To cover the entire book of Acts in 16 lessons is, of course, an impossibility. One will have to choose certain parts rather than others and this choice may not always agree with the choice of the reader. However, this book is extremely im­portant to the life of the individual believer and to the life of the church, making it very valuable for study by groups and by societies. Acts is the bridge between the gospels and the epistles. Acts gives us the earliest history of the church. It gives us the principles and early practices of Missions. It shows us how the church developed in the earliest time. The doctrine of the church, so eloquently developed in Ephe­sians and Colossians, finds its beginning here.

The Lord Acts⤒🔗

In the second century it was already commonly believed that Luke was the author of Acts and this has not since then been disputed by many. The book spans a period of time of approximately 30 years. The name "Acts" or "Acts of the Apostles" is also of early origin. We do not know who was responsible for this name but it does not satisfy. In the first four verses of Luke's gospel we read that the writer is addressing that book to a certain "most excellent Theophilus." In that prologue he mentions the fact that he is writing to him about the things which have been fulfilled among us. He now refers to that first "treatise" as the one wherein he has made plain the things which Jesus "began" both to do and to teach, so that this is the second treatise in which he will now make known the things which Jesus continued to do and teach. The name of the book ought to be: "The Acts of the exalted Lord through His Apostles". In his gospel Luke taught all the things concerning Jesus Christ from the time before His birth until the time of the ascension. However, the ascension is just mentioned — he has more to say about this in this book.

After He had risen from the dead, Jesus stayed with His disciples another 40 days. During this period of almost six weeks He continued to teach them ... He gave them com­mandment through the Holy Spirit. He taught His chosen ones. His appearances to them after the resurrection were very important because they had to be witnesses of the risen Christ in order to be Apostles (vv. 21, 22). No act of His is better attested in Scripture than His resurrection! No doubt may exist on this score. He spoke to them concerning the kingdom of God. He had preached the gospel of the kingdom and His Apostles must do the same in the days to come.

The Lord's Instructions←⤒🔗

Even though there is so much to be done now that there is a risen Savior, He informs them that they are to wait a while before they begin the work to which they have been called. They are not yet equipped for that task. They must wait in Jerusalem for the fulfillment of the promise which they had received of the gift of the Holy Spirit. John bap­tized with water. They themselves, at least some of them, had been baptized by John. This water baptism will not depart, but something even greater will happen to them; they shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit. They did not understand what that would do but they will experience it and then they will be qualified to carry out their given task.

This teaching of the Lord causes questions to arise in the hearts of these disciples. Will Jesus at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? They know that it is His kingdom which is to come. They believe that it is a question of time. That Jesus is not free to tell them. That will have to wait. But, there is also another element which they have not understood — the kingdom will not be restored to the Israel after the flesh! His kingdom is much broader. Indeed, His kingdom will come and no one will be able to stop it, but that kingdom will be far greater than they have ever imagined. When the Spirit comes they shall become His witnesses not only locally but to the uttermost parts of the earth! By witnesses He means those who bear testimony to the truth as they have seen and been taught it and not a testimony to some experience of their own.

The Ascension←⤒🔗

When He had said these things He ascended! The event, stated so calmly, is one of the greatest revelations to us in the history of our redemption. The disciples had so many more questions. They wanted to keep Him with them. Even though He had said that it would be profitable for them that He would go away, they would have wished to keep Him with them (John 16:6ff.) because they didn't know the signi­ficance of the Spirit's coming or indwelling. Jesus defies the laws of gravity and of space when He ascends. They keep staring into the sky for one last glimpse of Him but a cloud comes and removes Him from their sight.

The true significance of the ascension of our Lord has not been recognized till the present day. If there is one worship service which His people will skip it is the ascension day service. Why? For one thing, the world doesn't celebrate it. We may talk and write a great deal about the world's wrong conception of Christmas and of Easter, but seeing the world calls our attention to them, we too celebrate even though we don't celebrate as the world does. Another reason for the neglect of this day seems to be the fact that it is so little understood. We are able, in a measure, to understand the coming of Christ in the flesh as a babe, even though it is a miracle. We are even able to understand the fact that He rose from the dead. But, ascension? However, if the ascension is not given its due, we do not have a complete gospel and an incomplete gospel is no gospel. He ascended to the right hand of God from where He rules over all things; from there He sends the Spirit; and from there He will pray for and guide His people into all truth.

The Angels Explain←⤒🔗

The disciples, not understanding what has taken place before their eyes, receive a clear commentary on the ascen­sion. Two men, angels, stood by them. They are not wear­ing mourning clothes but white apparel. They tell them that they should not continue to stare into the sky, for that is of no value. Jesus has gone into the heavens. But, He will also return in the same way as they have seen Him leave. The second coming of Jesus Christ is immediately connected to His ascension. He went up bodily; so He will also return. Then the various events associated with the redemption of His people will be complete. Christ comes, suffers, dies, is buried, rises, ascends, sends the Spirit and returns! Then the work is complete and the joy of His people will be complete.

The Wait←⤒🔗

The Lord's followers return to Jerusalem without Him. The eleven and some women and the brothers of our Lord meet in an upper chamber. Their work must still wait a while, but they are able to pray. This they do.

Replacing an Apostle←⤒🔗

Soon after this, the disciples are again together with various other followers of Jesus, a crowd numbering 120, and Peter takes the lead. He has understood from his study of the Scrip­tures that certain things must be done by them now. Judas is no longer among the twelve. He had been with them and had also received a mandate of the Lord. He had also gone over the cities of Israel proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. He had also told of the miracles which they were able to do in the name of Jesus. But, his place must be taken by another. There are various problems in this section which we will only mention. Matthew says that Judas hung himself. Peter now says that he was dashed to pieces. He obtained a field — the acre of blood. The gospels tell us that he cast the 30 pieces of silver into the temple and that the leaders bought this field. I only mention these details in passing because they are not the kind of "problems" which disturb a child of God.

Peter refers to Psalms 69 and 109. It is amazing that he so well understands the import of the words in these Psalms even before Pentecost. Judas' office must be taken by another. Some have suggested that the disciples made an error in choosing someone to replace Judas, because the Lord had Paul in mind for this vacant spot. I do not agree. God seems to put His stamp of approval on this action of the early church. It is true that we never hear of Matthias again, but neither do we hear about most of the other members of the "twelve."

The way in which someone was chosen to take the place of Judas is significant. There are certain qualifications which must be met. Those who are to be considered for this office must have been with Jesus from the time of John the Baptist until His ascension. Not only the twelve but also various others had been very faithful followers of Jesus. Candidates must certainly have seen the risen Lord, because an Apostle must be a witness of the resurrection. Only two men are "nominated." The one is Matthias, of whom we know nothing, and the other is Joseph, of whom we also know nothing. After prayer they cast lots and Matthias is chosen. The Old Testament had also spoken of the casting of lots as perfectly legitimate, but we must not deduce from this episode that this is the only way or the only approved way of choosing someone for office.

The circle which had been broken by the defection of Judas is now made complete again. These twelve will go primarily to the Jews and the Lord has someone else in mind for the tremendous task of bringing the gospel to the gentile world. He is ruling His church. His acts are clearly evident through the labors of the disciples.

Questions for Discussion:←⤒🔗

1. Do you think it makes much difference for our under­standing of a book of the Bible if we know who the author is and the reason for his writing?
    
2. Do you think the forty days between the resurrection and the ascension was ample time for Jesus to teach His disciples or must we look for a further meaning in the figure forty?
    
3. Does the question of the disciples about the time of the coming of the kingdom teach us anything about the need for Pentecost?
    
4. Is the ascension as important as Christmas or Good Fri­day or Easter? Give reasons for your answer.
    
5. Do we hear enough sermons on Christ's session at God's right hand and His return? Is "balanced" gospel preaching quite common? Discuss.
    
6. Do you think it was right for the eleven to choose some­one to fill the place of Judas? Give reasons for your answer.