“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” 2 Peter 1:20 – 2:1
Verses 1-2 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
Luke opens his letter starting with a reminder that Theophilus can refer to his first treatise in which he describes the ministry of Jesus. Perhaps this is to give Theophilus a better understanding of how and why the Apostle Paul has conducted his life in a manner that has gotten him into the legal difficulties Luke will explain in this letter.
Verse 3 To whom also he shewed 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:
Here Luke is verifying the resurrection of Jesus. Paul stated in his letter to the Corinthians that, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” 1 Cor 15:17 There is no Christian faith without the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Verses 4-5 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Many people were with Jesus for that 40 day time period. Because of the multiple witnesses, His resurrection from the dead cannot be disputed. Jesus had promised them that He would send His spirit or ghost (also referred to as “the comforter”) and that they would receive power. They were to wait patiently for this power in Jerusalem.
Application: Christians too often attempt to have a ministry by their own will, using their own talents and their own power. It will never work. We cannot accomplish a work for Jesus Christ without His power to guide, to sustain and to help us. The Holy Ghost or Spirit is the tool that we need to be successful in the kingdom of God and to do His will. Like the early church, we need to wait upon the Lord for this power which is promised to all believers. If you haven’t received the baptism of the Spirit, be patient and pray for it and wait for it.
Verses 6-8 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Because of the false teachings of the religious leaders, the early church was still looking for a conquering Messiah that would be a ruler on earth and restore Israel to its former glory. But Jesus made it clear that only the Father knows the future and that it will be according to His will. Their job was to receive power and to be witnesses of the gospel, starting first in their home town and then extending out into the surrounding country, into the hated Samaria and then into the entire earth.
Application: Today, most Christian churches are still looking for the Messiah to restore Israel to its former glory. All the verses showing that the nation Israel of the past was to be destroyed and made desolate because of unrepentant sin and rejection of Jesus Christ are ignored and Paul’s clear teaching in the book of Galatians regarding the true Israel of God is also ignored. This topic will be covered in a post and not further elaborated on here. But what is important to note is that churches often fail to operate with the power of God and thus fail to be led by the Spirit of God, and therefore never extend their ministry out from their local body of believers into the lost and dying world in the communities around them.
Verses 9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The ascension of Jesus into Heaven was witnessed by at least 120 people. Nothing about the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus was done in a closet or in secret. It was all made public and was all prophesied by the prophets of old before it happened. But Jesus loved his followers so much, He bothered to send two angels to explain what was happening and to assure them that He would return to earth again the same way He left. It should be noted here that angels in the Bible always appeared to men and women as men. They were male. They were never female with white fluffy wings attached, robed in long attire and adorned with halos over their heads. The female angel fairy tale is a product of the Devil, modern manufacturers and marketing strategies, and the advent of the women’s rights movement. Sorry folks, but as stated before, the Bible is written in the masculine tense and angels always appear as men.
Verses 12-13 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
Often, the reader thinks of the 12 apostles and forgets that there were many more people represented in these verses that included many women. The upper room has been suggested as one located on the Temple grounds, but the exact location is not really known. However, from this verse, it is clear that the remaining 11 disciples were lodging in this room and it can be imagined that it became somewhat crowded when the entire group, referred to as “they,” returned from witnessing the miracle of Jesus Christ’s bodily ascension into Heaven. One can only imagine the excitement and yet sadness they felt at the loss of the physical presence of Jesus and the anticipation of something great yet to come.
Verse 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Application: The church is to be in one accord. That means we are all in agreement with each other. Yet this is rarely seen. Why? Why are there so many denominations today and so many Bible versions and so many doctrinal differences. Could it be that God’s people are not operating in the power of His Spirit? Are they operating in their own flesh, mind, will and emotions? And as such, are they easy targets for the Devil and his lies? You decide.
Verses 15-17 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
Notice how this young, uneducated fisherman, Peter, could refer to scripture written hundreds of years before his time by King David. This was a supernatural occurrence in which the Spirit of God brought this verse into Peter’s mind to guide him as the leader of the early church. Peter knew both the prophecy and that it needed to be fulfilled at this time. He clearly shows that Judas was the traitor that led the authorities and religious leaders to Jesus that last night after the Passover meal.
Application: Just like Peter, believers can have verses put into their minds by the Holy Ghost to give answers to their questions and to give hope and comfort in times of trouble. We just have to take the time to pray, be patient and then listen for the answers.
Verses 18-20 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
What happened to Judas regarding his betrayal of Jesus and his suicide was again not a secret but public knowledge. The field Judas purchased with his ill gotten blood money was shunned by the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This fulfilled the prophesy recorded in Psalms 69 and 109. Note that Judas held the office of bishop.
Application: Just because a person holds an office or a position of power within a church body or church organization does not mean that the person knows Jesus and is His follower. Be careful of leadership and be sure they are true Christians or harm can come to the body by what is referred to as “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” In other words, Satan positions his people within the church walls in positions of power for the purpose of destroying that particular body or church. Always be vigilant.
Verse 21-23 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Peter and the apostles did not choose a replacement for Judas from among the followers of Jesus without some consideration. They wanted a man that had been with them from the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, who they knew, who’s behavior they had observed and who they approved of both in character and in spiritual maturity. This was not a popularity contest. By selecting two men, they were not making the decision themselves, but leaving the final choice to the LORD.
Verses 24-25 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Notice that the very next thing the apostles did after casting lots was to pray. This was an extremely important decision and they wanted to turn it over to the LORD and not have human intervention which may have led to a wrong individual occupying a position for which he was not qualified to hold.
Application: Too many leadership positions in today’s organized religious church are held by persons not qualified to hold them or by persons who have not been chosen by God. Pastor-ships have been handed down from father to son. Deacon and Elder positions have been voted on by congregations where the individual is chosen based on his appearance, his popularity, his age, and any number of other considerations. Only God knows a person’s heart and only He can see the future. Shouldn’t God be asked to decide who is going to hold positions of leadership in His church, the one He bled and died for?
Application: The verse above states that “Judas by transgression fell.” Could it be that the doctrine taught today about eternal salvation (in which it is believed that once a person experiences Jesus and is ‘saved’ from sin, death, and hell, he cannot lose that salvation) is flawed? Judas was a believer. He participated in the ministry of Jesus for over three years. He was taught by God as Jesus is God in the flesh. He went with the disciples and healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed the lepers, and cast out devils all in the power of the Holy Spirit. By definition, Judas was saved. He even held the position of Bishop in the church. So what went wrong. Apparently, he transgressed and fell. How did he transgress? By rejecting and turning against Jesus and giving in to the fleshly desire to have money or riches. That fall away from Jesus resulted in physical death and most likely eternity in Hell. What is different today? Cannot the gift of eternal salvation be given to an individual and that person decide to give it back and return to a life of sin? You decide.
Verse 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
The method of casting lots when making decisions is described in many places in the Old Testament such as Leviticus 16:8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. The word refers to a stone and it appears that two stones were cast, presumably on the ground, and the LORD would choose the stone that was to decide the matter.