Acts 1
COMMENTARY:
: 3 To whom also HE showed HIMSELF alive after HIS passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. (5039 “infallible proofs” [tekmerion] means that from which something is surely and plainly known, on indubitable evidence, convincing proof, any extremely convincing, factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something, decisive, or token.)
DEVOTION: Jesus didn’t ascend into heaven until HE had appeared many times to the disciples and others. HE wanted there to be enough witnesses to HIS resurrection, so that, in time there would be no doubt as to what happened. The Bible gives us a record that many today want to question. It is because they don’t want to be followers of the LORD to the point that it changes their life and thinking.
We live in a generation that doesn’t want any authority telling them what to do. They don’t want anyone to interfere with their fun. They don’t want anyone to set a standard that they are supposed to obey.
There are two kingdoms in our world. The kingdom of God which includes all those who are living a changed life that will honor the LORD through witnessing and showing people what Christianity is really about. The second kingdom is represented by all those whose father is the devil. He wants nothing to do with the standard the LORD set and will do just the opposite and tell his family to do the same. They will start false religions to say that they are really those who love the LORD but in a different way. It is a lie because the devil is the father of lies. The evil angels even believe in Jesus and tremble. Believing doesn’t mean obeying to them.
CHALLENGE: We need to combine believing with obeying!!
: 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (1411 “power” [dunamis] means mighty work, strength, miracle, ability, capability or force.)
DEVOTION: The Greek word used here is our word for dynamite. The power that the disciples received on the day of Pentecost rocked the world. They ran from Jesus when Judas and his group came to get HIM in the garden. They were people who locked themselves in a room for fear of the Jews. They were people who doubted many of the things that Jesus taught them. They were individuals who were questions on their love for the LORD.
Jesus promised this strength. HE promise them if they waited they would receive it. They even prayed for it while they were waiting in Jerusalem. Once they received the capability to serve the LORD without fear they saw three thousand souls come in response to their invitation.
Their assignment was not just for Jerusalem. They had to start somewhere to build a base of believers to work with them as they moved to different parts of the country as witnesses to the event of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
They spread the message of salvation to the point that it reached the uttermost part of the earth. We are to do the same through our local church. We are to reach our world with the strength that the LORD provides through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
God the Holy Spirit has not lost any ability to strengthen every believer that allows HIM to use them to reach the world for Christ. Our problem is that we don’t want to get involved in such an adventure. It is easier to wait for Jesus to sound the trumpet sitting in our homes or churches praying for HIS return. That is the proper use of the strength the LORD gives each of us.
CHALLENGE: Realize the strength that is available to you for the purpose of reaching your world for the LORD. The message is plain: Go!
: 11 Which also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen HIM go into heaven. (1689 “gazing up” [emblepo] means behold, looking up, to turn one’s eyes on, look intently at, to look directly at, look straight at, fix the eyes, or look attentively at.)
DEVOTION: Angels are watching what is going on in our world. They rejoice when someone becomes a believer. They want to know the truth about what is going to happen in the future.
Remember that the demons or the fallen angels asked Jesus not hurt them before the time. What time was that? It was the time when they were going to spend eternity in the lake of fire. They knew it was coming. They just didn’t know when it was going to happen to them. They wanted to enjoy their time of taking possession of those people who were not followers of the LORD. The LORD even took some of those who were possessed with evil angels to join HIS kingdom in the future.
These two good angels informed the disciples that Jesus was coming back. They knew that much about the future. They didn’t know when either but they knew that if the LORD said it was going to happen it was going to happen.
We need to trust the LORD that HE will never tell a lie. Only the devil and his followers are the liars of the world. Jesus always told the truth. HE said HE was coming again. The disciples believed it and taught in person and in their writings.
It is our turn to believe the truth of the second coming of Christ. We are to be watching for it while we are serving.
CHALLENGE: Remember we don’t want the LORD to return while we are being lazy. HE doesn’t want us to sit, soak and sour before HE returns. HE wants us to SERVE faithfully.
: 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. (1248 “ministry” [diakonia] means service, office, relief, those who execute the commands of others, those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men, office of the apostles, or office of a deacon.)
DEVOTION: Jesus had resurrected from the dead. HE had appeared many times to the disciples. Here we have Luke writing a second book to help a convert understand the ministry of Jesus and the beginning of the church.
In this chapter we still have Old Testament saints gathered together for prayer waiting for the filling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had given them the Holy Spirit to help them understand what HE was teaching them. They had to wait for the full power of the Holy Spirit to be the witnesses the LORD wanted them to be to all the world.
As they are gathered in the upper room, Peter is stating that Judas had obtained a part in the office of disciple with them from Jesus. Judas had gone out witnessing with them. Judas was the treasurer of the disciples. Judas was the betrayer of Jesus.
Now he was dead and Peter wanted his office filled. Peter quoted a Scripture reference to office needing to be filled by a new individual who had been with them since the beginning.
The new disciple would have his office. They prayed. They cast lots. They nominated two men Barsabas and Matthias. The vote fell on Matthias. He became the twelfth disciple.
The Scripture stated in the Psalms that there would be a replacement for Judas. Was this the man? Does the majority always get it right in a church? Can we pray and still do something that is wrong in God’s eyes? Remember that Jesus always connected fasting with prayer in times of major decisions. Was this a major decision?
Do we connect fasting and prayer in our major decisions? Should we? From the time that Matthias filled the spot of Judas we hear nothing about him. The one we hear about is Paul.
All disciples are called to ministry. We are all ministers who are to serve the LORD. Part of our ministry is to be witnesses.
CHALLENGE: Are we witnessing to those around us? Don’t leave this to the paid staff of the local church.
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
Visit our Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.