Acts Chapter 1 & 2

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

Theme scriptures

Prophecy

“But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you, and you will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, in all Ju·deʹa and Sa·marʹi·a, and to the most distant part of the earth.” The last words Jesus spoke before ascending to heaven.  Acts 1:8 (NWT) [italics by author]

Fulfillment

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1-4 (NIV) [italics by author]

What happens in Chapter One?

After just three and a half years of constant companionship with their Lord, Jesus the Christ HE dies. Then resurrected. Now it is time for Jesus to ascend to heaven. We cannot likely imagine the since of loss they felt at Jesus’ death then followed by absolute joy at his resurrection and subsequent leadership and companionship. But, after just a few weeks after HIS resurrection it is now time in Chapter One of Acts to say goodbye to Jesus, their LORD, yet again. It is unthinkable to lose a dear friend, a mentor, a wonderful teacher and counselor the first time but to have to say it again? Yet, Jesus understood their emotional state and assured them they would not be alone. He directs them to proceed to Jerusalem and remain there to receive the gift the FATHER had promised -- being baptized with the Holy Spirit. It is not the first time they heard about this Holy Spirit being given them as a helper after Jesus was gone. HE said to them earlier in HIS ministry: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 [NIV]

Secondarily in this chapter the replacement for Judas Iscariot is chosen. It is Matthias.

What happens in Chapter Two?

As noted above, in verse 4 of chapter two the Holy Spirit arrives in what is described as a blowing of violent wind from heaven filling the whole house where the 120 souls – including the Apostles – were sitting. They saw tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of the persons. Thereafter, the Holy Spirit enabled them to speak in other tongues.

One of the biggest discipling speeches given by a disciple of Jesus begins at verse 14 and continues through the end of the chapter. If ever you wanted a place to mark in your Bible to see how to address people who do not know Jesus or who need a bit of confusion cleared up with gospel this would be one of those places. In Acts, the other places would be the testimony Stephen gave before his assassination Acts 7 and Paul gave later in Acts 26. Each presented their faith as they held it in their hearts and spirit yet the common thread through each of the three speeches is the full gospel. Also, each delivered their faith boldly.

Next chapter discussed will be chapter 3.

Please read and ponder upon the events in Chapters One and Two. †

©Lightwritingmatters 2015