Acts 1 Commentary
The Book of Acts is the second volume of the two-volume work from the disciple Luke. The first volume is the gospel that bears his name, ‘Luke’. The Book of Acts is, therefore, the continuation of the story we enjoyed from the gospel of Luke. But the ordering of the books of the Bible is such that John is the last gospel. We shouldn’t complain at all. John has written quite extensively (and exclusively) on the work of the Holy Spirit. And the Book of Acts is best called the “Acts of the Holy Spirit”.
By this time, the disciples have a new understanding of the work of the Spirit. Their understanding of the holy script is quite different from the common Jew of their time.
“…The Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas.” Verse 16.
The Book of Psalms is no longer a mere collection of songs, praises, lamentations, citations, or indeed historical recollections. In them, the Holy Spirit speaks. Throughout this volume, the holy script is viewed as the very words of the Holy Spirit. They are live and active.
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” John 16 verses 13 and 14.
The disciples have to wait for the special gift – the Holy Spirit.
Under the power of the Holy Spirit, Samson achieved unimaginable feats. Under the same power, David defeated Goliath. Before Goliath’s defeat, David killed both the lion and the bear on two different occasions. The Holy Spirit would also enable him to pen down much of the material we find in the Book of Psalms. Indeed, the Holy Spirit spoke through the mouth of David…
The disciples need this kind of baptism. The Holy Spirit would power a salvation revolution that spans the length and breadth of the end times. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. It is for the entire humanity! The mention of Samaria is deliberate because of the rivalry between Jews and the Samaritans. It is time for a united Israel. United Israel includes the ends of the earth – the nations. This single statement fulfills the writings of the prophets concerning a prosperous Israel that includes all peoples united under the same obedience.
Some things never change. Same Jesus, same disciples! Same wrongly premised questions and the same answers but no answers! “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Which Israel? Which kingdom? Jesus is the King. They (the disciples) are the subjects. How can they forget! And His kingdom is not of this world… it is not like what they knew and probably expected.
Nevertheless, the LORD Jesus answers the question they never asked but the question they should have asked. And it’s the same answer: “No one knows the day nor the hour”. It is a reference to the reign of the Christ over His entire creation – when everything is put under His feet.
Aren’t we better because we can read everything in perspective and we have the entire holy script!
Let them be concerned with the task at hand – the work of the Holy Spirit through them. This is Christianity made simple. No complex studies. Everything can have it in the same measure. The filling of the Holy Spirit is the same for every saint. The most important item of the Christian faith is down to what we all can afford – the free gift from our LORD Jesus!
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 