Read Acts 1:21-26

                                                     Why is a 12^th disciple needed?

Assuming you understand that you are called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, with whom do you invest in the kingdom? 

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Are you a “lone ranger” type, or are you intimately involved in the work of ministry and loving other people alongside other disciples of Jesus?  ___________________________

Which do you think is more effective?  ________________________

Judas’ demise left a gap in the group of twelve apostles, and it seemed apparent to Peter and the others, that this position must of necessity be filled.  Why?  There are probably a few different factors:

1.       To demonstrate to all that there was a cohesive and responsible group of people who had firsthand experience with Jesus, (and life alongside Him), and that they would be reliable guarantors of the truth of the Gospel.

2.      In the Gospel, the twelve were specifically called to be apostles to the Jews, and were told by Jesus that they would one day be sitting on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

3.      Remaining in the order of God’s purposes and plans—twelve was a key number going back to the Old Testament and the twelve tribes of Israel.  In the final order of things this pattern continues. 

4.      When Jesus did sent out His disciples, it appears He sent them out in pairs.  If this is a high priority, then certainly it would need to apply to the leaders of the movement. 

I am not really sure if this is a “practical application” text, or if it is more simply a “historical text”.  What do you think?  _____________

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Read and Pray:  Luke 22:28-30, , Revelation 21:10-14, Luke 10:1, Ephesians 4:11-16

Read Acts 1:15-20

                                                   Discrepancies in Scripture?

Skepticism is quite popular at this period in time—it is “in vogue”.  I really do not think that sincere questions and doubts are bad.  I believe they are normal, and most people do struggle with some doubt and skepticism at times.  I believe the offense comes when our questions and criticisms are coming from a prideful attitude that desires not to believe. 

That being said, there certainly are some things in scripture which are hard to understand and I believe we are to intelligently engage the scripture and conversations around us so as to explore the truth.  We came across this opportunity right off the bat in this first chapter of Acts.

At first glance, it would appear that Matthew 27:5 and Acts 1:18 present contradictory telling of the demise of Judas.  I ended up doing a fair amount of reading on this due to my curiosity, and found some interesting thoughts, in commentaries and histories, as well as online.  The bottom line for me?  I do not think there is a contradiction,  I do believe both accounts are true and factual, not at all mutually exclusive.  I believe Judas did use the money, did purchase a field, did hang himself on a tree within that property’s perimeter, and after some time of decay, (and maybe a big wind?), his body did fall from the tree, bursting open upon impact.  The following post gives more details and articulates this view (and others) very well:  http://thisblogchoseyou.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/the-death-of-judas-is-there-a-contradiction/#comment-5046

èMore important than all of this, is the condition of our own hearts: 

·         Are we in a place of humbly seeking the truth? 

·         Even though we are to love God with all of our heart, soul, MIND and strength, are we simply being too lazy to think intelligently about the difficulties we run across in scripture or are we willing to engage them? 

·         Are we too stubborn to want to understand scripture since we know that somewhere along the way it will make demands upon us?

Read and Pray:  2 Peter 3:14-16, James 4:1-10, John 8:31-32, Proverbs 1:1-7 

Read Acts 1:1-14

                     The Ascension of Jesus

This is a true story.  It has everlasting implications.  The ascension of Jesus was an actual event clearly apparent to the disciples.  The Gospel writers say, having lost the visible presence of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem with “great joy.”  Something very significant had happened.  …The disciples knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the rest of their lives they would walk with Him in whose presence there is fullness of joy.

The ascension reminds us of Jesus’ role as mediator.  Every time we address God in prayer we communicate through Christ.  It is our only way to approach the Father.  In the first letter to Timothy, Paul tells us, “For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and mankind together, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself to redeem all.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6, TEV)[1]

               

                Today, may you be mindful of what an incredible gift you have received in being invited into relationship with God!

            What are some of the true stories of His work in your life?

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_________________________________________________________ Are you going about your daily life with “great joy” as a consequence of His work in you, around you, through you, to you?

Read and Pray:  Mark 5:19-20, Psalm 16:11

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[1] Zimmerman, Martha, Celebrating the Christian Year, (Bethany House Publishers, 1993) pp.159-160

Read Acts 1:12-14

1.  Jesus’ mode of operation brought transformation to the religious community in a number of ways.  How diverse were his followers?  __________________________________________________________

What in this passage demonstrates that this reform is in effect, and serves as motivation?  ____________ and __________________ all together

2.  In what ways do you think our current religious communities could use some transformation or reform?  ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

How might this best be brought about?  ___________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

3.  It is sometimes easier to talk about change than to actually live change.  Are there any ways in which you need to grow and change in your thinking and behavior so that you will better bring transformation to your own faith community? ____________________________________________________________

If so, identify the areas of your thinking and/or behavior need to be addressed:  ____________________________________________________________

4.  Can you think of any scriptures which speak to these particular areas of your life?  List a few here:

_____________________________________________________________ 

May you go boldly now, to Jesus and to the Bible, to find His mercy, and to obtain His grace to help you in your time of need. 

Read and Pray: Hebrews 4:14-16, Galatians 3:27-28, Philippians 2:4-5, Romans 12:1-2

Read Acts 1:6-11

The subject of the Holy Spirit and accompanying gifts has often been the subject of division within the Body of Christ.  What a shame!  The works of the Holy Spirit cover an enormous span of particulars (sanctification, discernment, comfort, healing, guidance, prayer…), and yet, all of those particulars play into the larger purpose of God –a purpose of which we are invited to be a part, in unity. 

We may get frustrated with other believers and/or the world around us, but there is really no time for laziness and wishful thinking about the return of Christ.  Before that happens, the disciples of Jesus, (including we ourselves), must be witness and communicate the Truth to every tribe, tongue and nation.  The “end” will not come until this has occurred. (See Mark13:10)   

1.  What indicates that a person has been baptized in, or received, the Holy Spirit?  ________________________________________________________

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2.  Do you think someone can be a Christian before, or without the baptism of the Holy Spirit?  _______Support your answer, and use these texts to help you do so:  Acts 2:38, 8:15-17, 8:35-39, 9:17, 10:44-48.  Is there a “normal” pattern or method here? 

_________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

3.  Why or how is this important in fulfilling the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all people, baptizing them in the name of Jesus? _________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

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We are to being doing this both near to our homes as well as far away.  Maybe you are not a linguist, or a cross-cultural missionary.  Then what?  Anyone can be involved in extending the gospel, and it will be powerful with the Holy Spirit’s involvement—

1.      In your sphere of influence, the way you live your life, alongside words of truth, will speak volumes, and impact hearts and lives with God’s love.

2.      Prayer for other people and nations who do not yet have the Good News of Jesus Christ.

3.      Prayer for (and thus partnering with), those who are currently doing the tangible work of Bible translation, evangelism, church planting,  and/or other service or development ministries in the name of Christ. 

4.      If you are not yet involved beyond your own circle of friends and associates, why not become a larger part of the fulfillment of the great commission?  You can access some of the organizations either through your church, or online. [1]  

Read and Pray:  Luke 4:1, John 14:26-27, 16:8-11, 1 Corinthians 12:4-13, Revelation 22:17

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[1] Check these out if you need a connection:  http://www.wycliffe.org/ , http://www.persecution.com/ . http://www.worldvision.org/ , http://www.prisonfellowship.org/prison-fellowship-home , http://www.mcc.org/

Read Acts 1:1-8

How often do we really ponder the fact that after the resurrection Jesus was presenting Himself alive with many infallible proofs?  It is not uncommon for people to argue against the risen Christ, and it behooves us to be familiar with the facts surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection, and the testimonies and lives of those who were witnesses. 
(check out http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/easter/articles/josh2.html for more information) 

From the disciples point of view, it seems they were thinking, “Okay, finally now will God establish His rule?”  And once again, a response from Jesus takes the issue further than any of them had conceived…

It seems that by now, they were beginning to understand that God’s rule was not merely a political one.  So what is God’s rule, and what does it look like?

___________________________________________________

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What is the “restoring of the kingdom”?

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

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As you think about these questions, remember God is the healer, the provider, the defender, the lover of our soul.

How is the spreading of God’s rule to take place?

___________________________________________________

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We may not physically see Jesus, but in the ________ we have a record of what he has said and done.  In our times of ____________ we have opportunity to commune with Him.  In our __________________ we have opportunity to relate to Him within other people.

The questions for us now are, 
(1) Will we value and prioritize the opportunities that lay before us in scripture, silence and prayer, and other believers? 
(2) Will we obey Him by extending these blessings to others?   

Read and Pray: Psalm 119:33-40, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 62, Ephesians 4:11-16

A little background to get started with the Acts of the Apostles

Acts of the Apostles

The “Acts of the Apostles” is an ancient historic document written by one who was most likely a Gentile believer.  It is actually a “Part 2” which was written to follow and complete the account given in the gospel of Luke, which bears the name of the author.  Both books were addressed to Theopholis who was apparently a man of high social standing, and who is probably the one responsible for the publishing of Luke and Acts in order to make them available to Gentiles.

What do we know about the author?  His vocation was that of physician, and as such, was a man of discerning thought and detail.  He probably was not an eyewitness of the events in the gospel, but he was a historian in the Greek tradition of ancient approaches to history writing, research, consulting eyewitnesses, comparing sources, traveling and participating. He was a close associate and traveling companion of Paul, which certainly gave him direct access to a number of eyewitnesses, including other apostles.

Ancient historiography, unlike ancient biography, focuses more on event than on persons and personalities.  There is a concerted effort to record significant happenings and if possible, to explain the causes of the happenings.  Unlike modern historiography, the ancients were less concerned about (1) chronological precision (2) exhaustive or comprehensive accounts (3) value-free commentary (4) ascribing all events to purely natural causes and (5) avoidance of rhetorical devices or effects.[1] 

Have you ever wondered why people waited so long to actually sit down and record all the events that took place?  It is likely that the disciples believed the second coming of Jesus was imminent, and therefore priority was given to urgent evangelism through preaching, service, signs and wonders.  It was probably about 20 years after the resurrection—when some of the disciples were surely old, and some passing away, that documenting the history became a priority so that following generations could comprehend the person of Jesus.  Most scholars believe the Acts of the apostles was written prior to Paul’s trial before Caesar in A.D.62.

The last recorded words of Jesus have come to be known as the Great Commission.  The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke lead the reader to this point, leaving them with the charge to act on the information they now have.  Acts records how some of the early Christians did just that.  They took the commission seriously and devoted their lives to sharing the good news of a Savior who offers deliverance from sin and destruction and opens the way to relationship and peace with God.

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[1] Witherington, Ben, New Testament History, (Baker Academic, Grand Rapids Michigan,2001) p. 24