Acts 1

Compilation of notes from my group: 

Acts 1:1–4

Luke 24:25–27, 36–53

AFTER Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus taught His disciples the following to prepare them to become true apostles.

1. Jesus rebuked them by reminding them the things about the Christ spoken by the prophets. Jesus went through the Scriptures and showed them how He was the Christ (Luke 24:25-27). When Jesus joined them for dinner, gave thanks and broke the bread, Jesus finally opened their eyes, and they realized that Jesus, our Lord, had truly risen from death, defeated death, and was very much alive (Luke 24:30-32).

2. Jesus showed them His hands and feet, allowed them to touch Him, therefore calming His disciples. Jesus also told them not to be troubled or to have doubts, for it was prophesied that the Christ must first suffer before entering into His glory (Luke 24:37-39). Jesus indeed suffered through the crucifixion, died, and was resurrected! The Jesus who reappeared was not a ghost. The Jesus who reappeared had flesh and bones. The Jesus who reappeared had conquered death and is very much alive today!

3. Jesus reminded the disciples again, “EVERYTHING must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” Jesus then opened the disciples’ eyes, and they finally understood what those Scriptures meant. And again, Jesus reminded them, “The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to ALL nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised” (Luke 24: 44-49). And that is the essential meaning of the word, “apostle”—the sent one. The 12 apostles of Jesus Christ were sent by Jesus to teach the world about repentance and forgiveness of sins.

4. Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, Jesus blessed His disciples, who are now ready to become full apostles of Jesus Christ (Luke 24: 50-52).

As Christians, we are to continue to carry out the same mission: to teach the world about repentance and forgiveness of sins. Just like Jesus fulfilled EVERYTHING that was written about Him in the Scriptures, so too would His Will. Before going back to Heaven, He told His disciples that repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to ALL nations. This will be done, and who better equipped to do so than us Christians? 


Luke 24

John 20:19–29; 21:1–14

The following are “convincing proofs” of Jesus’ bodily resurrection: 

- When they rolled the stone away from the tomb, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus (Luke 24:2-3).

- Two angels told them that Jesus is not in the tomb but has risen. They also reminded them that Jesus will be risen on the third day after He was delivered over to the hands of sinners. Peter looked into the tomb and saw strips of linen that was used to cover Jesus lying by themselves (Luke 24:4-7, Luke 24:12, Luke 24:22-24)

- Jesus appeared before them after His death. He then walked, talked and ate with them (Luke 24:13-35). He show them His hands and feet. They also touched Him and He ate in front of them (Luke 24:36:42). Also John 20:19-23.

- The resurrected Jesus bear the scars of His crucifixion; the resurrected Jesus had flesh and bones: Jesus appeared before Thomas. He told Thomas to reach out his hand and touch Him. He told Thomas to stop doubting and believe (Luke 24:26-27).

- Jesus appeared to His disciples and helped them with the miraculous catch of fish after He was raised from the dead (John 21:1-14).

The Bible does not directly reveal why Jesus waited with the disciples forty days after His resurrection before going to Heaven. Hence, we will never really know until Jesus tells us Himself when we see Him again in Heaven. However, there are some interesting correlations that have been taught by many Biblical scholars. Forty is a number used repeatedly throughout the Bible for a period of trials and testing. For example, Israel was tested for 40 years in the desert; Jonah was trapped in the belly of a fish for 40 days; Moses was tested on Mount Sinai for 40 days. Based on these events, we can correlate that the 40 days Jesus spent with the disciples was a period of time to test the faithfulness of His disciples—and indeed, their faithfulness was tested. Also, it may even be a period of time to test the "validity" of Jesus' resurrection and His claim that He is God! I think it is also an opportunity for Jesus to prepare His disciples before He sends them out to the world, preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins.

To sum up:

1. Forty days and forty nights in the bible usually represents a period of trial. The apostles were being tested for their faith in Jesus Christ. 

2. Jesus Christ is also protecting them from being tempted by the devil. Jesus Christ goes on to warn them to not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I think it is because the devil cannot enter the Holy City of Jerusalem. However, once they leave Jerusalem, the devil can harm or tempt them. The Holy Spirit will have the power to guide and protect them. 

Zondervan NIV footnote:

*Genesis 7:4 forty days and forty nights. A length of time often characterizing a critical period in redemptive history (see v.12; Dt 9:11, Mt 4:1-11)

*Matthew 4:2 forty days and forty nights. The number recalls the experiences of Moses (Ex 24:18, 34:28) and Elijah (1Ki 19:8), as well as the 40 years of Israel's temptation (testing) in the desert (see note on v.1)

*Matthew 4:1 led by the Spirit... to be tempted. This testing of Jesus (the Greek verb translated "tempted" can also be rendered "tested"), which was divinely intended, has as its primary background Dt 8:1-5, from which Jesus also quotes in his first reply to the devil (see v. 4 and NIV text note). There Moses recalls how the Lord led the Israelites in the desert 40 years "to humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands" (Dt 8:2). Here at the beginning of his ministry Jesus is subjected to a similar test and shows himself to be the true Israelite who lives "on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD" (Dt 8:3). And whereas Adam failed the great test and plunged the whole race into sin (Ge 3), Jesus was faithful and thus demonstrated his qualification to become the Savior of all who receive him. It was, moreover, important that Jesus be tested/tempted as Israel and we are, so that he could become our "merciful and faithful high priest" (Heb 2:17; see not there) and thus be "able to help those who are being tempted" (Heb 2:18, see Heb 4:15-16). Finally, as the one who remained faithful in temptation he became the models for all believers when they are tempted. by the devil. God surely tests his people, but it is the devil who tempts to evil (see notes on Ge 22:1; Jas 1:13; see also 1Jn 3:8; Rev 2:9-10 and notes; Rev 12:9-10). Like the Hebrew for "Satan," the Greek for "devil" means "accuser" or "slanderer." The devil is a personal being, not a mere force or influence. He is the great archenemy of God and the leader of the hosts of darkness.

*Acts 1:8 A virtual outline of Acts: The apostles were to be witnesses in Jerusalem (chs. 1-7), Judea and Samaria (chs. 8-9) and the ends of the earth - including Caesarea, Antioch, Asia Minor, Greece and Rome (chs. 10-28). However, they were not to begin this staggering task until they had been equipped with the power of the Spirit (vv. 4-5). my witnesses. An important theme throughout Acts (2:32, 3:15; 5:32; 10:39, 13:31, 22:15). Judea. The region in which Jerusalem was located. Samaria. The adjoining region to the north. 


Acts 1:4–8

Jesus told His disciples to wait for the gift promised by God before leaving Jerusalem. His disciples would be baptized with the Holy Spirit before going out to the world to do God’s work as witnesses of Jesus Christ. 


John 14:17

Before Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit was WITH them in the form of Jesus. After Jesus' acension, the Holy Spirit was IN them.

Before, the disciples did not need the Holy Spirit in them because Jesus was physically with them and helping them. After Jesus ascended to heaven, the Father gave them another advocate to help them and be with them forever. This advocate is the Spirit of truth, which is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit know Jesus Christ who lives with them and is in them.

Hence, after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the disciples were baptized with the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, the disciples were able to remain connected to Jesus, for Jesus will always live in them, and they in Jesus. Thus through the Holy Spirit, the disciples were continuously guided by Jesus.

Zondervan NIV footnote:

* John 14:17 Spirit of truth. In essence and in action the Spirit is characterized by truth. He brings people to the truth of God. All three persons of the Trinity are linked with truth. See also the Father (see 4:24 and note; cf. Ps 31:5; Isa 65:16 and note) and the Son (see v. 6 and note). The world. Which takes no notice of the Spirit of God (see notes on 1:9; 1Co 2:14). But the Spirit was "with" Jesus' disciples and would be "in" them. Some believe the latter relationship (indwelling) specifically anticipates the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (see Ac 1:2, 2:4, 17, 38 and notes; cf. Ro 8:9)

For non-believers, it is possible for them to be surrounded by the Holy Spirit and have the Holy Spirit be WITH them. But, in order for the Holy Spirit to enter any one of us, we must first repent of our sins and accept Jesus' blood as a means to wash us of our sins. We will then be baptized with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit will enter our bodies and dwell IN us. 

Therefore, when we accept that we are sinners and ask for Jesus to come into our lives, we are immediately baptized with the Holy Spirit. Hence, from that moment on, the Holy Spirit will always be “with” us. However, if we do not develop our abilities to LISTEN to the Holy Spirit and continue to behave based on our own selfish needs and wants instead, then we can be said to not have the Holy Spirit “in” us.

I think the most important decision any human has to make during his/her time on this world is the decision to follow Jesus. Why? Because this is the ONLY decision that affects our ETERNAL lives! We make a horrible economic decision and end up on the streets, BUT we die in Christ—Guess what? We die a rich man/woman BECAUSE OF CHRIST! Conversely, we make billions despite economic downturn, but we refuse to receive the Grace of God—We suffer eternal death because of the LACK OF CHRIST.

I would thus hope that all of us make the decision to follow Christ, for there is no one more gracious or more loving than God. There is absolutely no reason at all for not accepting the gift of Grace from God.

I also hope that once we receive this gift, we continue to grow and mature as Christians. Making the decision to become a Christian is just the beginning. Being a dutiful disciple, that takes a lifetime’s worth of learning and work. And so, I encourage us all that once we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, we continue to pray for guidance and to pray for God to SHOW us HOW to follow Him, HOW to listen to Him, HOW to learn from His guidance. We are God’s people doing God’s work, not God’s people continuing to satisfy our own selfish gains. And to do God’s work, we need to master our ability to LISTEN to the Holy Spirit with our hearts.

And so, I hope that we make that first choice to have the Holy Spirit be “with” us and that we continue to mature as Christians by keeping the Holy Spirit “in” us. 


Acts 1:4–11

Romans 8:9, 14–16

1 Corinthians 12:13

2 Corinthians 1:21–22

Galatians 4:6

Once we receive Christ, we become baptized with the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit testifies that we belong to Christ and we are God's children (Romans 8:9, 14-16). The Holy Spirit is God's seal of ownership on us; the Holy spirit is a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). 


Acts 4:8, 31; 6:3–4

Ephesians 5:18
Baptized with the Holy Spirit = washed of all our sins
Filled with the Holy Spirit = received the power of the Spirit

“Baptized with the Holy Spirit” happens when a person accepts Jesus Christ as his/her savior and asks for Jesus to come into his/her life. “Filled with the Holy Spirit” happens when a person is inspired. That is, when the Holy Spirit manifests in a person to guide him/her in an event or a decision or to reveal insight of what’s to come. Baptism with the Holy Spirit therefore happens once—at the moment when a person decides to let Christ into his/her life. Filling with the Holy Spirit can occur multiple times during a lifetime of a Christian’s life. Through prayers, we can ask for guidance. And when we receive the guidance we’ve prayed for, we are often filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus told His disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them and that they would be His witnesses throughout the world (Acts 1:8). The “proof” of power given through the Holy Spirit is exhibited through the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11): Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different kind of tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

When Jesus was taken up before their eyes, the disciples were probably stunned and could not believe that Jesus was really just taken up into Heaven. Whatever the reason, they could not stop looking intently up into the sky.


The two men in white came and encouraged the disciples that Jesus will come back. The disciples should therefore stop staring up into the sky and get going on fulfilling the mission Jesus had told them to: Be Jesus' witnesses and speak about repentance and the forgiveness of sins throughout the world. 


Acts 1:12–26

The disciples prayed together as a family, including the women family members. This shows that although personal prayers are critical to building a personal relationship between oneself and God, praying in a group with fellow Christians is just as critical. Group prayers are stronger than personal prayers, in the sense that 10 prayers in sync is "louder" than 1 prayer. (This does NOT mean personal prayers are therefore less important and ignored by God. All prayers are heard by God.) Group prayers also help build strong fellowship between Christians.

Groups prayers are often employed during great times of stress, such as prayers of healing for loved ones who might be dying of illnesses. Here, I think the disciples were praying for guidance in regards to their mission. They had just lost their most beloved leader and had been given a very difficult mission: To spread the Word of Jesus Christ in a hostile world, a world that readily killed (and still does) Christians for their beliefs. If I were in their shoes, I would be filled with excitement because I am ready to fight for Jesus and bring down Satan. On the other hand, I would also be very frightened because of what I am about to face. And so, I would need to pray for God’s guidance and protection and would certainly benefit much from the support of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Anything we do, including choosing people for leadership, should be guided by God, and this is shown through how the apostles chose their leaders. For example, the apostles PRAYED,"Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs" (Acts 1:24-25). The apostles didn't just went and took a vote on who they or the people thought should lead and named them leaders. They prayed to God for guidance and asked God to SHOW them who should be their leaders.

I thus don’t think we should lead God’s people if we are not inspired by God to lead. Human beings are flawed, and we can be very easily defeated by our emotions. Moses did not want to lead--He was ready to give up even before he began! But, he was chosen by God, and God wanted no one else. God had to convince Moses multiple times before Moses finally and reluctantly agreed to do what was asked of him. Similarly, Jonah did not want to preach to the people of Ninevah and had to endure so many hardships before he finally—and also reluctantly—did what was asked of him. Leading is very hard, and when things don’t go according to what "man" wants, the group is very likely going to rebel and turn on its leader. This happened quite a number of times to Moses, who had to pray time and time again for God’s support and guidance. From Acts 1 and also from other lessons taught throughout the Bible, I thus believe in order to effectively lead God’s people and do God’s work, we need to be inspired by the Holy Spirit, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. If we do God’s work without the Holy Spirit, if we TRY to do God's work by ourselves, we will very easily be defeated because we are not strong enough to face the difficulties on our own. And that's why I said "try" because we will fail without God. Without God's inspiration, we're not doing God's work! We would most likely be fulfilling our own selfish needs by using "doing God's work" as an excuse.