The Acts of the Apostles Made Easy
This book is written by Luke. He tells about the things that happened after Jesus was alive from the dead.
The book was written about 65AD to 70AD. Jesus lived to be about 33 (plus) years.
So this book was written about 33 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The things that Luke writes about are the things that happened during these 33 years. Luke writes to a man by the name of Theophilus.
Acts Chapter 1
Luke reminds Theophilus that Jesus died and was come to life again. He went back up into heaven.
Luke said that during these 40 days that Jesus was alive after his resurrection that Jesus showed himself to the disciples from time to time.
One of these times, Jesus ate a meal with his disciples. Ghost do not eat. This was another proof that Jesus was a real resurrected body.
One time before Jesus said to the disciples “Look at my hands and my feet, It is I myself, touch me and see, because a spirit (ghost) does not have flesh and bones as you see me have.” Luke 24:39
Jesus told the disciples to remember that he had told them to go to Jerusalem and stay there until the Holy Spirit came upon them.
Vs. 5 John baptized people in water. But you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Vs. 6 As the disciples are with Jesus they ask him, “Will you give back the kingdom to Israel?” (Remember, the Jewish people have been under the rule of kings of other nations for many years. Yet in the Old Testament, God promised that someday in the future Israel would have their own king and rule their own land again.)
So the Jewish people have been remembering this promise for many, many years. They thought that Jesus coming to be their “Savior” meant to be their king and they would rule their own land again.
But Jesus’ coming the first time, was not to be a “Savior” of their kingdom on earth.
Jesus will do that in the future. He will come again and be the King of Israel and of the whole earth. Jesus’ coming the first time was to be a “Savior” of their spirit from eternal death by paying the death penalty for them on the cross.
The Jewish people did not expect Jesus to die. They were shocked. All of their hopes for a “kingdom” of their own ended.
Then Jesus came alive again. They were shocked. Now they think he must be alive again for the reason to be their earthly king and set up rule over Israel.
So they are asking him when is he planning to take over and be king.
Vs. 7 Jesus tells them it is not for them to know when that will happen.
That is something only God the Father knows.
Vs. 8 Jesus moves on to talk about something else. He tells them that soon the Holy Spirit will come upon you. The Holy Spirit will give you power (spiritual power).
He will help you be a witness a witness tells about what they have seen and heard.
Jesus said you will start here in Jerusalem, and then you will move out farther, and farther until you go to the whole world to tell them.
Vs.9 After Jesus said these things, Jesus began to rise up in the air. He kept going up, up, up until he was hidden in the clouds. And they could not see him any more.
Vs. 10 As they stood there looking up two men in white clothing (angels) appeared.
The angels said to them, “Why are you standing here looking up? This same Jesus, that you see go into heaven, will come back again in the same way he went up.”
We know from other places in the Bible that Jesus will come back to earth again by coming down from the clouds.
Vs. 12 So the disciples went back to Jerusalem. They went into an upper room. The disciples were there and also other believers. Including, Mary, Jesus’ mother and his brothers.
Jesus had at least 4 brothers. (See Matthew 13:55) He also had sisters. From some verses in the Bible, we know that his brothers did not believe in him at first. But later, it seems they did. Some of the brothers were in the upper room.
James and Jude were brothers that wrote books in the New Testament. See also Galatians 1:19, 2:9, Mark 6:3
Vs. 15 Peter stood up to speak. There were about 120 people there. Peter began to go over some of the things that had happen. He tells what happened to Judas, who betrayed Jesus. He is saying that they should think of choosing another man to take Judas’ place.
Vs. 23-26 Two men’s names were given to vote on. Matthias got the vote.