n. hammersley acts 1 waiting for pentecost. n. hammersley acts 1:1-5 - introduction addressed to...

N. HammersleyN. Hammersley

ACTS 1ACTS 1

WAITING FOR PENTECOSTWAITING FOR PENTECOST


ACTS 1:1-5 - INTRODUCTIONACTS 1:1-5 - INTRODUCTION

ADDRESSED TO “MOST EXCELLENT ADDRESSED TO “MOST EXCELLENT THEOPHILIUS”THEOPHILIUS”Who is he?Who is he?

A Roman official/ a convertA Roman official/ a convertAn alias to protect persons name “lover of God”An alias to protect persons name “lover of God”Any Christian reader, as they are lover of God!Any Christian reader, as they are lover of God!

Author has written another book – Luke’s Author has written another book – Luke’s Gospel…this is Volume 2Gospel…this is Volume 2Luke 1:1Luke 1:1followingfollowing claims reliability and claims reliability and accuracyaccuracy


ACTS 1:6-8 THE COMMISSIONACTS 1:6-8 THE COMMISSION

After the resurrection Jesus is still After the resurrection Jesus is still teaching the apostles. teaching the apostles.

He spoke to them about the Kingdom of God He spoke to them about the Kingdom of God

To wait for the gift of the SpiritTo wait for the gift of the Spirit

They still misunderstand the meaning of the They still misunderstand the meaning of the Kingdom, and the nature of the kingdom and Kingdom, and the nature of the kingdom and Spirit. Spirit.



The Kingdom of God is The Kingdom of God is SpiritualSpiritual in character in character. .

(See Stott, p.41 footnote 6) It is not a geographical (See Stott, p.41 footnote 6) It is not a geographical place, or a political territory. It is a kingdom of the Holy place, or a political territory. It is a kingdom of the Holy Spirit. A kingdom where God rules in the hearts of his Spirit. A kingdom where God rules in the hearts of his people through the Spirit.people through the Spirit.



The Kingdom of God is The Kingdom of God is InternationalInternational in in membershipmembership..

The Holy Spirit will empower his followers to be The Holy Spirit will empower his followers to be witnesses witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). (Acts 1:8).

This is a very different idea to traditional Jewish thinking. This is a very different idea to traditional Jewish thinking. People are going out, “centrifugal mission” (out from the People are going out, “centrifugal mission” (out from the centre) and not waiting for people to come in, centre) and not waiting for people to come in, “centripetal”. Christ rules not just Israel, but over the “centripetal”. Christ rules not just Israel, but over the whole of creation; race, rank, sex, colour, nationality, whole of creation; race, rank, sex, colour, nationality, language are no barriers to Christian fellowship.language are no barriers to Christian fellowship.



The Kingdom of God is The Kingdom of God is GradualGradual in process in process.. When When the disciples ask Jesus if “This is the time”, he replies that -the disciples ask Jesus if “This is the time”, he replies that -It is not their position or job to know- times and dates are for God to decide. It is not their position or job to know- times and dates are for God to decide. The The Parousia Parousia is at a time of God’s choosing. is at a time of God’s choosing.

Between Pentecost and Parousia they have work to do; the world-wide Between Pentecost and Parousia they have work to do; the world-wide mission of the church mission of the church


Acts 1:12-14Acts 1:12-14

After the short walk back to Jerusalem they spend their After the short walk back to Jerusalem they spend their time in prayer. time in prayer.

There are two characteristics of this prayerThere are two characteristics of this prayer

Their prayer was Their prayer was UNITEDUNITED. The 11 are named plus . The 11 are named plus the women who have followed and supported the women who have followed and supported Jesus and the disciples. Luke emphasises the Jesus and the disciples. Luke emphasises the single-mindedness of the followers and their unity single-mindedness of the followers and their unity

Their prayer was Their prayer was PERSEVERINGPERSEVERING. It was constant . It was constant and persistent. The Apostles follow Jesus’ and persistent. The Apostles follow Jesus’ command to wait for the Spirit; they are together, command to wait for the Spirit; they are together, they are praying and confident.they are praying and confident.


Acts 1:15-26 Final acts before PentecostActs 1:15-26 Final acts before Pentecost

1. The Death of 1. The Death of Judas (1:18-19)Judas (1:18-19)Luke describes Judas’ Luke describes Judas’ act as act as wickedwicked

Matthew describes his Matthew describes his death as suicide; not death as suicide; not here.here.

Who bought the field?Who bought the field?

AkeldamaAkeldama – Field of – Field of Blood. Judas’ blood spilt Blood. Judas’ blood spilt on it or Blood money?on it or Blood money?



2. Fulfilment of scripture 2. Fulfilment of scripture (1:15-17 & 20)(1:15-17 & 20)Scripture is used as evidence Scripture is used as evidence to explain what had happened. to explain what had happened.

This emphasises that the “new” This emphasises that the “new” covenant is a continuation of covenant is a continuation of the old, and indeed its the old, and indeed its fulfilment. This is what fulfilment. This is what everything has been leading everything has been leading up to!up to!



3. The Choice of Matthias (1:21-26)3. The Choice of Matthias (1:21-26)

Apostolic ministryApostolic ministry- the apostles have to - the apostles have to preach about Jesus and the Resurrection.preach about Jesus and the Resurrection.

Apostolic QualificationApostolic Qualification-a follower of Jesus -a follower of Jesus from his baptism, and, a witness to the from his baptism, and, a witness to the resurrection.resurrection.

Apostolic AppointmentApostolic Appointment- Jesus chose - Jesus chose Matthias, not anyone else! Matthias, not anyone else!

The 12 are reformed/ complete…the “New The 12 are reformed/ complete…the “New people of God” / the new Israel / the new people of God” / the new Israel / the new covenant covenant



Even though they cast lots, it is Christ who Even though they cast lots, it is Christ who decided. How they make the choice;decided. How they make the choice;

Follow Scripture (1:16-21)Follow Scripture (1:16-21)

Common sense, they need to replace JudasCommon sense, they need to replace Judas

PrayedPrayed

Cast lotsCast lots

Now everything is in place for Pentecost…….Now everything is in place for Pentecost…….

n. hammersley acts 1 waiting for pentecost. n. hammersley acts 1:1-5 - introduction addressed to...

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