#1545 Acts 2 Part 1 A Holy Hurricane

 

And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues like fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 So they were astounded and marveling, saying, “Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we each hear them in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the district of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” 12 And they all continued in astonishment and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others, mocking, were saying, “They are full of new wine.” Acts 2: 1-13

Acts 2: 1-3

…17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”… Matthew 16: 17-19

37On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” 39He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.… John 7: 37-39

V. 1 And when the day of Pentecost had fully come - Pentecost is 50 days after the Feast of First Fruits, and it falls on the first day of the week, Sunday. 

More on Pentecost

15 ‘You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths. 16 You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall bring a new grain offering near to Yahweh. 17 You shall bring in from your places of habitation two loaves of bread for a wave offering, made of two-tenths of an [d]ephah; they shall be of a fine flour, baked with leaven as first fruits to Yahweh. 18 Along with the bread you shall bring near seven one year old male lambs without blemish and a bull from the herd and two rams; they shall be a burnt offering to Yahweh, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to Yahweh. 19 You shall also offer one male goat for a sin offering and two male lambs one year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20 The priest shall then wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering with two lambs before Yahweh; they shall be holy to Yahweh for the priest. 21 On this same day you shall make a proclamation as well; it shall be a holy convocation for you. You shall do no laborious work. It is to be a perpetual statute in all your places of habitation throughout your generations.

22 ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the afflicted and the sojourner. I am Yahweh your God.’” Leviticus 23: 15-22

The day of Pentecost - The "when" is the day of Pentecost known by several other names -- The Festival of the Harvest of the First Fruits (Ex 23:16) and "the Feast of Weeks, that is, the first fruits of the wheat harvest" (Ex 34:22) which is celebrated by modern Jews as Shabuoth/Shavuot (or Shavual). The Day of Pentecost was an annual Jewish feast that was held in Jerusalem and was likely the best attended of the three required feasts (Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles - Dt 16:16, 2 Chr 8:13b), because the weather conditions were the most amenable to travel. Pentecost is also called the Day of First-fruits (Nu 28:26) (NOTE: NOT FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS WHICH WAS THE THIRD SPRING FEAST IN THE CHART BELOW) because on that day the first loaves made from the wheat harvest were offered to the Lord. It was to be a joyful time in recognition of Yahweh's provision for that year's harvest. In this sense, Pentecost is similar to our holiday in America called Thanksgiving. Note that if Pentecost was fifty days later (seven weeks plus one day) then Pentecost also took place on the first day of the week. "Christians assemble and worship on Sunday, the first day of the week, because on that day our Lord arose from the dead, but it was also the day on which the Holy Spirit was given to the church." (Wiersbe Bible Exposition Commentary ) - PA

Spurgeon comments on the relationship between giving of Law to Moses and giving of the Spirit - If you will count the days, you will find that it was exactly fifty days after the original Passover that the law was given on Mount Sinai. Many careful readers have observed this, but have feared to attach importance to the fact because the Jews did not connect it with Pentecost. Now we assert that as the inauguration of the law was on Pentecost, so also was the inauguration of the Gospel. At the commencement of the Old Testament dispensation, what manifestation do we get? God gives his people a law. At the commencement of the New Testament dispensation, what do we get? A law? No, the Lord gives his people the Spirit. That is a very different matter. Under the old covenant the command was given; but under the new covenant the will and the power to obey are bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit. No more have we the law upon stone, but the Spirit writes the precept upon the fleshy tablets of the heart. Moses on the mount can only tell us what to do, but Jesus ascended on high pours out the power to do it. Now we are not under the law, but under grace, and the Spirit is our guiding force. In the church of God our rule is not according to the letter of a law, but according to the Spirit of the Lord. Some people look for a specific ordinance for every item of procedure on the part of the church, but, so far as I can see, there is a singular absence of written rule and ritual concerning particulars, apart from the two great standing ordinances. I do believe that under this dispensation saints are left to the freedom of the Spirit, and are not specifically commanded in every detail by a written law. Neither this form of church government, nor that is forced upon us, but life is permitted to assume its own necessary form, under the molding power of the Holy Spirit. (from his sermon on Acts 2:1 - Pentecost) - Precept Austin

V. 1b All together in one place - Probably the 120 mentioned in the previous chapter.

V. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind - Like the receiving of the law on Mount Sinai, so too this event, the birth of the church, was inaugurated by unnaturally caused phenomena. The Israelites of Exodus were called into a covenant with God, one of, "do this and you shall live, and don't do this or you will die", the ten commandments. Now we see the two loaves at Pentecost have leaven in them, as sin is still here, even present in the church, but with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and ever being filled with the Spirit, believers are given a supernatural desire and ability to repent. The Spirit sanctifies us though we know no perfection this side of heaven, yet we are more and more being changed and conformed to the image of Christ. 

J Vernon McGee - “A friend of my daughter lives in Kansas and went through the experience of a tornado. It did not destroy their home but came within two blocks of it. When she wrote about it to my daughter, she said, ‘The first thing we noticed was a sound like a thousand freight trains coming into town.’ Friend, that was a rushing, mighty wind, and that was the sound. It was that kind of sound that they heard on the Day of Pentecost." (Thru the Bible)

MacArthur suggests that "It is the very blast of God’s breath. It reaches the earth all the way from heaven. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus said would happen in a few days. The sound was heard all over. The sound surely gathered the massive crowd that shows up to which Peter preached. But the presence of the breath of God filled only the house. The sound from heaven is like a hurricane, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. They were completely engulfed, completely immersed, completely baptized. That’s what that word is intended to convey. You can actually translate it the immersing with the Holy Spirit. Literally being engulfed with the Holy Spirit. This is the coming of the breath of God. - Precept Austin

12 Then the Lord told Moses, “Go up to me on the mountain and stay there. I’ll give you stone tablets with the instruction and law that I’ve written to teach the people.”

13 So Moses got up, along with Joshua his servant, and went up on the mountain of God. 14 He told the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. Look, Aaron and Hur are with you, and whoever has a dispute, let him come to them.”

15 When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it. 16 The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. Then on the seventh day he called to Moses from within the cloud. 17 To the Israelis the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. 18 When Moses went up on the mountain, he went into the center of the cloud and was on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights. Exodus 24: 12-18

1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,… 1 Peter 1: 1-3

12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.… Romans 8: 12-14

1Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.… Romans 12: 1-2

V. 3 And there appeared to them tongues like fire - This indicates that the Holy Spirit was present, and this is a fulfillment of the promise Jesus had made that the Comforter would come. 

Whereas the wind speaks of the power of God, fire speaks of the Presence of God. The Spirit had arrived in power, providing that which we desperately need for service (Acts 1:8). They heard the Spirit's arrival in Acts 2:2 and now they see the Spirit's arrival.

McGee - So on that Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came to the church, baptizing them into the body of Christ, there was an appeal to the ear and an appeal to the eye. This is not to be confused with the baptism of fire. The baptism of fire is judgment which is yet to come. In the Book of Revelation we see the wrath of God revealed from heaven, fire from heaven. That is a baptism of fire (Lk 3:16b+). If men will not have the baptism of the Holy Spirit, then they must have the baptism of fire—judgment (eg, Rev 16:8+, Rev 20:9-10+). The baptism of fire is for those who have rejected Jesus Christ. I used to go to a prayer meeting which a wonderful preacher attended. I loved that dear brother, although his theology differed from mine in some points. He would always pray that fire would fall on us. And I always canceled out that prayer and said, “Lord, for goodness sake, don’t let fire fall on us.” Fire, you see, is judgment. Fire burns. That is yet to come. When the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost, they saw something that in appearance looked like fire. (Thru the Bible)

Some have linked this description with the prophecy by John the Baptist that Jesus "will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Mt 3:11+, Lk 3:16+, cf Jn 1:33, Acts 1:5+). Notice that Jesus' prediction in Acts 1:5 He said "you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." So while the first part of Matthew 3:11+ appears to be fulfilled in the baptism of the Spirit in Acts 2:1-4, Jesus does not mention a baptism of fire in Acts 1:5. While not everyone agrees many commentators take the fire in Mt 3:11 (See notes on Lk 3:16) to refer to the fire of future judgment and this is supported by Jesus' words in Mt 3:12+ (and Lk 3:17) which clearly depict judgment. If this interpretation is correct, then the prophecy in Mt 3:11 is separated by a gap of thousands of years which span from the fulfillment in Pentecost in Acts 2:1 to the future fulfillment when Messiah judges the world in righteousness (cf Rev 20:11-15+). - Precept Austin

And they rested on each one of them - I think the tongues goes well with what will happen next, which is speaking in tongues that people from many different nations could understand. The Holy Spirit, in confirming Christ, appeared descending in the form of a dove, and a Spirit is typically invisible to us, but this is how He made His presence known. Now, many today have been taught to have this expectation of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, to be indicated by feelings, phenomena, and the tongues of fire are a bit difficult in most instances to duplicate, or forge, so they lean heavily upon what happens next, which is speaking in foreign languages, some even accept babble as a substitute, but we will explore this more in the next post. 

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#1544 Acts 1 Part 2 An Empty Throne

 

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 These all with one accord were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.

15 And in those days, Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (a crowd of about 120 persons was there together), and said, 16 “Men, brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his unrighteousness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. 19 And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms,

‘Let his residence be made desolate,

And let no one dwell in it’;

and,

‘Let another man take his office.’

21 Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us— 22 beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen 25 to take the place of this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. Acts 1: 12-26 LSB

Acts 1: 12-26

V.12 A Sabbath day's journey away - This became synonymous with 2,000 cubits, about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile. The Jews believed this to be the distance of the farthest tents from the tabernacle to the tabernacle, during the time of their early fathers wandering in the wilderness. We don't see that distance recorded in Scripture, but it became part of their tradition. 

VS. 15-16 The Scripture had to be fulfilled - Christ being born of a Virgin and later dying for the sins of His people was foretold in the OT. See links below

Christ Birth foretold 

Christ Birth Location foretold

Christ atoning sacrifice foretold

The OT also foretells the betrayal leading up to His crucifixion. God was sovereign even in this; Judas was only a surprise to the other disciples.

…8“A vile disease has been poured into him; he will never get up from where he lies!” 9Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. 10But You, O LORD, be gracious to me and raise me up, that I may repay them.… Psalm 41:8-10

…12For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. 13But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. 14We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.…

15Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes.… Psalm 55: 12-15

V. 17 For he was counted among us and received his share in the ministry - Jesus originally chose these 12, same number as the tribes of Israel, and the number was right, but Judas was not born again. He was physically with the twelve, with Christ, taught by Jesus, and we see this even today, people, even preachers, who come to the physical call. They come to the title, Christian, pastor, deacon, deaconess, elder, Sunday School teacher, but they trade Jesus in for something shiny. Some are about money, like Judas, some are for power, fame, the respect of men, others turn aside for their sexual perversions, or for their comforts and hobbies. 

For he was counted among us - Yes, Judas was of the 12 physically, but not spiritually, for he was never saved by grace through faith, even as Jesus Himself testified, John recording "But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was (JUDAS) that would betray Him." (John 6:64). Later, Jesus added "Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him." (John 6:70-71). And in His high priestly prayer Jesus prayed "While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition (JUDAS), so that the Scripture would be fulfilled." (Jn 17:12)

Counted (2674)(katarithmeo from kata = + arithmeo = to number) means to be numbered with or counted as a member of a group (in this the only NT use referring to the group of the apostle who followed Jesus). Used 3x in the Septuagint - Ge 50:3; Nu 14:29; 2 Chr. 31:19 - Precept Austin

Vs. 18-20 This man acquired a field - This is what the 30 pieces of silver purchased. Judas tried to give it back by throwing it on the floor of those who gave it to him. They in turn purchased the field where he hung himself. Apparently the rope gave or the branch broke, and he fell head long upon some rocks where his bowels burst. 

…12Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. 13And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”— this magnificent price at which they valued me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD. 14Then I cut in two my second staff called Union, breaking the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.… Zechariah 11: 12-14

Vs. 21 It is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us - The number 12 was important, tied to the twelve tribes of Israel, and tied to prophecies with a future historical fulfillment, at a place that could be physically measured. It is difficult to be an eye witness to the miracles, teaching or resurrection if you weren't there, so they had to find a man who met that criteria. These men are the pillars of the church, Christ being the foundation. Those that call themselves apostles today, who try to bring new revelation, are not, so just rebuke them and move on. 

…26When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me. 27And you also must testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning. John 15: 26-27

Constable - Why did Peter believe it was “necessary” to choose someone to take Judas’ place? Evidently he remembered Jesus’ promise that the 12 disciples would sit on 12 thrones in the messianic kingdom judging the 12 tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30; cf. Rev. 21:14). To be as qualified for this ministry as the other 11 disciples the twelfth had to have met the conditions Peter specified. (Acts 1 Expository Notes) - Precept Austin

…7When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayer be regarded as sin. 8May his days be few; may another take his position. 9May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.… Psalm 109: 7-9

…27“Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.… Matthew 19: 27-29

…29And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me, 30so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22: 29-30

…13There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south, and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15The angel who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city and its gates and walls.… Revelation 21: 13-15

V. 22 Beginning with the baptism of John - To witness this was also part of the criteria, so the pope does not make the grade, even though Roman Catholic dogma insists this is the case, that he is in a long procession that started with Peter, but theirs is an unbiblical teaching. You had to be there, and being there you would have heard the Father's testimony and seen the sign of the Holy Spirit. You also had to have seen the risen Christ.

13 Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he *permitted Him. 16 And after being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon Him, 17 and behold, there was a voice out of the heavens saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Matthew 3: 13-17

V. 23 Justus and Matthias - Two met the outward criteria. 

V. 24 You, Lord, know the hearts of all men - They couldn't see that, and I think the lesson of Judas was seared into their minds, how someone so close to them could be such a traitor. So they go where we all should go, always, to prayer. They ask God to show them. We often choose based on what people say, how they dress, how well we hit it off with them, and in many cases we miss out, or choose wrong. It is hard to assess a man's character at times, especially when he knows what you are looking for, but also it is easy for us to overlook someone who doesn't fish, or have the same humor, or their personality is a bit different. Sometimes it is our opposite in personality that is most like us in our character and love of Christ. 

V. 25 To go to his own place - If one is not born again then he will only will to choose according to his sinful nature. Pay attention, Judas did not want Christ though he followed him on foot. So ask yourself, where is the proof that I want Christ and not this world? Do you love Him, and how can I tell, how do you tell, where is the fruit? When did you last speak with Him? How close are you to His words?

Pritchard applies this tragic story of Judas to the modern church noting that "If Judas were alive today, the best place to find him would be in church on Sunday morning. He would come early, sit near the front, sing the hymns with gusto, clap during the choruses, and say "Amen" during the sermon!" - PA

V. 26 And they cast lots for them - They trusted that God would answer them in this way. Later this would be replaced by guidance of the word and prayer when it comes to the choosing of elders and other offices in the church. The New Testament gives grand and thorough instruction to those who aspire to such roles. 

And they drew lots for them - Casting lots was an accepted OT practice for determining God's will, but before you cast lots to determine God's will, you need to realize that this was the last occurrence of this practice in the Bible. Now we have the full revelation of God's Word and God's indwelling Spirit to guide our discernment of God's will. Wise counsel and circumstantial occurrences can help some but our primary mode of determining God's will needs to be His Word, His Spirit and prayer using the Word and in the Spirit. - PA

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#1543 Acts 1 Part 1 O Theophilus, Luke Continues

 

The first account, O Theophilus, I composed, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over forty days and speaking about the things concerning the kingdom of God. 4 And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 But He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the end of the earth.”

The Ascension

9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Acts 1: 1-11 LSB

Acts 1: 1-11

V. 1 The first account, O Theophilus, I composed - Luke is the writer of Acts, and so his reference here is to the gospel of Luke, which chronicled Jesus' life and teaching while He was here. Acts will start with Jesus' ascension, then the gift of the Holy Spirit, Who was promised Him, and then continue with early church history, the Acts of the Apostles. This is basically the accompaniment of Luke, book 2. 

Theophilus (theos = God + philos = friend) means "friend of God" or "God lover." In the beginning of his Gospel, Luke addresses Theophilus as most excellent Theophilus (Luke 1:3+), which was a way to address someone who held a high office. Most commentators agree that Theophilus was almost certainly a real person, probably a patron or sponsor of Luke. A few think Luke used the name as an "epithet" but this seems much less likely in view of his mention in Luke 1:3 and the fact that he had a specific title (most excellent) supporting the idea that he was a person of importance. - Precept Austin

1Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,…

4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke 1: 1-4

V. 2 He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen - This is what we refer to as the Great Commission. This is what they were to lay down their fishing nets in order to pursue, to spread the gospel, even at the cost of their lives. 

…18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”… Matthew 28: 18-20

…45Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.… 

…48You are witnesses of these things. 49And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 50When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them.… Luke 24: 45-49

The apostles whom He had chosen - These are not self-appointed leaders. They are not even volunteers, but were sovereignly chosen by Christ and were subject to His authority. The name they often given to themselves is "bondservants" or slaves (doulos - cf Paul = Ro 1:1, Peter = 2 Pe 1:1, James = James 1:1), men who had surrendered wholly themselves to the Lord and His will for their life. In the final analysis these men were witnesses who told others what they had seen and heard.

Kistemaker notes that "Luke employs the term apostles, for in Acts he characterizes believers as disciples (learners) and the apostles as teachers." For example, we read...

They (the believers, the disciples) were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42-+)

Apostles ("Sent Ones")9652)(apostolos from apo = from + stello = send forth) (Click discussion of apostle) means one sent forth from by another, often with a special commission to represent another and to accomplish his work. The apostles were commissioned and sent out on a mission and with the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ (cf Mt 28:18-20). Normally, the term apostles applies to the twelve (minus Judas, plus Matthias) and to Paul. There is one exception in Acts 14:14 where Luke describes "the apostles Barnabas and Paul." Bock adds that "In Judaism, such a representative speaks for the one who sends him. “A man’s agent is like to himself” (m. Berakot 5.5)." (Ibid) - Precept Austin

V. 3 To whom He also presented Himself alive - These men were eye witnesses to the miracles that Jesus performed during His first advent, and then witnesses to resurrection, by many signs and wonders, His person, eating with them, displaying the marks of the crucifixion on His body, and continuing their instruction. 

…5and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. 6After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.… 1 Corinthians 15: 5-7

1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. 2And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. 3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.… 1 John 1: 1-3

V. 4 Commanded them not to leave Jerusalem - Reminds you of when He told them to go to a mountain where He would meet them, but then they went back to fishing instead. I think Peter is going to wait this time and not lead the others astray. We have to learn to wait, to patiently abide in prayer for such delivery and or direction that we cannot as yet see. We are dependents who have the most absurd difficulty in acknowledging as much. 

V. 5 You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now - Many had received John's baptism unto repentance, acknowledging that they had strayed from God's commands, but the baptism of the Spirit is the applied work of Jesus Christ, immersion into His life, death and resurrection, by the call of the Father and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. This is to be born again, born of the Spirit. 

Gotquestions on the baptism of John (Mark 1:4 "John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.") – as John the Baptist preached repentance of sins in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, he baptized people in the Jordan. Those who were baptized by John were showing their faith in John’s message and their need to confess their sin (Mark 1:5). In Acts 18:24–25, a disciple of John’s named Apollos preaches in Ephesus; however, only knowing the baptism of John and the need for repentance, he needed to be further instructed in the death and resurrection of Christ. Later in the same city, Acts 19:1–7, Paul encounters some more followers of John. These disciples had been baptized for repentance, but they had not heard of the new birth or the Holy Spirit. Paul taught them the whole message of salvation in Christ, and they received the message and were subsequently baptized in Jesus’ name. (Excerpt from an interesting article entitled What are the seven baptisms mentioned in the Bible, and what do they mean?)

John MacArthur adds that "while there were various ceremonial washings in Judaism (cf. Heb. 6:2+), there was no baptism of Jews. But while there was no baptism of Jews in Judaism, the Jews did baptize Gentile converts to Judaism (Gentile proselytes). Thus, those who “were being baptized by [John] in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins” (Mt. 3:6), were publicly acknowledging that they were no better than the Gentiles. Their sins had separated them from the true and living God (cf. Isa 59:2) and cut them off from covenant blessings. For Jewish people to place themselves on the same level as the despised Gentiles was astonishing, and demonstrates the power of John’s preaching. Unfortunately, few being baptized by John were truly repentant. The nation would later reject Jesus when He failed to meet their expectations of a political Messiah, who would deliver them from the Romans. Others were superficial from the start....But those few (Mt 7:13–14+) who acknowledged their sinful condition and alienation from God and turned to Him in repentant faith were saved. (Luke Commentary)

Steven Cole - In the Book of Acts, this initial reception of the Spirit’s indwelling follows the pattern of Acts 1:8. In Acts 2, the believers in Jerusalem receive the Holy Spirit. In Acts 8 and 10, the new believers in Judea and Samaria receive the Spirit. In Acts 19, believers in Ephesus (the remotest parts of the earth) receive the Spirit. Since then, every Christian receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation (1 Cor. 12:13; Ro 8:9-+; Gal. 3:2-5-+). But although every Christian has received the Spirit, we still need continually and repeatedly to be filled with or controlled by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18-+). This is also referred to as walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16 - Ed comment: I see walking by the Spirit as the conduct that comes from one who is filled with or controlled by the Spirit so that filling is not strictly speaking identical to walking, in my opinion) and it results in the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, rather than the deeds of the flesh (Gal. 5:22-23-+). The power of the Spirit that we need for witnessing is not just the power to speak the gospel boldly and clearly. We also need the Spirit’s power to live holy lives. Our godly lives are the foundation for our verbal witness. If you are not denying ungodly lusts and growing in holiness (Titus 2:12-+), then please do not tell anyone that you are a Christian, because your life will bring disgrace to the name of Christ. I am not saying that you must be perfect before you bear witness. I am saying that you must be walking in the Holy Spirit, seeking to please God with your life, and forsaking all known sin. The power for verbal witness is not identical with being an effective salesman. An effective salesman may be able to talk someone into making a decision for Christ, but only God can impart new life to a dead sinner. We need to be clear and persuasive when we present the facts about Christ and the gospel, but the power to save a sinner lies with the Holy Spirit, not with us. Thus we cannot witness effectively for Christ unless we rely upon the Holy Spirit to produce godliness in our daily lives and to use our verbal witness as we have opportunity. (Acts 1:3-11 Doing Jesus’ Work)

Baptized (907) (baptizo from bapto = cover wholly with a fluid; stain or dip as with dye; of a blacksmith tempering red-hot steel, of dyeing the hair; of a ship that "dipped" or sank) has a literal and a figurative meaning in the NT. The literal meaning is to submerge, to dip or immerse as in water. The main meaning of baptizo is to be totally identified with something, in this case, the Holy Spirit. The passive voice “be baptized with” indicates that God (Christ) did the baptizing and that the disciples were to be merely the recipients. This makes sense for the Spirit is God's gift and our part is simply to receive the gift by grace through faith in Christ. - Precept Austin

John MacArthur adds - There is only one Spirit baptism, the baptism of Christ with the Spirit that all believers receive when they are born again. By this the Son places all believers into the sphere of the Spirit's power and Person, into a new environment, a new atmosphere, a new relationship with others, and a new union with Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 10:2, where Paul shows how the nation of Israel left Pharaoh and Egypt to become immersed and identified with a new leader, Moses, and a new land, Canaan). The pouring forth of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost also reveals that this baptism was by Jesus Christ (Acts 2:32-33), in fulfillment of John the Baptist's prediction (Matt. 3:11; etc.) and of Jesus' own promise (John 7:37-39; 15:7-15; Acts 1:5). We are not told exactly how this is done, any more than we are told exactly how God can give a person a new heart and new life. Those are mysteries beyond our comprehension. But there is no mystery as to the divine roles in salvation. The Father sent the Son and the Son sends the Spirit. The Son is the divine Savior, and the Holy Spirit is the divine Comforter, Helper, and Advocate. The Son is the baptizer and the Holy Spirit is the agent of baptism...It is interesting that those who advocate Christians' seeking the baptism by the Spirit in order to belong to the spiritual elite cannot seem to agree on how that is to be done. They have many ideas and many theories but no scriptural method. The reason is simple: Scripture contains no command, suggestion, or method for believers to seek or receive the baptism of the Spirit. You do not seek or ask for that which you already possess. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – 1 Corinthians) - PA

Vs. 6-7 Is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel - His answer points to a future, unknown time.

35Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. 36 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.… Matthew 24: 35-37

V. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you - In order for them to be His witnesses. There is a shocking contrast to their lives after this, from denying Christ to preaching boldly, from running to standing firm, from fear to an eye on the cross ahead. 

Vs. 9-11 In just the same way - A visible sign in the heavens. 

…29Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’ 30 At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.… Matthew 24: 29-31

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#1542 John 21 Part 2 When You Grow Old

 

15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” 19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, “Follow Me!”

Jesus’ Command to Follow Him

20 Peter, turning around, *saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 So Peter seeing him *said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” 23 Therefore this saying went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his witness is true.

25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written one after the other, I suppose that even the world itself *could not contain the books that *would be written. John 21: 15-25 LSB

John 21: 15-25

…33Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.” 34“Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “ this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.… Matthew 26: 33-35

Simon - Jesus had given him a different name long before this, Peter, Petra, the Rock, but Peter wasn't being a Rock, wasn't being the leader yet that God intended. He often relied on his own strength, his will, his ability and resolve, but this was being broken. 

31Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33“Lord,” said Peter, “I am ready to go with You even to prison and to death.”…

34But Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”… Luke 22: 31-34

21From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!” 23But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”… Matthew 16: 21-23

V. 15b Do you love Me more than these - More than what? He was supposed to be waiting patiently at the mountain where Jesus had sent him, but here he was, with his boat, his nets, his other gear, and so Jesus is asking, "do you love Me more than fishing, more than this life, more than the comforts of your old routine?" I think it's important to remember what happened very recently; he had denied the Lord three times, and that after boasting about his unwavering devotion. I have always been guilty of picturing myself upon certain pedestals, only telling the parts of stories that kept that image up, but leaving out the parts of my own denial. Every time I sin I express doubt, unbelief in what God has said to do or not to do. Every wave of anxiety I have embraced, every time I have said "if" to God, rather than "yes Sir", I have denied God His right over His creature. He is the Potter, not I, and so laugh at Peter all you want, but your probably only expressing how out of touch with your own self you are. His ego was bruised, and he was supposed to be a leader, and men naturally followed him, but here he was, wanting to take them where he thought he would look better, but they didn't catch anything until Jesus showed up. This is the kind of failure that one needs to be able to see themselves. It's also clear that it is God Who calls, God Who prepares the one He calls, and God Who keeps us. Peter didn't mind talking or giving orders, he was always the first one to talk. He did hate being patient, which is strange for a fisherman. It's like hurry up to get to the place where I can take a nap. He is lazy, yet boisterous at times, probably a brawler, obviously an egotist, but now he is stuck under the weight of so many failures. He can't even catch fish anymore.  

Vs. 15c -17 Tend My lambs...shepherd My sheep...tend My sheep...Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "do you love Me" - Thrice he denied so thrice he is asked. Remember, like many of us, Peter usually answers too quickly, but certainly this is sinking in. Often in doubting myself I have come to rely more on Christ. Jesus had called Peter a ways back, and told him he would now be a fisher of men, that was his call to the ministry, but since then Peter has seen some things that have shaken him. The earthly reign of Christ is further off than he had hoped, his own resolve had been tested and found wanting. He saw Jesus fix His face like a flint and walk to the cross unwavering, and Peter thought he wouldn't waver, thought he would be faithful to death, but instead he got to see a view of himself that he never would have believed. What a calling this is, and now he is starting understand gravity, the weight of that position, that it is not about his strength or cleverness. The world always tells you, "just believe in yourself", but he is being called through the lens of self doubt, and Jesus is tying to this whether or not Peter loves Him. He saw what Jesus was willing to do for His sheep, and honestly, it's just not in him, or me, or you, and it's breaking him.

12This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are My friends if you do what I command you.… John 15: 12-14

Vs. 18-19 And bring you where you do not wish to go - Jesus knows what's going on in Peter's head, and he makes it even more clearer to him. "Imagine what you don't want to do, and that is what in the end I am calling you to do." He was letting him know, yeah, you don't mind a fist fight down at the docks over who gets to park their boat here, that stuff doesn't scare you. You don't mind the good stuff, like walking into the kingdom right now, leading an army that is guaranteed a swift victory, "but if you follow Me then you are going to be a martyr, and I am telling you, follow Me." Democrats would never run a campaign like that, where's the free stuff? God offers us eternity and we pretend that we understand but then run back to our boats, our houses, our cars, our jobs, and try to squeeze as much out of this life as we can. Jesus is calling him to serve others, to lead them to the pastures of sound doctrine and the testimony of lives that are pleasing to God. It goes against everything in us, it's anti-American, it's forgetting to ask me what I want to do, what I like, or how I feel, it's so narrow.

iv. “Ancient writers state that, about thirty-four years after this, Peter was crucified; and that he deemed it so glorious a thing to die for Christ that he begged to be crucified with his head downwards, not considering himself worthy to die in the same posture in which his Lord did. So Eusebius, Prudentius, Chrysostom, and Augustin.” (Clarke)

v. “Jerome says, that ‘he was crowned with martyrdom under Nero, being crucified with his head downwards and his feet upwards, because he alleged himself to be unworthy of being crucified in the same manner as his Lord.’” (Alford)

Vs. 20 -22 What is that to you? You follow Me!!! - Peter understood the nature of the call now, and it isn't pretty. You may go to Ligoniers and think, "yeah, I want to be a preacher like that, esteemed by men like that, sound in my teaching, invited to question and answer sessions, sitting on a stage with men who are considered to be godly. I like wearing nice suits, having a fine library, traveling, going to dinner with dignitaries." Peter probably enjoyed the comradery, walking with Jesus, seeing miracles, the excitement, but Jesus is telling you to follow Him when He is no longer physically, visibly in front of you, and you are going to treated like He was, murdered. So what about my friend John there, the disciple you love, Mr. happy, is he going to be murdered too? What's it to you? Are you going to go into a rant now about fair and unfair? Is it going to somehow make you feel better when you are hanging from the cross?, "yeah, at least I know John is going to have to go through this too." There are preachers who have had long, incredible ministries by the world's standards, and there are some who gave their whole lives, were sickly, hungry, hated, penniless, and to top it all off, they never even saw a single convert through their ministry, yet they planted so much. They still brought glory to God, even in their hardship. God doesn't need Peter, and I think Peter is coming to that, and will grow in that knowledge. Don't worry about what God gives someone else, don't stress somebody else's talent, be happy for them, help them, sharpen each other along the way, but keep Christ as the focus. 

…29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must increase; I must decrease. 31The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all.… John 3: 29-31

V. 23 This disciple would not die - John clarifies this passage about himself because people are so quick to run with the wrong message. 

V. 25 Could not contain the books that would be written - The gospels tell us much, but Christ did so much more than what could ever be written down. It changed these men's lives, it proved them cowards and then remade them into bravest among us. It took their arrogance and exchanged it for servitude. They went from wanting war with others, to warring against their own sin. They went from disobedient to repentant, from weak in themselves to strong in the Spirit of God. Their witness has stretched across the ages, some unknown fishermen, a tax collector, a bunch of rednecks from Galilee, who would have thought?

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