The Acts of the
Apostles
Session 2: Chapter 1
Essential Role
“…and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem
and all Judea, and Samira and to the end of
the earth” – Acts 1:8b
The Acts of the
Apostles
Fall 2013
Current Schedule:
Session
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Date
Passages
8-Sep-13
Introduction
15-Sep-13
1:1 - 26
22-Sep-13
2:1 - 13
29-Sep-13
2:14 - 47
6-Oct-13
3:1-26
13-Oct-13
4:1-31
20-Oct-13
4:32-5:11
27-Oct-13
5:12 - 41
3-Nov-13
No Acts
9
10-Nov-13
6:1- 8:3
10
17-Nov-13
8:4-8:40
11
24-Nov-13
9:1 - 31
12
1-Dec-13
9:32-10:33
13
8-Dec-13
10:34-11:18
14
15-Dec-13
11:19-12:25
22-Dec-13
No Acts – Class TBD
29-Dec-13
No Acts - Class TBD
5-Jan-14
No Acts – Class TBD
Beginning of Spring 2014 Semester
1
12-Jan-14
13:1-50
2
19-Jan-14
13:51-14:28
3
26-Jan-14
15:1-41
4
2-Feb-14
16:1 - 40
5
9-Feb-14
17:1-34
6
16-Feb-14
18:1-23
7
23-Feb-14
18:24 - 19:41
8
2-Mar-14
20:1 - 21:16
9-Mar-14
Missions
16-Mar-14
Missions
9
23-Mar-14
21:17-22:21
10
30-Mar-14
22:22 - 23:33
11
6-Apr-14
23:34-25:22
12
13-Apr-14
25:23-26:32
13
20-Apr-14
27:1-44
14
27-Apr-14
28
Topic
Overview of Acts
Jesus' Final Message
Pentecost - Fulfillment
Pentecost - 1st Sermon
Lame man and 2nd Sermon
Peter & John: Prison and Trial
Ananias & Sapphira
Apostles Persecution
Missionary Visit
Deacons and Stephen
Philip
Saul Conversion
Peter: Lydda, Joppa, Caesarea Vision
Gentiles Converted and Defended
Antioch, Herod
1st Missionary Journey
Iconium, Lystra
Jerusalem Council
2nd Derbe, Lystra, Troas, Philippi
Thessalonica, Berea, Athens
Corinth to Antioch
3rd - Galatia, Ephesus
Macedonia, Troas Miletus, Tyre, Caesarea
Paul Jews, arrest, crowd
Centurion , Sanhedrin, Jews plan to kill Paul, rescue
Felix - Festus
Agrippa
Shipwreck
Malta & Rome
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Page 2 of 12
The Acts of the
Apostles
Fall 2013
Introduction
A.
In the First Book
All that Jesus began to DO and TEACH
Implications: the second book is about what Jesus CONTINUED to do…
Point: both action and words are necessary…
Preparation for the work (Acts 1:3-5)
A.
40 Days of Proof
Acts 1:3 (ESV)
3
He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs,
appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
40 days of ‘testing’ to prove the resurrection
What did Jesus do and say during that time?
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Page 3 of 12
The Acts of the
Apostles
Fall 2013
Luke
What He did after His resurrection
What He taught after His resurrection
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John
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Mark
Walked on the Emmaus road
Appeared (24:36) …showed he had
flesh and bones, and the scars, and
he ate
(24:45) Opened their minds to
understand the Scriptures
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Matthew 
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Appeared to Mary Magdalene in the
garden
Appeared to disciples in a locked
room
Appeared to Thomas to touch His
hands and side
Appeared to 7 at the sea of Tiberias
Provided a net full of fish
Cooked breakfast for them
Appeared to Mary Magdalene
Appeared to 2 of them walking into
the country
Appeared to the 11
Rebuked them for their unbelief and
hardness of heart for not believing
Worked with the apostles after His
ascension, and confirmed the
message by accompanying signs
Appeared to Mary Magdalene
Met the disciples on the Mountain
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1 Cor 15
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About Himself from the Scriptures from Moses
– Prophets
(24:44) – Everything about Him in the Law of
Moses, Prophets, and Psalms must be fulfilled
That the Christ must suffer and on the 3rd day
rise from the dead
Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be
proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning
from Jerusalem
Sending the promise of my Father
Stay in Jerusalem
That He would ascend to His Father and their
Father , to His God and their God
As the Father sent me, so I am sending you
Blessed are those that have not seen yet
believe
Peter: Feed my sheep and lambs
Peter: on his kind of death
If I wanted John to live until I return, what does
that matter to you…you Follow me…
Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to
the whole creation
Those who believe and are baptized will be
saved those who don’t will be condemned
These signs will accompany those who believe
in His name: cast out demons, speak in new
tongues, pick up serpents, drinking poison will
not harm them, lay hands on sick and they will
be healed
Jesus given all authority in heaven and on earth
Go and make disciples of all nations
Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit
Teach them to observe all I have commanded
you
I am with you to the end of the age
Appeared to Cephas
Then to the 12
Appeared to more than 500
Appeared to James
Then to all the Apostles
Point: the resurrection is critical to the message
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Page 4 of 12
The Acts of the
Apostles
Fall 2013
While Waiting
1. Commissioned to the Work (1:6-8)
A. Commands
Acts 1:4-5 (ESV)
4
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to
wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John
baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from
now.”
Lk 24:49 – same command…
When did He say this?
Baptism meaning….
B. Question (v6)
Will you at this time restore your kingdom to Israel?
What does it appear they were thinking?
Mixing the Kingdom of Israel with the Kingdom of God…
C. Answer Given (v7-8)
1. It is not for you to know the time and seasons
Why not?
Specific minute by minute (chromos – time,) controlled by God
Seasonality, periods, times of opportunity - ditto
2. BUT you will receive power
Seems they were seeking power in the kingdom…
to be able. Power, especially achieving power. All the words derived from the stem dúna– have the
meaning of being able, capable. It may even mean to will
3. You will be witnesses
evidence of the Spirit’s power in the life is to be a witness
Witness is the same word for Martyr Acts 22:20, Rev 17:6
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The Acts of the
Apostles
Fall 2013
2. Witnessed the Ascension (1:9-12)
Where else has a cloud been seen with God?
- Tabernacle
- Mt. Sinai
- Transfiguration
- Shekinah Glory of God…
His Return
He will come back in the same way he left (Zech 14:4, Rev 1:7)
Point: the hope to get us through
3. Devoted themselves to Prayer (1:13-15)
All were with one accord (one mind, agreement)
Devoting (staying close to, cleave, steadfast) themselves to prayer
With
the women
Mary the mother of Jesus
And His brothers
120 in all…the number needed to establish a new community and a new council
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Page 6 of 12
The Acts of the
Apostles
Fall 2013
4. Replaced Judas according to the Scriptures (1:15-26)
Fulfillment of Scripture – Psalm 69:25; 109:8; 41:9
Requirements:
One of the men
With them from the baptism of John
Until the ascension
Become a witness to his resurrection
Cast lots
Notice the pattern:
- Acknowledgement of Scripture
- Common Sense Application
- Prayer
- Trusting Jesus for the results
Conclusions:
To be proper witnesses we need:
1. the right message to teach (Scripture)
2. the right power for doing (Filled with the Holy Spirit)
Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church
Page 7 of 12
The Acts of the
Apostles
Fall 2013
For Next Week:
1. If you haven’t already, read through the entire book of Acts
(if you want to listen to it, try the app Bible Is or the website Bible.IS)
2. Read Acts Chapter 2
3. Read the passages in the pages that follow….then
4. Mediate on:

What is the feast of Pentecost about?
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How do the events of the Mt. Sinai compare with the events of Acts?
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How do the scriptures on the “baptism of the Spirit” and the “filling of the Spirit” compare?
How do they contrast? Are they the same event? Are they different?
Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church
Page 8 of 12
The Acts of the
Apostles
Fall 2013
Pentecost
Exodus 12:1-2 (ESV)
1
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 “This month shall be for you the
beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.
Exodus 19:1 (ESV)
1
On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day
they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
Skim through Exodus 12:1 – 32:35
Leviticus 23:15-21 (ESV)
15
“You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you
brought the sheaf of the wave offering. 16 You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh
Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the LORD. 17 You shall bring
from your dwelling places two loaves of bread to be waved, made of two tenths of an ephah.
They shall be of fine flour, and they shall be baked with leaven, as firstfruits to the LORD.
18
And you shall present with the bread seven lambs a year old without blemish, and one bull
from the herd and two rams. They shall be a burnt offering to the LORD, with their grain
offering and their drink offerings, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 19 And
you shall offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old as a sacrifice of
peace offerings. 20 And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave
offering before the LORD, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.
21
And you shall make proclamation on the same day. You shall hold a holy convocation. You
shall not do any ordinary work. It is a statute forever in all your dwelling places throughout your
generations.
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Page 9 of 12
The Acts of the
Apostles
Fall 2013
Baptism
Matthew 3:11 (ESV)
11
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose
sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Mark 1:8 (ESV)
8
I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Luke 3:16 (ESV)
16
John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming,
the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with
fire.
John 1:33 (ESV)
33
I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you
see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
Acts 1:5 (ESV)
5
for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Acts 2:38 (ESV)
38
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:47 (ESV)
47
“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we
have?”
Acts 11:16 (ESV)
16
And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be
baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
Acts 18:25 (ESV)
25
He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught
accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV)
13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were
made to drink of one Spirit.
Ephesians 4:4-7 (ESV)
4
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—
5
one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in
all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church
Page 10 of 12
The Acts of the
Apostles
Fall 2013
Filling
Exodus 31:3 (ESV)
3
and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all
craftsmanship,
Exodus 35:31 (ESV)
31
and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all
craftsmanship,
Micah 3:8 (ESV)
8
But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to
declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.
Luke 1:15 (ESV)
15
for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled
with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
Luke 1:41 (ESV)
41
And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was
filled with the Holy Spirit,
Acts 2:4 (ESV)
4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave
them utterance.
Acts 4:8 (ESV)
8
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,
Acts 4:31 (ESV)
31
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they
were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Acts 9:17 (ESV)
17
So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the
Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain
your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 13:9 (ESV)
9
But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him
Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)
18
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
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The Acts of the
Apostles
Fall 2013
Other
John 14:25-26 (ESV)
25
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But 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 that I
have said to you.
Luke 24:49 (ESV)
49
And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are
clothed with power from on high.”
Ephesians 1:13 (ESV)
13
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him,
were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
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