEM

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, JERUSALEM JUDAEA

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, SAMARIA JERUSALEM JUDAEA

…and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The Witness in Jerusalem The Day of Pentecost Next:

The Acts of the Apostles