Act bible study guide

Luke begins his second book to Theophilus by alluding to the first (the gospel of Luke, Lk 1:1-4 ). He briefly reviews what occurred during the forty days between the resurrection and ascension of Christ (cf. Lk 24:1-53 ). Special attention is given to the Promise of the Father regarding the apostles being baptized by the Holy Spirit, who would empower them as witnesses for Christ in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and even to the end of the earth ( 1-8 ).

The ascension of Jesus is then described (cf. also Lk 24:50-51 ), along with the promise of His return by two men in white apparel standing by ( 9-11 ). Obeying the command of the Lord, the apostles return to Jerusalem, where they wait and continue in prayer along with the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers ( 12-14 ).

During this time, Peter addresses the (120) disciples regarding Judas who betrayed Jesus. Both the fall and replacement of Judas were foretold by the Spirit through the mouth of David, so Peter proposes guidelines for nominees to take the place of Judas in the apostolic ministry of being a witness of Jesus' resurrection. Two men are selected for consideration, and following prayer for the Lord to show which of the two He has chosen, lots are cast and Matthias is numbered with the eleven apostles ( 15-26 ).

OUTLINE
  1. THE PROLOGUE (1-8)
    1. THE FORMER ACCOUNT TO THEOPHILUS (1-3)
      1. Of all that Jesus began to do and teach
      2. Until the day in which Jesus was taken up
      3. After He had given commandments to the apostles
        1. To whom He had shown Himself alive, being seen during forty days
        2. Speaking of things pertaining to the kingdom of God
        1. The apostles commanded to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Promise of the Father
          1. Which they had heard from Him
          2. For while John baptized with water, they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit shortly
          1. Would He now restore the kingdom to Israel?
          2. It is not for them to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority
          1. They shall receive power
          2. They shall be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth
          1. JESUS ASCENDS TO HEAVEN (9)
            1. When He had spoken these words, while they watched
            2. A cloud received Him out of their sight
            1. While looking steadfastly as Jesus ascends, two men in white apparel stand by
            2. They address the apostles
              1. "Men of Galilee"
              2. "Why do you stand gazing up into heaven?"
              1. "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven"
              2. "Will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven"
              1. THE APOSTLES RETURN TO JERUSALEM (12)
                1. From the mount called Olivet
                2. About a Sabbath day's journey
                1. In an upper room where they were staying
                2. The names of the apostles: Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas the son of James
                3. They pray with the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers
                1. THE COUNSEL OF PETER (15-22)
                  1. To about 120 disciples, of the need to replace Judas
                    1. His betrayal prophesied by the Spirit through David
                      1. He became a guide to those who arrested Jesus
                      2. Though he was numbered with the apostles and had a part in their ministry
                      1. He purchased a field with the wages of iniquity ( Mt 27:3-8 )
                      2. He fell headlong, burst open in the middle, entrails gushing out
                      3. The field is called Akel Dama, Field of Blood
                      1. "Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it" ( Ps 69:25 )
                      2. "Let another take his office" ( Ps 109:8 )
                      1. Having accompanied the apostles all the time Jesus went in and out among them
                      2. Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day Jesus ascended to heaven
                      1. Two are proposed
                        1. Joseph called Barsabas and surnamed Justus
                        2. Matthias
                        1. To show which of these two He has chosen
                        2. Who would take part in the ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell
                        1. The lot fell on Matthias
                        2. He was numbered with the eleven apostles
                        REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
                        1. What are the main points of this chapter?

                        - The Prologue (1-8)
                        - The Ascension Of Christ (9-11)
                        - The Waiting In Jerusalem (12-14)
                        - The Selection Of Matthias (15-26)

                        - The gospel of Luke (Lk 1:1-4)

                        - Gave commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen
                        - Presented Himself alive by many infallible proofs
                        - Spoke of things pertaining to the kingdom of God

                        - Forty days - Not to depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the Promise of the Father - Being baptized with the Holy Spirit

                        - Would He at that time restore the kingdom to Israel?
                        - It was not for them to know the times and seasons which the Father has put in His own authority

                        - The apostles would receive power
                        - His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to end of the earth

                        - A cloud received Him out of their sight - Two men in white apparel - Jesus will return in like manner as they saw Him ascend to heaven - Mount Olivet (near Bethany, cf. Lk 24:50)
                        - A Sabbath day's journey (nearly a mile)

                        - An upper room
                        - With the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers (cf. Mt 13:55; Jn 7:5)

                        - Peter
                        - Replacing Judas who betrayed Jesus and hung himself

                        - Fell headlong, burst open in the middle, and entrails gushed out (presumably after he hanged himself)
                        - The field purchased with money paid to betray Jesus, known as Akel Dama, the Field of Blood

                        - Had accompanied the apostles all the time the Lord Jesus went in and out among them
                        - From the baptism of John to the day Jesus ascended to heaven