THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
INTRODUCTION
&
Chapter One

Luke wrote a type of history, history from the viewpoint of a believer who lived through part of that history, talked with some who made the rest of it, and researched what else was available. He wrote to spread that knowledge, first to some guy named Theophilus, then to whoever else might read it. I doubt he expected millions over hundreds of years.

The book tells the story of the gospel and church moving from Jerusalem to Rome, overcoming obstacles along the way. In fact, an SBC seminary professor, Frank Stagg, thinks the theme of the book is overcoming obstacles. The book ends suddenly with the word “unhindered.” Scholars have debated whether that was intentional or whether Luke intended to add more. Stagg believes Luke was proclaiming the victory of the gospel being proclaimed freely in Rome at the heart of the Empire that ruled the world.

The book ends around 62 a.d. We know its writing must have been later, but we're not sure when. I personally prefer dating soon after that, but some scholars put it much later. I recently read a piece by a guy who thinks all the gospels were written after the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the temple in 70 a.d. He (and quite a few others) believe the scattering of the Jews and their total depression over such a massive loss inspired the authors to set the story down so it could be carried everywhere. But neither the gospels nor Acts mentions the destruction of the temple, and I find it hard to believe it would not have been included somehow. Some thing the “little apocalypse” in Mark 13 and the parallels refer to it, setting history as prophesy. These writers don't think Jesus was likely to foresee it, but there had been enough going on for any astute observer to predict something was going to happen, much less one with divine insight.

The book begins where the gospels end. Jesus gives His missionary charge to the Twelve and ascends to heaven. Acts then follows His outline: beginning in Jerusalem, all Judea, and the uttermost part of the earth. The first 12 chapters focus on the 12 and the 7. Peter, John, Philip, and Stephen are the principles. Then Paul begins his missionary trips, and the remainder of the book relates his adventures. Those include three missionary journeys, or four if you count the trip to Rome under arrest.
Now let's look at chapter one.

Luke begins by addressing Theophilus, which means “friend of God.” Was that his actual name, or a sobriquet the writer gave him. Or did he possibly mean any follower of Christ? He referred to his previous gospel about Jesus's life, saying it was about what he BEGAN to do an teach while physically here on earth. Luke felt sure Jesus was continuing to act and teach through his followers.

Jesus had remained on earth forty days after His crucifixion. During that time He proved the reality of His resurrection by repeated appearances to those who knew Him. Paul has gathered several of those occasions in the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians.

Finally, He told the 12 not to leave Jerusalem until they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. I once knew some men who formed a weekly witnessing group. They focused on prayer, including specific other men they felt were not Christians. They had a unique rule I have not heard of elsewhere. They would go see no one until their prayers led them to a conviction that the Holy Spirit was directing them to talk with that guy. They said they were able to lead quite a few men to become believers that way. Jesus said wait. And waiting can be hard.

Jesus laid out a specific direction for them. Start where they were. There in Jerusalem. Our International Mission Board does not appoint foreign missionaries until they have had satisfactory experience here in the US. If you can't function in your own culture, how can you operate in a strange land, language, and culture. Begin at home.

Expand from there. Judea might be compared to our state and state missions. Samaria could be compared to “home” missions in this country. And the uttermost part is exactly that. Christianity is a missionary religion. This younger generation of Christians – the same one seniors gripe about being superficial in their music – are much more involved in mission activities than we were. My church sends older children, youth, and college students to various mission trips every year. Adult missions both have gone to the Northeast states, Macedonia, and nations in the Gulf of Mexico.

At that point, Jesus ascended to heaven, and the disciples immediately rushed out to fulfill his commands! THEY DID NOT! They stood there with their mouths open and might be there yet, except the Lord sent a couple of angels to ask them, “How come you guys are standing their gawking into the sky? Didn't you hear the man? He'll be back one day. Meanwhile, get with the program!”

Does that speech fit you? Are you constantly praying and studying and bustling about this and that, but you never get with the program God has laid out for you? We are all indeed guilty from time to time and need to be reminded. So let's do it!

Moving right along, notice that there are 120 people, give or take, making up this larger group of disciples. It includes 11 of the original 12, minus Judas, and other believers including “the women.” Occasionally in the gospels we get a glimpse of a group of women among Jesus's followers. In Luke's Gospel 8:3, he says the women supported Him and His work. Three women are named, but there must have been more. One writer suggested the wives of the Twelve may have travelled with them. We know from Paul's comment (I Cor 9) that Peter's wife did, so perhaps she and others were part of the 120.

From this group a steady prayer meeting evolved, involving daily temple worship and some common gathering place, perhaps the upper room of the last supper. At any rate, one day Peter stood up and said, “I've been thinking. We are called “The Twelve,” but we are now only 11. What about choosing a replacement? He would need to be someone who has been in the crowd all along, so he can testify to what Jesus said and did and to his resurrection just as we can.” They agreed and devoted themselves to prayer. (These dudes prayed about every thing! Think that could teach us something?) Finally, under the leadership of the Spirit, they picked out two candidates and “cast lots,” believing the Lord would influence the choice. We're not exactly sure how that worked. It could have been a couple of rocks of two colors, pitched out with the one falling furthest the winner. Anyhow, it was the equivalent of flipping a coin. Not chance, but God made the difference. They set out Joe and Matt, and Matt won. We never hear of either again! I bet they both have great stories to tell.

In fact prayer and the Holy Spirit are so heavily involved throughout the Book of Acts, that many have thought it should be named The Acts of the Holy Spirit. How involved is the Spirit in your life?