Acts 1 – The Need for the Holy Spirit

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

In this bible study, we examine Acts 1, where the apostles began to live their lives without Christ physically being with them, as we see the desperate need for the Holy Spirit.

Introduction

Following the four gospels, the fifth book of the New Testament is titled “The Acts of the Apostles”.  In our study of Acts, we are going to be following the apostles as they push forward in the commission that had been given to them by Christ (Matt. 28:19-20).  It will be incredibly important to study how the apostles moved because we also share in the same commission; we are to minister the good news to all people.

Faithful Steward Over the Truth

Acts 1:1-2 – The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen 

• Theophilus’ name is also mentioned in Luke 1:1-3, which means the “former account” is a reference to Luke’s gospel.  This also means Luke authored the Book of Acts personally for Theophilus.  Luke’s desire was for Theophilus to know the truth, rather than be fed gossip and conspiracies about Christ and the works of the apostles.
• Believers have been made stewards, or administrators, of the gospel (1 Cor. 4:1-2).  So, just like Luke, we believers carry a great deal of responsibility to minister the gospel truthfully so that all of those who are around us will receive the divine truth, rather than gossip and conspiracy.

Acts 1:3 – to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 

• The gospels testify of Christ’s resurrection and several of His post-resurrection appearances (Matt. 28:1-10; 16-20; Mark 16:1-18; Luke 24; John 20-21).
• In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul wrote that those who doubted Jesus’ resurrection had hundreds they could go and speak to as living witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection.
• Let’s note that for forty days, Jesus continued to train the apostles for the task of ministering the gospel.  Faithful stewards ought not to think that ministering the gospel is something one can do at a whim!  We must certainly be diligent to study God’s word (2 Tim. 2:15).

The Promise of the Father

Acts 1:4-5 – And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 

• The Promise of the Father is also spoken of in Luke 24:49 when Christ instructed the apostles, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
• The Holy Spirit, or Spirit of Truth, was a constant promise that Christ spoke of to the apostles, and He also spoke of the role the Holy Spirit would play in their lives.
  • John 14:26 – “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 
  • John 16:13-14 – “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”
• To be clear:  The Holy Spirit comforts and guides believers in truth and will never lead one astray.

Keeping Focus on the Present

Acts 1:6-8 – Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.  But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 

• The Jews had been raised, looking forward to the day that the Righteous Branch of God would come, executing judgment and righteousness in the earth; a day when Israel would dwell in His safety, as Jeremiah had prophesied (Jer. 23:5-6).
• The scribes and Pharisees doubted Jesus was the Messiah because He made no efforts to overthrow Rome.  
• Yet, Christ repeatedly made it clear that His first coming was not about judgment but about salvation
  • Luke 5:31-32 – “Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” 
  • Luke 9:56 – “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village. “
  • Luke 19:9-10 – “And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” 
• The Second Coming of Christ is when Christ will establish His kingdom on earth, which is also something Christ had told the apostles of before.  
• While we ought to look ahead to the promised future because it fills us with hope and joy, we must still pay attention to the present day and stay true to the assignment Christ has given us.
• “You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria” highlights how the Great Commission is not exclusive.  The Jews and Samaritans did not get along, yet Jesus instructed the apostles to go to Samaria rather than do as other Jews who avoided Samaria.  Apostles like Phillip ministered heavily in Samaria and made believers of many there.

Jesus’ Ascension

Acts 1:9-12 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,  who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 

• Jesus’ ascension is mentioned in both Mark and Luke’s gospel (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-51).
• The two men in white apparel are angels who spoke of the Second Coming of Christ, which should not be confused with the rapture of the church.  As prophesied by Zechariah and shown in the Revelation of Christ, at the Second Coming, Christ will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.
• While the Mount Olivet (mount of olives) is not Mount Zion, they are only separated by about 2 miles.

Selecting The Twelfth Apostle

Acts 1:13-14 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

• Jesus’ four half-brothers are listed in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3.  Jesus’ brothers included James and Jude, who both have epistles that are included in New Testament scripture. They are His half-brothers because Christ was not born through the seed of man.

Acts 1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 

• A disciple is one who commits to learning and following in the way of their teacher or the teachings of a teacher.
• The eleven became known as the apostles of Christ after the death and resurrection of Christ, and are the only apostles.
• An apostle is one who was an eyewitness of Christ, was personally taught and trained by Christ, and was personally appointed by Christ. 

Acts 1:16-19 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” 

Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)

• While Judas Iscariot’s suicide is mentioned in the gospels, these specific details are only found in the book of Acts.

Acts 1:20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, and let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’

• The apostles’ first act is to replace Judas Iscariot; however, this is an act they are taking without having received the Holy Spirit.  We could say that they were getting ahead of the Lord since they were acting without having received the Holy Spirit.
• Peter quotes Psalm 69:25; 109:8.
• While quoting David, Peter’s desire to replace Judas Iscariot and have a twelfth apostle sounds more like a personal desire.  Jesus could have named a twelfth apostle if having a twelfth apostle was required.  Peter certainly needed the Holy Spirit so that he could heed the Spirit’s instruction for himself, rather than picking and choosing Bible verses for what could potentially be a personal cause.
• Believers should put forth their best effort to wait for the Holy Spirit’s direction before moving, as that will keep us on the righteous path.

Acts 1:21-26 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” 

And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen  to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”  And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 

• Casting lots is an ancient practice where the casting of lots determined what God’s answer or direction was to one’s prayer.  However, casting lots was also common in gambling.  Lots were cast over the robes of Christ as He hung on the cross.
• The selection of Matthias as the twelfth apostle is often brought up in debate over who is truly the twelfth apostle.  Later in the book of Acts, Paul is visited by Christ, taught and trained by Him.  Many recognize Paul as the true twelfth apostle because he was selected by Christ.  Should this be a topic of debate?  No.  Both men ministered the gospel, and in the end, that is all that matters.

A Need for the Holy Spirit

What Acts 1 helps to show us is the need for the faithful believer to receive the Holy Spirit.  Without the Holy Spirit, we would move in a way that seems right to us, but such a way is incredibly dangerous.  I often quote Proverbs 14:12, becuase the proverb reminds us that though one may go in a way that seems right to them, its end is the way of destruction if God isn’t leading the way.

Nothing bad came from the apostles selecting Matthias as their twelfth, but I do want to warn that just because something bad doesn’t happen, one shouldn’t make it a regular choice to not wait for God.  Keep in mind that the only instructions that Christ had given to the apostles were for them to stay in Jerusalem.

To do the good work, I want to point out to you that patience is needed, and the Holy Spirit is needed as well.  We cannot do the good work without either patience or the Holy Spirit.