Empowered to Witness - Acts 1 and 2

The source of all power is God. The use of all power is by God but often it is through man!! When we think about the power of mortal man as compared to the power of God, we realize that there is really no comparison. What is the most powerful thing in nature? A tornado? Cyclone? Earthquake? Or is it gravity that holds the earth in space? Or maybe the largest ocean, the Pacific? What would you choose as your answer? The sun?

What is the most powerful invention man has made? A bulldozer? A battle-ship? A cruise-ship fifteen stories tall with a small city including a park and swimming pool? Maybe the atomic bomb. Again, what would you choose?

Who was the most powerful man you ever met or even heard about? Some can pull an eighteen wheeler. Lift a thousand or more pounds. Bench press hundreds of pounds. Could it be one or more of the presidents? A dictator like the ones in Russia, China, or Hitler? Billy Graham? A Pope? These are mind-boggling questions that will not be answered in this class or lesson. Who would be your choice?

The book of Acts can and will introduce you to one that can out-accomplish any of these circumstances or fetes. His name is God the father, Jesus Christ the son, and the earthly presence of both of these, and the third part of the God Head, The Holy Spirit. They are Three in One. They are Three but One. They are all One and the Same. But they are both God and Man. They are in both heaven and on earth. The book of Acts attempts to help us understand the total power of the God Head; and it attempts to prove that mortal man can share in and actually use this super-natural power. It was possible and is demonstrated in the years AD 30 to AD 63 and it is still possible in 2008.

The apostles were selected by Christ and they chose to follow him on sea and land, in heat and cold, dry and wet, while hungry and with plenty, everywhere, whether accepted or rejected—for three long years. In our minds it would appear that strong commitment like this would have never been broken. But the bond was broken on that fateful night when all of them left the garden—all went home except Peter and he soon denied that he even knew the Man. It is clear that they lacked the POWER to remain loyal to Jesus, much less to become witnesses to others as to who He really was. Both his life and death seemed to have been for naught. They left Him as God had planned because it was absolutely necessary for Jesus Christ to bear the cross alone and with no support from anyone.
He was raised from the dead and things begin to change. Most of his followers were joyfully happy and they began to show it—but some were reluctant, bewildered, and even doubtful. Why? They still had not actually received His power. They were still operating on the strength of man and not the Holy Spirit. Their faith had grow to the point that they did stop and listen as he told them that he would go back into heaven, but that He would send One [The Holy Spirit] that would empower them to carry out the commission that He gave them to do. We know that this group of followers was gathered in the upper room when the Spirit arrived as a mighty rushing wind and filled the place in such a miraculous way that it transformed His week followers into mighty heroes for Christ. All of the apostles and many others were now so convinced that they willingly martyred their lives for the cause of Christ. This event is known as the Day of Pentecost.

Luke began writing the book of Acts by describing the events occurring just before and during the Day of Pentecost. He was empowered by the same Spirit that he describes in his writings. The truths declared in this book have a direct application to those of us who are studying it. Have faith. Believe. Slowly read and study the first two chapters along with the comments given below which start with Chapter 1, verse 1.

Addressing Theophilus [a Greek who was “a friend of God”] he wrote to all posterity and told us that he wrote a former book [“Luke”] that told about the things that Jesus did and taught while still on earth—before His ascension. Therefore, it becomes clear that the book of Acts begins where his gospel left off. In the gospel he reported on the actions of the apostles and the work of the Holy Spirit, beginning in Jerusalem, the church was established and it grew rapidly, and then faced intense persecution. This drove the believers out into the surrounding areas—and through this dispersion [not just the Jews] but also the Samaritans and Gentiles were now able to hear the Good News and believe.

V1-5. After his suffering means after the Cross. He was personally seen and heard by hundreds of witnesses as he proved that He was the same Christ that died and was buried and arose on the third day. He lived among them for forty days in the normal way, walking, sleeping, talking, and eating the same food they ate. One day while eating, he told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the gift [which was the Holy Spirit] that God had promised. They would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. They believed and continued to meet and pray for their success in carrying out his commission.

The Holy Spirit had been with them three years—but they still did not fully understand and had not recognized Him at this time. How do we know? Had they already understood, they would not have asked him if He was going to restore the kingdom to Israel? Even now, they are still expecting an earthly king to set up his rule in Jerusalem. However, they had changed drastically. Before the Cross, they had argued with each other, deserted the Lord, and Peter had lied and denied even knowing Him. After the 40 days and his ascension they are changed witnesses, and believed the Holy Spirit would come and give them the power they needed to sustain their witness even against their oppressors. Listen, and grasp this thought. By studying God’s word we too can sit with the resurrected Lord in his special school of discipleship. By believing in Him we can receive the same power through the Holy Spirit that the apostles received; and by joining with other believers in the church we can do the same kind of work on earth that they did.

Dear Christian friends, this is not a hear-say gospel. The apostles [and hundreds of others] were eyewitness—they saw with their eyes and heard with their ears what was done and said—not on just one day—but from the garden to the Cross, to the grave, and for 40 more days in their homes, along the seashore even at their own tables as they ate together. If you were seated on a jury and asked to decide whether or not Jesus was who he said he was—would this be enough proof for you to make a positive decision? To any person who still does not believe in Christ I ask you—“How much more proof do you need? Could it be that you are making a mistake???

Before the death and resurrection these men were disillusioned, scared, feared for their life,
After meeting and seeing and talking with the resurrected Christ and watching as he was caught up into heaven they feared no man and risk their life every day as they spread the Good News. They faced imprisonment, beatings, rejection and martyrdom but not a single one fell away. No one can convince me that these men would have given their lives for a man or a cause that they thought was a fraud. We must have confidence in their testimony. Jesus explained that at his birth, the Kingdom of God was inaugurated; and when he returned to heaven his Kingdom would remain in the hearts of born again believers through the presence of Holy Spirit. Realize now that believers are just sinners saved by grace—they are not yet perfect. Therefore His kingdom cannot be fully realized until he comes again and judges man and removes all evil from this world. Only then can his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

6. The disciples inquired about the earthly kingdom with headquarters in Jerusalem, which they were expecting soon. However, Jesus answered them about his kingdom on earth after his second coming. This really is two different thoughts…they inquired about an earthly kingdom…he answered about his heavenly kingdom, and told them it was not for them to know when it would be. I literally feel sorry for all the different demigods that have claimed to know the day of his coming. God only has that information. After he answered them they went to the Mount of Olives where he was taken up into heaven and they watched Him with their own eyes…go out of sight as he was hidden from them by a cloud. With their own eyes, they saw two men [angels] dressed in white who told them that He would come again just as they had seen him go…with their own ears they heard the voice. Based on what I have read there were at least 17 of these witnesses and there may have been as many as 120 present. How many eyewitnesses do you need in order to believe?

12. They returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. How many were in the group?
There were the eleven disciples, the women and Mary, and His three brothers. This had to be at least 17 people because “women” is plural and had to be two or more. So at least 17 people had witnessed the ascension of Jesus and were now gathered upstairs in the room. When Peter started talking to them about choosing a replacement for Judas, the book says there were 120 present, and though the book is not clear, I believe that the total number was 120 all along through his departure and in the upper room.

Peter reminded them that David in the Psalms had directed them to choose a replacement for Judas who had sold his soul for thirty pieces of silver. As was the Jewish custom they chose two men who had been with them since the beginning of their walk with Christ {he too had to be an eyewitness to all that had transpired} and then they prayed that when they cast lots that God would let his choice be the one to win the appointment. Cast lots? Yes! But God chose Matthias as the replacement. He was added to the eleven and now there are twelve witnessing disciples again. On my second thought, we know that Matthias was also at the ascension—so that means that the minimum had to be 18 and not 17.

2:1 Pentecost came, 120 or more were together in one place, and The Holy Spirit came upon them as a mighty rushing wind. It was a violent wind, like, maybe a tornado. It got their attention. Since some, including Thomas and The Lord’s three brothers had found it hard to believe that He was the Messiah—some or all of the 120 were totally and forever saved in that upper room. They received the Holy Spirit that day. And when we are saved we immediately receive the Holy Spirit who gives us the power to be the sons of God.

This miraculous event fulfilled the prophesy of John the Baptist who said the Holy Spirit would baptize with fire [Luke 3: 16] and the prophesy of Joel who predicted the out pouring of the Holy Spirit [2: 28-9]. The word “tongues” represents or symbolizes the spoken word [speech] and the explanation of the gospel in words that all could understand. The word “fire” indicates that God’s purifying presence which burns away any impurities in the lives of believers was present. On Mt. Sinai God used “fire” [his presence] to emphatically establish His Law [Exodus 19: 16]. In Acts He proclaimed the work of the Holy Spirit’s ministry using “fire” which represented His presence. At Sinai the fire came down on a place…At Pentecost the fire or [presence of God] came to dwell in the people who were gathered in the room. It fell on them. The power of the Holy Spirit entered them. The same thing happened to you the moment you repented and trusted Christ as Savior.
There were people present at Pentecost and in Jerusalem that were from many nations, and they spoke different languages and could not understand each other. The fire fell on the on the tongues of those gathered in the upper room and immediately they and all those in Jerusalem could understand what was happening in their own language. Luke lists a great number of countries from which these people had come just to emphasize that God is no respecter of certain people, but his word is available to all that will believe. Try to imagine the immediate spread of the gospel as many of these people who were present then returned to their own country and began to witness to their people about what they has seen and heard as a result of the Pentecost experience and the sermon that Peter preached there which resulted in the immediate salvation of 3000 people. No wonder the early church grew so rapidly. And it is no wonder that the strong Jewish opposition began to organize against this new Christian movement.

V 13-40. These verses contain the sermon that Peter preached at Pentecost. Space and time prevents a verse by verse analysis of the sermon. You must read it slowly and carefully; you will find most of it is self explained. Don’t miss the fact that all nations are included in God’s plan and both women and man. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Every person, past, present and future has or will commit sin. The price that must be paid for sin is death. Christ gave his life to pay for our sins—therefore, each and every person had a hand in the crucifixion of Jesus. That means you and me! How do you feel about this?

When these people heard Peter tell them what they had done—they were heart broken and they asked Peter what they could do. His answer is the heart of the Gospel. No message has ever been given that is more important. He told them and every person on earth what they must do. Do you want to spend eternity in hell separated from God? No. No. No. Do you want to be forgiven of your sins and spend eternity in Heaven with God? Yesssss. Then here is what you MUST DO. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.