Atos 1
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 1
Wiersbe explains that "Faith in His resurrection was important to the church because their own spiritual power depended on it. Also, the message of the Gospel involves the truth of the Resurrection (Rom. 10:9–10; 1 Cor. 15:1–8); and, if Jesus were dead, the church would be speechless. Finally, the official Jewish position was that the disciples had stolen Jesus’ body from the tomb (Matt. 28:11–15), and the believers had to be able to refute this as they witnessed to the nation....By their words, their walk, and their mighty works, the believers told the world that Jesus was alive. This was “the sign of Jonah” that Jesus had promised to the nation (Matt. 12:38–41)—His death, burial, and resurrection." (Bible Exposition Commentary) After His suffering - His suffering is a synonym for the Crucifixion of Christ, His passion ("passion" is from Latin: passionem suffering, enduring) being a repeated emphasis in the book of Acts. In Acts 3:18 Luke wrote "“But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer (pascho), He has thus fulfilled." Luke uses pascho again in Acts 17:3-+ where Paul addressing the Thessalonian Jews was "explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer (pascho) and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” Luke uses the derivative adjective pathetos in Acts 26:23 writing " that the Christ was to suffer (pathetos from pascho), and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” Suffering (3958)(pascho) means to undergo something; to experience an impression from an outside source, to undergo an experience (usually difficult) and normally with the implication of physical and mental suffering as in this case. Pascho is used some 16 times (out of 39) to refer to the passion of Christ (Mt. 16:21; Mt. 17:12; Mk. 8:31; Mk. 9:12; Lk. 9:22; Lk. 17:25; Lk. 22:15; Lk. 24:26; Lk. 24:46; Acts 1:3; Acts 3:18; Acts 17:3; Heb. 2:18; Heb. 5:8; Heb. 9:26; Heb. 13:12). One recalls the plaintive cry of our Lord Jesus Christ which give us only a faint glimpse of His incredible suffering -- "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?" (Mt 27:46). By many convincing proofs - Not just a few but MANY convincing proofs, which as noted below was used in the Greek world in a legal context as "proof from which there was no getting away, an indication which is irrefutable and indisputable." Peter and the other apostles and more than 500 witnesses had first hand evidence that Jesus was truly alive and this evidence was not open to question (oh yes, skeptics could "question" it but what the witnesses witnessed was not in doubt). In the Old Testament one only needed two witnesses to support an accusation but God goes way beyond that requirement when it comes to substantiating the veracity and validity of the Resurrection of Jesus. To wit, Jesus is Alive! This would embolden the apostles to be fearless in testifying that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, a belief that historical records say resulted in almost all of them being martyred. As John
Atos 1
Wiersbe - Jesus did not rebuke them when they “kept asking” about the future Jewish kingdom (Acts 1:7). After all, He had opened their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:44), so they knew what they were asking. John McLean has a well done discussion answering the question "Did Jesus Correct the Disciples’ View of the Kingdom?" (Bibliotheca Sacra - 151, April, 1994). The interested reader is directed to that article for McLean's in depth answer (to read the full article does require a small fee of $5/month). Here is McClean's conclusion - Throughout the Gospels Jesus corrected the disciples’ and others’ false ideas on a number of occasions. But He did not correct the disciples in Acts 1:6–8; therefore it must be concluded that their perception of a future kingdom was correct. The disciples’ conceived of a future national kingdom for ethnic Israel in which they will reign with Christ. This restoration was shaped by the writings of the Old Testament Law and the Prophets, which anticipated a fulfillment of the Davidic kingdom that will be literal, political, geographical, and national. Peter’s sermon in Acts 3:12–26+ evidences his continued belief that this national kingdom would be restored. Therefore believers should anticipate not only the second coming of Jesus Christ but also His establishment of a future kingdom for the nation Israel. McLean adds that "Even Lenski, (EXCELLENT LUTHERAN COMMENTATOR) who does not accept a future for national Israel, maintains that the disciples thought of a glorious earthly rule for Israel, the Jewish people, through Jesus, the Messiah, when He would return." Here is Lenski's statement... The fact that the kingdom is, indeed, to be restored to Israel is taken for granted. The scepter had, indeed, sadly departed from Judah—would it now be restored in Shiloh, in Jesus? Luke 24:21: “But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel.” There is a difficulty to determine exactly what the apostles had in mind when they asked this question. We venture to say that they thought of a glorious earthly rule for Israel, the Jewish people, through Jesus, the Messiah, who would soon return in his Parousia. It is interesting that Bob Utley who likewise does not accept a future for national Israel makes a similar statement regarding the apostles' question writing that "The OT prophets predict a restoration of a Jewish kingdom in Palestine centered in Jerusalem where all the nations of the earth gather to praise and serve a Davidic ruler." (Utley's remarks - Roman numeral I, letter E) This is an amazing "admission" of the truth of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the nation of Israel by a writer who firmly disavows any future for the nation! As discussed below Utley bases his conclusion on his understanding of progressive revelation (which I think is clearly flawed). Lange (a German theologian in the 1800's) commented on the Kingdom - The kingdom which is the object of their hope, is a kingdom of Israel, a theocratic kingdom, deriving its existence and reality from the Messiah, and intended to give liberty, greatness and dominion to the people of Israel, who were at the time oppressed by a heavy yoke. The apostles believe that they are almost authorized by the words now pronounced by the Lord, to hope for an early restoration of this kingdom. (Comment: So here is a writer who is not a "dispensationalist" who reads the text literally and interprets the apostles' question as referring to a kingdom in which literal Israel would be the head nation. A far cry from modern replacement theologians who are forced to allegorize or spiritualize numerous passages related to the nation of Israel.) Related Resource: Background on Mystery of the Kingdom and how it relates to Israel's Rejection of Her King and the future return of the King and establishment of His Visible, External Kingdom - This topic can be confusing, but John MacArthur gives a simple, but excellent explanation of the "mystery phase" of the Kingdom of Heaven/God. It will help you understand Peter's offer to the Jews of "the times of refreshing" (Acts 3:19+) and "the period of restoration" (Acts 3:21+).. If you have been taught that God is finished with the nation of Israel then you need to study these passages and like a Berean see whether you think John MacArthur is correct in his assessment! Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel? - They are asking if this was the time the kingdom would be restored to its former state. Notice that these Jews expected a literal kingdom and now that Jesus had been resurrected they undoubtedly anticipated that He would now establish His reign as prophesied in the OT (cf Jer 23:5-6). There question reminds me of a similar question in Mt 24:3 "As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”" That question was followed by Jesus' Olivet Discourse! As Jesus was leaving Jericho for His final 17 mile, 6 hour journey to Jerusalem, He taught the disciples and all of those following Him a parable. He introduces the parable by explaining the reason for this particular parable at this particular time... While they were listening to these things (MESSIAH'S MISSION = Lk 19:10+ and Lk 19:1-9), Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they (THE JEWS) supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. (Lk 19:11+) Comment: Beloved, could it be stated any clearer? The Jews were looking expectantly for Jesus to be the true Messiah, the One Who the OT had predicted would come and establish His Kingdom on earth and restore Israel to global prominence. (For more discussion on the Kingdom of God which the Jews were expecting see commentary on Luke 19:11ff+). Lord (master, owner)(2962)(kurios from kuros = might or power, related to kuroo = to give authority) primarily means the possessor, owner, master, the supreme one, one who is sovereign (used this way of Roman emperors - Act 25:26) and possesses absolute authority, absolute ownership and uncontested power. Kurios is used of the one to whom a person or thing belonged, over which he has the power of deciding, the one who is the master or disposer of a thing (Mk 7:28) The NT authors used KURIOS to describe the full deity of Christ (cf Ro 10:9-13-+).
Atos 1
Wiersbe - “Witness” is a key word in the Book of Acts and is used twenty-nine times as either a verb or a noun. We hear a great deal these days about “soul winning,” and the emphasis is a good one. However, while some of God’s people have a calling to evangelism (Eph. 4:11), all of God’s people are expected to be witnesses and tell the lost about the Saviour. Not every Christian can bring a sinner to the place of faith and decision (though most of us could do better), but every Christian can bear faithful witness to the Saviour. W H Griffith-Thomas on witnesses -They were now to be witnesses, and their definite work was to bear testimony to their Master; they were not to be theologians, or philosophers, or leaders, but witnesses. Whatever else they might become, everything was to be subordinate to the idea of personal testimony. It was to call attention to what they knew of Him and to deliver His message to mankind. This special class of people, namely, disciples who are also witnesses, is therefore very prominent in this book. Page after page is occupied by their testimony, and the key to this feature is found in the words of Peter: ‘We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard’ (Acts 4:20)..(The Acts of the Apostles) My witnesses - There are two possible meanings -- The first sense is witnesses about Jesus (objective genitive) giving testimony of His life, death and resurrection. The second sense is witnesses of Jesus (possessive genitive) as those who belong to Him and are His feet on the ground so to speak. Luke 24:44-48 (cp also Acts 4:33 and Acts 10:42) would tend to favor that the intended meaning is witnesses who help establish the truthfulness of Jesus life, death, burial and resurrection by testifying firsthand about Him (even to the point of death, our English word martyr) . Now He said to them (to His apostles), "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance (Jesus directly refutes those in the modern church who say you do not need to preach repentance! cp Mk 1:15, Peter in Acts 2:38) for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem (cp Acts 1:8). 48 "You are witnesses of these things. 49 "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:44-48) A T
Atos 1
Wiersbe: Angels play an important role in the ministry described in Acts, just as they do today, even though we cannot see them (see Acts 5:19-20; 8:26; 10:3-7; 12:7-10, 23; 27:23). Hebrews 1:14-+ Are they (ANGELS) not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
Atos 1
Wiersbe commented on the gathered believers in Acts 1 and Acts 2 quipping that the gathering of the believers of Acts 1 could be called "“The Church of the Closed Door.” The description is that of the average church today: enjoying fellowship, praying, searching the Scriptures, and electing officers. But when the Holy Spirit filled the believers on the Day of Pentecost, the doors were opened and God’s church began to impact the city and the world. To see the difference the Holy Spirit makes when he empowers God’s people, compare Acts 1:12–26 with Acts 2:42–47. (Dynamics of Preaching) Paul Apple aptly comments on the unhesitating obedience of the apostles - Submitting to God’s agenda and timetable for your life will end up being a strategic place for the ministry that God has customized for you. The mount called Olivet (Mount of Olives, some modern pictures) - This mountain is really more like a hill that lies across the Kidron Valley to the east of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount area. The Mount of Olives is about 2,710 ft elevation (some 400 feet above the Kidron Valley) and so is about 280 feet higher than the Temple Mount (elevation = 2,430 ft) and about 226 feet above the city of Jerusalem (2,474 ft), so it overlooks both the city and the Temple complex. When Luke described the ascension from Bethany in the Gospel (Lk 24:50-51-+) and here from the mount called Olivet, there is no discrepancy if the ascension was from the backside of the Mount, near but not actually in the little village of Bethany which is near the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Utley on mount called Olivet - This seems to contradict Luke 24:50-+ (i.e. Bethany); however, compare Luke 19:29-+ and Lk 21:37-+ with Mark 11:11–12 and 14:3. The ridge known as the Mt. of Olives was a 2.5 mile ridge about 300–400 feet above Jerusalem that ran from Bethany opposite the Kidron Valley, across from the Temple. Returned (5290) (hupostrepho from hupo = under + strepho = to turn, to change) means to turn back from or to return (go back to a location). One wonders if the description of the departure of the Shekinah glory cloud of the LORD in Ezekiel went through the minds of the apostles as they returned to Jerusalem. Recall that the Mount of Olives was the place from which the had departed from Solomon's Temple prior to the destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar. Then the cherubim lifted up their wings with the wheels beside them, and the (Shekinah) glory of the God of Israel hovered over them. 23 The (Shekinah) glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city and stood over the mountain which is east of the city (MOUNT OF OLIVES). (Ezekiel 11:22-23. Comment: See diagram describing the progressive departure of the glory of the LORD. So here again the glory is leaving from the Mount of Olives. But this time the two men reassure that the glory of the Lord will return to the Mount of Olives and to His Temple in Jerusalem (See God's Plan for Jerusalem). It is interesting to note the parallels between the departure of the glory in Ezekiel followed by destruction of Solomon's Temple in 586 BC and the departure of the glory (cf 1 Ti 3:16) of Jesus followed by the destruction of Herod's Temple in 70 AD by the Romans, both being a manifestation of the so-called "Times of the Gentiles," (Lk 21:24-+). Anderson adds "The apostles had asked if He would restore the kingdom, but Calvary represented the rejection of that kingdom by the people, and thus once again God's glory in Christ was departing from the mountain on the east of the city." Anderson - Three times the NT records that the Lord shed tears, each time on the mount of Olives. It was there that He wept over Jerusalem as He passed over the top of the mount to descend for His last Passover, and gazed down upon the city lying at His feet (Luke 19:41-+). It was on its eastern slopes that Bethany was situated, and in a tomb outside that village Lazarus was buried, and "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). On the western slopes there was a garden, the garden of Gethsemane in which He "offered up ... strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death" (Heb 5:7). But the place of His tears became the place of His triumph; from the place where three times He shed tears, He was taken up into heaven. (What the Bible teaches - Acts) In his Gospel Luke records the reaction of the apostles to Jesus' ascension and the promise of His future return "And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy." (Lk 24:52-+). Their Master and Friend departs and yet paradoxically they are filled with joy, even great (mega) joy! Why? How? Clearly their joy was a reflection of the fruit of the Spirit (even though they were not yet filled with His presence) Who gives joy (Gal 5:22-+). But also their joy had a firm foundation of truth, truth that Jesus would return, that they would see Him again some day. In short they had joy because they had hope, hope not like the world's "hope so," but divine hope, a "hope sure." And their great hope is every believer's great hope, regardless of how "hopeless" their current circumstances are! This interrelationship of joy, hope and the Spirit reminds me of Paul's wonderful prayer in Romans Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Ro 15:13-+) A Sabbath's day journey away - A Sabbath day’s journey would have been the maximum distance a person could travel on the Sabbath without being "guilty" of performing work on the Sabbath which was to be a day of rest. Luke is not saying the Ascension was on the Sabbath but is only using this term which equated with about 2000 cubits (cf Josh 3:4), and which is about one-half to three-quarters of a mile. Paul Apple summarizes the application of Acts 1;9-12 to the apostles and to us - (1) Commanded to wait for empowerment – Holy Spirit power is key (2) Corrected regarding nature and focus of our mission – Worldwide evangelism (3) Communicated urgency and ultimate success – Get busy; Jesus is coming back! Cornerstone Bible Commentary on a Sabbath's day journey - This was two thousand cubit....The rabbis ingeniously calculated this distance by interpreting Exodus 16:29 in the light of Numbers 35:5. Josephus placed the Mount of Olives at five or six stadia (960–1,152 meters, a stadion is 192 meters; Antiquities 20.169; War 5.70) from Jerusalem. John
Atos 1
Wiersbe says the phrase with one accord " is a wonderful little statement. You find it at least six times in the Book of the Acts. In Acts 1:14, they were in one accord in supplication. Acts 2:1 says, "When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.? Here they were in one accord in anticipation. Acts 2:46 says, "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their food with gladness and singleness of heart.? Here the church was in one accord in continuation - 'they continued together in serving the Lord. In Acts 4:24 we have the local church in prayer: "And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God.? They were in one accord in adoration, worshiping and praising God and praying. In Acts 2:43 we read: "And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch).? They were in one accord in their association; no divisions, no backbiting, no criticizing. Acts 15:25 contains another reference to "one accord?: "It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.? They were in one accord in their determination. (Something Happens When Churches Pray -- Listen to a related 24 minute audio on this vital topic.) Godet eloquently explains that "When one common aspiration reigns in the church, secondary diversities no longer separate hearts; and from the internal communion there results common adoration like pure harmony from a concert of well-tuned instruments. All hearts being melted in one, all mouths become only one. And how so? Because one Being only appears henceforth to all as worthy of being glorified." (The Epistle of St Paul to the Romans) David
Atos 1
Wiersbe - When the apostle James was martyred, he was not replaced (Acts 12). Why? Because the official witness to Israel was now completed, and the message was going out to Jews and Gentiles alike. There was no more need for twelve apostles to give witness to the twelve tribes of Israel. Acts 1:21 "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- KJV Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time Luke 10:1,2; John 15:27 that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us Numbers 27:17; Deuteronomy 31:2; 2 Samuel 5:2; 1 Kings 3:7; John 10:1-9 Acts Video - Matthias Chosen Acts 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Acts 1:12-26 Why Christianity is Credible - Steven Cole Acts 1:12-26 Resources for Finishing Our Lord's Unfinished Work--3 - John MacArthur Acts 1:21-26 Tough Decisions with God's Help - Ray Pritchard THE REQUIREMENTS FOR JUDAS' SUCCESSOR Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time - Peter based this declaration of purpose on his interpretation of the Scripture (see Acts 1:20 +). While they did not yet have the outpouring of the Spirit for His internal guidance, they had the "compass" of the Word of Truth to steer them correctly. This is a good reminder to all of us to stick close to the Bible (and prayer) in making significant life decisions and we of course do have the advantage that the Spirit of Truth now indwells us (Jn 16:13). Guzik gives a good qualifying reminder that "even if we do sense a special guidance from the Holy Spirit, we still have God’s voice permanently established in His Word. Any perceived guidance from the Holy Spirit will never disobey God’s written Word to us."(Acts 1 Commentary) Paul Apple - Key Question: Why was it “necessary”? This solves the whole issue “therefore” – look in the previous context to see what it is there for = points back to fulfillment of specific prophecy – application to Judas being made by the Holy Spirit