Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“But he said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth.” And after he had said these things, while they were watching, he was taken up, and a cloud received him from their sight.” (Acts 1:7-9)

The book of the Acts of the Apostles was the sequel to the gospel written by Luke. As such, it was also written by Luke and had the same recipient (Theophilus). It is the second half of the story. It is never just about Jesus, but it is also about what we do once we know the truth about Jesus. Luke, being detail minded, placed many references in the book of Acts about people and locations. Historical records and archaeological finds have time and again proven Luke to be extremely accurate. The book is a narrative from eyewitnesses (Luke himself appears first in Acts 16:10 as part of the ‘we’) about the Holy Spirit and how He changed the lives of these people and the world in which they lived and spread the gospel of Jesus that they were commanded to. They couldn’t do it in and of themselves, but they could in His power and under His guidance.

The first chapter, after a salutation to Theophilus, opens with Jesus having assembled His disciples on the Mount of Olives for a last talking to. He reiterates their mission, but tells them to wait in Jerusalem until the promised Spirit (John 14:26) arrives and imbues them with His power. Then, as they watched, He was taken up to Heaven. The disciples returned to Jerusalem and went back to the room they had been staying in. They were Eleven, since Judas had killed himself. They wanted to be Twelve again. The criteria was that the person had to have been a follower of Jesus from the beginning and been a steady companion of Jesus throughout all they did during His ministry. Of everyone there, two qualified. They prayed and then cast lots (something the priests had also done – Nehemiah 10:34; 1 Chronicles 24:31). This was BEFORE they received Holy Spirit. After they do, you never again hear of them casting lots but instead they consult Holy Spirit directly for instructions. Matthias was chosen and he was numbered with the Twelve.

Chapter two opens on the Day of Pentecost, one of the great Feasts (Leviticus 23:15-21). It was fifty days after Passover, and so fifty days after Jesus’ sacrifice. They were all (not just the Twelve) gathered in the upper room they had been staying in (thought to be in the house of John Mark’s mother). The sound of rushing wind filled the place. Tongues of fire individually engulfed them. They began speaking in languages that were not their own – I believe they spoke in THE heavenly language and people heard their OWN language as Holy Spirit interpreted it for them. They were loud. They were joyful. They made such a racket of praise and worship that people in the neighbourhood noticed. A great crowd gathered. These were Jews from all over the known world in Jerusalem for the feast. They each heard these mostly uneducated disciples speaking their native tongues. Some were amazed. Others assumed they were drunk.

Peter stood up and addressed everyone. He referenced the prophet Joel to explain what was happening (Joel 2:28-32). He was bold. He was eloquent. He spoke with authority. Completely different from the Peter we have come to know from the gospel accounts. This was Peter filled with Holy Spirit, speaking under His direction as Jesus had prophesied they would do (Luke 12:12). Peter spoke to them about Jesus and about the sacrifice Jesus made for them. He gave a brief summary of the gospel message and Holy Spirit touched many of their hearts. They responded and asked what to do. Peter told them to be baptized and believe. They did. The followers of Jesus started the day with about seventy or so, they ended the day with more than three thousand.

The apostles (not just the Twelve) continued teaching the new disciples and they all fellowshipped together, sharing both meals and prayers. Reverence for God came to all of them and many signs and wonders were performed by the apostles (not just the Twelve). They sold property in order to give people what they needed. They collectively worked together. They continued in the Temple worshipping God as well as meeting house to house. Every day more and more people were being saved by and through Jesus.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, Disciples/Apostles, Jews

Key Verse(s): Acts 1:6-11; 2:14-36