EXPERIENCING GOD
I. Introduction
A. Author and Date
1. Although the author is not named in the book we can gather from external evidences and from inferences of the book itself that Luke was the author.
2. The earliest of the external evidences appear in the Muratorian Canon (A.D. 170), where the explicit statement is made that Luke was the author of both the third Gospel and the “Acts of All the Apostles.”
3. Eusebius (A.D. 325) list information citing various sources that identify Luke as the author (Ecclesiastical History, 3.4).
4. Luke was born in Antioch of Syria and was taught in the science of medicine. Some late writers say he was also a prolific painter.
i. We know he was not born a Jew because Paul does not mention him among those of “the circumcision.”
ii. The date of his conversion is unknown but he joined Paul in Troas and journeyed with him into Macedonia.
5. Luke was a Gentile who had excellent training in Greek, knew the art of rhetoric, had superb research and compositional skills, was familiar with historic writings of Hellenistic tradition.
6. As to his death and age there is much uncertainty. He probably died as a martyr between 75 and A.D. 100.
7. William Ramsay, a notable archaeologist and Bible scholar, proved that the historical record of Acts is remarkably accurate regarding the specific practices, laws and customs of the period it purports to record; it is the work of contemporary eye-witnesses.
8. Luke’s Gospel is the first half of a single two-volume work (Luke-Acts), sharing purpose, themes, and theology with the book of Acts.
9. Two dates of the writing of this book are possible:
i. Between 70 and 80 A.D., which would have allowed Luke to use Mark in his Gospel.
ii. During Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome A.D. 64. This date is significant because it contains no allusions to events after Paul’s two-year imprisonment.
10. We are now embarking in a study of which we are eyewitnesses of this phenomenon, which is still present in the twenty-first century.
B. Theme, Purpose and Characteristic
1. In this book we see power exercised in the midst of persecution for it deals with a point in time of intense conflict. It is no wonder God says they will be filled with power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, they would need it.
2. This book is significant as a historical account of the birth and growth of the Christian church.
i. Acts is not a comprehensive history of the church, but rather a focused history centering on the beginnings of the church and ministry of certain apostles.
3. You will also find embedded in this book a defense presented to both Jews (4:8-12) and Gentiles (25:8-11), with the underlying purpose of conversion to Christianity. It also shows how they coped with pagan thoughts.
i. Luke is underlying the fulfillment of Israel’s hope giving testimony of the fact that God’s salvation had arrived through the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. We will also see principles that are employed in certain situations that would arise in a newly formed church. He wanted to legitimize the claims of the church as the authentic people of God in the present age.
II. A Living Lord (Experience)
A. (v 1) Reference to former writings
1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach
1. The book opens with a reminder. The beloved physician had written previously a writing that we know as the Gospel of Luke.
2. Theophilus
3. In the previous book (St. Luke) Luke refers to him with a title of
4. This would infer that Theophilus was just a subtitle for Flavious Clement (possibly), who was a cousin of Domitianus or a very influential person in the Roman culture.
5. He was a person that seems to want to learn more about Christianity or some commentaries say he may have been a Christian.
i. This seems to be true because the Christian movement was causing such a stir that it is likely that Rome had an investigation done to find out who these people calling themselves Christians were.
6. Luke wanted to show Rome that Christianity was harmless, innocent, and lawful, contrary to what many oppositionists were saying.
7. Jesus had just spent forty days with his disciples in his post resurrection ministry. He is seeking to move these weak self-centered disheartened disciples into a new beginning.
8. The Gospel of Luke describes only a beginning of what Jesus did and Acts is a continuation of His works to this day.
i. By using the word “began” conspicuously implies that what Jesus did in his public ministry on earth was only a start.
B. (vv 2-3) Last works of Jesus
2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
1. Until the final moment of His time here on earth he did the same that he had always showed them: Instruction, Proof, Declaration (Mt 4:23).
2. The apostle Paul records that Jesus appeared not only to the twelve apostles and to James, but also to five hundred brothers at the same time (1 Cor 15:5-7).
i. This means that anyone needing eyewitness verification of Jesus’ resurrection could obtain it very easily.
3. The Kingdom of God was the central message of Jesus’ teaching during his three-year ministry. It continues to be His theme yet interpretation of this seems to be substantially different from what his Jewish followers were expecting.
4. The Word of God in Romans 14:17 says, “the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” This message has to do with a relationship with God restored that was severed by sin (Gn 3).
5. The thing to note is that the birth of the church began with them recalling or remembering what Jesus had said and done.
III. The Power of the Spirit (Joy)
A. (vv 4-5) Instructions
4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
1. The gift of the Father is the blessing God had given to Abraham is Genesis 12 that in you all nations should be blessed.
2. The prophets announced the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in connection with the new covenant.
i. Isaiah looks forward to the time the “Spirit is poured out upon us from high.” (Is 32:15).
ii. Ezekiel recognizes that God will pour out His spirit on us (Ez 37:14; 36:27).
iii. Joel prophesies that God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28-32).
3. Jesus now begins to teach them about empowerment. They had finally understood baptism in water, a complete immersion and acceptance of God’s plan now they were to be immersed in something new.
4. The concept of the body is what they are about to learn, “for we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Cor 12:13).
5. They were to wait ten days until all this is to happen. Ten is the number that refers to trial. Waiting is hard yet brings great reward in the Kingdom. Isaiah apparently knew much of this for he wrote, “those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength” (Is 40:31).
B. (vv 6-8) The explanation
6So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
1. We see here the ongoing confusion of the disciples on what truly is to happen and the nature of God’s Kingdom.
2. They are worried about there own accomplishments (when will you restore the kingdom of Israel?), there was such tension between Rome and Israel at that time that they wanted to be liberated by their Messiah.
3. Jesus is concerned about God’s Kingdom and His answer is three fold:
i. Don’t worry about your own things God has that under control.
ii. What God wants to do is to fulfill His covenant with Abraham.
iii. I will give you the capacity and resources to change the world, (they would prefer destruction of all enemies and God wants them transformed so He will make a witness of them) Power.
4. Now Luke gives references to different places with intent not to talk of border but conditions of man.
5. They will become witnesses in these different areas:
i. Jerusalem: The religious and proud folks who crucified Jesus, and brought fear to the disciples.
ii. Judea: Where the Canaanites originally lived and the people who rejected his ministry.
iii. Samaria: Were rejected and hurt people because in Israel they were considered a wasteland of half-breeds.
iv. Ends of the earth: The Gentiles, sinners, considered nothing more than fuel for the fires of Hell.
6. He was about to make of these people one body and make them to be witnesses to these that apparently were their enemies.
7. This serves also as a chapter outline of all that occurred in the book of Acts: Jerusalem (1-7), Judea and Samaria (8-9), the ends of the earth (10-28).
IV. The Promise of His Return (Hope)
A. (vv 9-11) Jesus ascends into heaven
9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
1. This cloud that hides Jesus and does not let human eyes see him is not a normal cloud.
2. According to the “Tanakah” the cloud in the Old Testament is an expression of the Shekinah glory of God (Ex 13:21 – By day the Lord went ahead in a pillar of cloud to guide them and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light).
3. While they were looking intently two angelic figures appear before them to affirm the Lord’s return. There were two Cherubim on the mercy seat; there were two angels in the tomb of the resurrected Jesus.
i. The reason two is used is that Jewish law stipulates that “a matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Dt 19:15).
4. They assure the amazed disciples that the return of this glorified Jesus will be in the same fashion, as Jesus himself had said, “men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory” (Mt 13:26).
5. So why just stand in a gaze, let us put God’s plan into action. You can’t go wrong if you seek to build your life on God’s plan (God’s plan is laid out for us in the Scriptures).
V. The Power of Prayer and Scripture (Strength and Direction)
A. (vv 12-14) Return in obedience to Jesus’ words
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
1. A Sabbath day’s walk is only expressing a short distance. It is saying that they walked a distance allowed during the Sabbath.
2. There those who had been skeptics were now believers such as the brothers of Jesus, James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon (Mk 6:4).
i. According to Jewish tradition it was necessary to have 120 persons in a city to have a legitimate Jewish community.
ii. The Mishnah reads, “ And how many should there be in a city that it may be fit to have a Sanhedrin? A hundred and twenty men.”
3. Now we will see three things they did to make these Godly decisions.
4. Their obedience must be noted here; Jesus had told them to return to Jerusalem and they did just that. To be able to receive the promise of the Father a prerequisite is obedience.
5. Second thing that must be noted is their unity because they continued with one accord. During the time Jesus had been with them they had bickered back and forth but now they had understood the Kingdom purpose.
6. Thirdly their prayer must be noted for they joined together in prayer. It is only when we wait on the Lord in united prayer that the reviving, energizing power of the Spirit of God is poured out. Everything happens in the place of prayer!
B. (vv 15-23) The first home cell
15In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus-- 17he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” 18(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the book of Psalms, “ ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it, and, “ ‘May another take his place of leadership. 21Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” 23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
1. About 120 people gathered in that upper room in Jerusalem known as the “cenacle” this is a Latin expression for “the dining room.”
2. God’s has a plan and it is not essential to understand all the intricate details of His plan. All you have to do is follow the plan; God will work out the details.
3. Waiting is usually the time you prepare for the moment you receive the command to move. Power comes to those who wait upon God’s timing:
i. “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope” (Ps 130:5).
ii. “Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Ps 27:14).
4. Peter takes his place of authority and shows wisdom that we not often saw in him before. He notes, as he read scripture, that Judas did not spoil God’s plan but fulfilled it (Ps 69:25 & Psalm 109:8 May his days be few; and may another take his place). Only mature Christians can see this even amongst evil.
5. Luke’s historical account recalls the death of Judas. In Matthew 27:5 it says that Judas committed suicide by hanging himself. Luke goes into further detail regarding the suicide, from a medical standpoint, “as he hung himself he fell and was killed by the impact of the fall.”
i. Judas had been stealing money from the treasury and asked for money to betray Jesus (thief).
ii. He knew that the Messiah was coming to overthrow Rome and he wanted to have land for his future (selfish).
iii. He had already picked out his plot of land to build his nest on yet he was lacking thirty pieces of silver (greed).
6. Judas spilled his blood and the land was purchased with the “blood money.”
7. While they prayed and waited upon the Lord they studied the Word. Waiting does not mean you should be passive. They are now studying the Word for God’s direction.
8. They are choosing someone to take the place of the fallen disciple because they think it is what God wants not what they want. They want to do God’s will.
9. This is a powerful message for those who are seeking renewal; they were depending on God to supply all the needed results. When we pray for God’s will to be done, it is a prevailing prayer.
10. The disciples confess the inability to choose a man to take Judas’ place. So they leave the results to God as they cast the lots.
11. To be a true disciple of the Lord the person must have two outstanding qualities: had to have walked with Jesus and seen the resurrected Jesus.
i. Knowledge: know who the Lord is
ii. Experience: have experienced the Lord
12. Many people have knowledge of the Lord yet have never experienced Him and others have experienced the Lord yet have no knowledge of Him. You must have both qualities to be a disciple.
C. (vv 24-26) The disciples cast lots
24Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
1. They chose the twelfth disciple the same way Jesus chose them, by praying first (Lk 6:12-13).
2. The two that fit the description of what they thought should be a disciple were two men, Barsabbas which means “son of the Sabbath” and Matthais meaning “the gift of God.”
3. In these times casting lots was considered a God choice taken from scripture in Proverbs 16:33 “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”
4. Casting lots may be an imperfect way of choosing and discerning God’s will but is a far better method than what the church uses today to choose its leadership (emotions, circumstances, feelings, carnal desires, personal accomplishments).
5. After the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2 we find they no longer use this form of choosing, now it is relying on the Holy Spirit and Scripture.
6. Some think that they chose wrong because Matthias is never again mentioned after the first chapter of Acts yet neither is Matthew or Andrew or Thomas.
7. Only James, John, Peter are mentioned in prominence in the book of Acts yet all were chosen by the Lord and impacted the World.
Application:
The birth of the church began with men and women just meditating on a living Lord (1-3). They had experienced God and were filled with joy by receiving the promise of the power from on high, which will bless all nations, because Christ in us the hope of glory (4-8). He promises to return, to reveal himself to them; they could be expectant of it, but not the way they wanted but through the glory of the presence of God in our midst (9-11).
It was imperative that they learn to wait, for that is how our strength shall be renewed and we can be expectant of that (12-14). We must not remain passive but pray and study His Word to receive direction; there lies the source of power. As a Body united prays together and studies His Word together then they will obey together and change the world (15-26).
We must experience God and be expectant. We must wait, pray and study God’s Word. We must obey Him and we will change the wo
