The Book of Acts Chapter 1

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**Editor's Note**

Red and Green are my insertions.

The Book of Acts Chapter 1

Text from https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ACT.INTRO1.NIV

Ascension of Jesus & Filling the Missing Apostle

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

1 In my former book, Theophilus(1, check the bottom), I wrote (The Gospel According to Luke) about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. (The Gospel of Kingdom of God is the core message of Jesus even after His resurrection. The disciples must carry on His message.)

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Jesus ordered to stay in Jerusalem until they are filled with the Holy Spirit. 2:4)

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. (Jesus reassures that the last day would not to be known but faithful daily life matters.)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (This is the most important prophecy which is implying the Great Commitment.)

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (The Ascension of Jesus against gravity.)

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. (Angels showed up.)

11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Foretelling the Second Coming of Jesus. Mt. 24:29-30)

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. (5/8 mile close proximity.)

13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying (where they had the Last Supper). Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. (11 of them except the Judas Iscariot.)

14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (to pray together)

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, ("Brothers" only in Greek text) the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.

17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.

19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“ ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’

and, “ ‘May another take his place of leadership.’ (Ps. 69:25, 109:8)

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” (Qualification of apostles)

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. (These two were qualified according to the judgement of those people.)

24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” (But they relied on God's judgement by casting lots, and chose Matthias.) (2, check the bottom.)

26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

(1)Theophilus: (Google AI)

He was the recipient of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, addressed as "most excellent" in both books, suggesting he was a person of high social standing, possibly a Roman official or a wealthy patron. The name "Theophilus" means "friend of God" or "loved by God" in Greek, though some scholars believe the address was a generic one to a general audience of believers, according to OnMissionMedia.com and Quora users.

(2)Casting Lots in the Bible: (Google AI)

Casting lots was a biblical method for making decisions, believed to reveal God's will through a process of chance that was considered impartial, like flipping a coin or drawing straws. It was used to divide land, assign priestly duties, and select a replacement for Judas. While the practice is not recommended for Christians today, its biblical examples highlight the ancient belief that God controlled the outcome to guide people.

Old Testament examples

* Dividing the land: After the Israelites entered the Promised Land, lots were cast to distribute land among the tribes.

* Assigning priestly duties: Lots were used to determine the various duties of priests and Levites in the temple.

* The Scapegoat: On the Day of Atonement, lots were cast to determine which of two goats would be sacrificed and which would be the scapegoat.

* Jonah's storm: Sailors on Jonah's ship cast lots to identify who had caused the storm.

New Testament examples

* Choosing Matthias: After Judas Iscariot's betrayal, the eleven apostles cast lots to choose his replacement, with the lot falling to Matthias.

* Jesus's garments: Roman soldiers cast lots to decide who would get Jesus's seamless tunic after the crucifixion.

Modern interpretation

* Shift in guidance: In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is seen as the primary guide for Christians, making the external method of casting lots unnecessary.

* Beyond chance: The biblical view saw casting lots as a way for God to intervene, not just random chance, though it can seem like a game of chance today.