Acts 1: Highlights & Discussion

HIGHLIGHTS:

*I used my Andrews Study Bible and the SDA Bible Commentary (vol. 6) for this study. Acts 1:1-26 opens with four scenes (first three replaying Luke 24:1-53)

Introduction is found in vs. 1-5
The ascension of Jesus found in vs. 6-11
Prayer meeting in the upper room found in vs 12-14
The selection of Matthias, to replace Judas Iscariot found in vs. 15-26

That's the basic outline of Acts chapter 1, there are a few verses or passages that most are familiar with or I should say there are familiar passages that are often quoted from this chapter. Two of them being (1) Acts 1:8 and (2) Acts 1:13-14.

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

If you've been to outreach seminars or attended evangelism courses, undoubtedly, you have come across this verse. This model of outreach that Jesus instructed the disciples to follow is logical and effective. First, witness to those nearest (in distance) to you and then extend to the next region, and the next, and eventually to the rest of the world. The disciples are in Jerusalem (Acts 1:12) and that's why Jesus started with Jerusalem. If you look at a map (often found in the back of your Bibles, in my Andrews study Bible it's Map 12), you will see that Judea is a little further away from Jerusalem, and Samaria much further north, etc. You get the point. This is one verse that I try to remember and implement because it is so practical in our Christian journey. Sometimes, we want to go to Papua New Guinea or the Masai Mara to share the Gospel but there are those in our own town or city who need to hear the Gospel first. Alright, moving on to another familiar passage which is found in Acts 1:13-14.

"And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary the mother Jesus, and with His brothers." (Acts 1:13-14)

The upper room experience. The early church united in prayer first before going out on its mission. It is often used in prayer meetings or prayer conventions. Here is another very practical example from the early church. This example of prayer before action is crucial, but it is one that may be easily overlooked or easily neglected. The upper room experience is one that should be experienced not once a year but rather every time a mission is presented, or even more! There is power when we are all in one accord in prayer and supplication and that power is from none other than the promised Holy Spirit that Jesus spoke about in Acts 1:8.

DISCUSSION:

I often wonder what is the significance of "casting lots." I am referring to Acts 1:26, when the disciples cast their lots to see who will take the place of Judas Iscariot. Isn't this gambling? Leaving it up to chance?

"And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles."(Acts 1:26)

The practice of casting lots - throwing down small stones or pieces of wood. In the Old Testament it has been recorded many times. In the SDA Commentary (pg. 131, vol. 6), it's mentioned that "the Jews were well acquainted with the lot as a standard OT method of decision..." Examples such as choosing the goats in the Hebrew Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:5-10); setting criminal cases where they was uncertainty (Joshua 7:14, 18); soldiers cast lots on Calvary for the Lord's garment (Matt. 27: 35). These are just a few to name, but the practice of casting lots is in the Scripture.

Should we be "casting lots" when we have to make a decision?

What about Proverbs 16:33?

"The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord."