Acts chapter one
“The former history I compiled O Theophilus, concerning all things which Jesus began to do and teach.” (Acts 1:1 Diaglott) Luke is referring to the previous letter which he had sent to his friend, known to us as the gospel of ‘Luke. Theophilus is referred to as “most excellent”. This is a title of social degree and not a moral degree. Such a title is given to Felix and Festus. (Acts 23:26) “the most excellent governor”. Acts 24:3, “most noble Festus”. We can presume then that this man held a high official rank in the land. This friendship could have formed from a visit by Luke as a physician to this man.
Before Luke pens events which happened in the lives of some of the apostles, and the effect of the message of the gospel on the world, he recaps his concluding remarks from his previous letter (Acts 1:1 to 12). Such an introduction fuses together the two letters.
Forty days to prepare
From the event of Christ’s resurrection to the ascension he had forty days in which to prepare his apostles for the task which lay ahead of them, for they were to be witnesses of him (verse three). The number forty in the scriptures is always associated with a period of probation. This period of probation can be a time of trial, such as the nation of Israel in the wilderness. (Numbers 14: 33 to 34, “And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years”). Probation by “prosperity” (Judges 8:28, “And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon”). Probation by “service” (Judges 13:1, “delivered them into the hands of the Philistines forty years”). Probation by “waiting” (Acts 7:23, 30, “and when forty years were expired there appeared to him (Moses) in the wilderness”.)
The forty days then for the apostles was a time of probation, a time of waiting, when they would receive the “comforter”, the gift of the Holy Spirit. A period of trial and preparation for the task which lay ahead of them. Their training and education came in the manner described in verse three.
“To whom also he presented himself living, after his (passion) suffering, by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking the things concerning the Kingdom of God”.
It was necessary for them to believe that the Messiah, the Savior their Lord, though crucified on the cross had risen from the dead. In their preaching, this message of the hope of resurrection through Christ would be to the forefront at all times. By many infallible proofs, Christ convinced them that this was so. We but refer to a few at this time: — The two men walking to Emmaus, and Christ joined them after his body had been lying in the tomb for three days, (cp. Luke 24:13 to 31). Thomas was told to touch Christ and see with his own eyes the marks of his crucifixion, (cp. John 20:24 to 31). Paul later on reminds us in I Cor. 15:6, “Christ appeared to more than five hundred brethren at once.
During those precious days, Jesus avoided the multitudes and devoted his time to the teaching of his apostles those things concerning his heavenly Father, and his kingdom.
Further assistance
When he had left them, they would be further assisted, Jesus told them, by the receiving of the power of the Holy Spirit. Verse four — “And assembling them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard from me”. (Diaglott) It was with regards to this gift that Jesus had spoken before to them, “But the comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, what-so-ever I have said unto you (cp. John 14:26). On another occasion Jesus taught them that unless he went away, they would not receive this gift of the spirit, (cp. John 16:7).
This gift which they received on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) would not alone perfect their understanding, but by its use they would be able to perform miracles etc., proving to their audiences that God was a witness unto them. The importance of receiving this power of the Holy Spirit later on is emphasized, when we read the verses which carry on from verse six. Whilst they realized that, to the setting up of the kingdom the restoration of Israel as a nation was of vital importance, they had not fully understood the teaching of Christ, “that I must go away”. That he must go away and come again before such prophecy would become reality. They asked him the question then, “Lord, wilt thou at this time, restore the kingdom to Israel?” Remembering the covenant made at Sinai, “Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation”, (cp. Exodus 19:6) it was their desire now to see its fulfillment and the establishment of the kingdom of God, bringing about the overthrow of the Roman empire. To such a question Jesus says, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His power”. (Verse seven) The uncertainty as to the time of “the end” is the most healthy state for disciples of Christ, it tends to create the desire to live this day as if the last.
Being assembled on Mount Olives with Jesus, he gave them their commission, verse eight, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”.
When he had spoken these things, he was taken up into the heavens, and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Bewildered and Confused
The understanding of the apostles was still not clear; with their Lord lost to sight they stood huddled together, a bewildered, confused group of men. It was the two angels who stood beside them that broke the silence, asking them the question, “Ye men of Galilee, don’t you remember the things Jesus taught you? Then they go on to say, “This same Jesus, which is taken up into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (cp. verse 11).
This majestic range of mountains known as “Mount Olivet” or “Mount of Olives” has stood as a silent witness to many historical events connected with the people of God. During the ministry of Christ he visited there often. After the passover feast he went there with his apostles (cp. Luke 23:39). At the descent of this ridge of mountains, Jesus wept as he beheld the city of Jerusalem, realizing the attitude of Israel towards him, and what the future held for them. (cp. Luke 19:37). Mount Olivet is yet to witness another great event which has become the daily prayer of all true believers, for its fulfillment. Zechariah 14:4, “And his feet shall stand in that day upon Mount of Olives”. This prophesy is the fulfillment of the promise made by the angels to the apostles, at the ascension of Jesus unto the heavens.
With the departure of the angels from their presence, the apostles, conscious of their commission, returned to Jerusalem to fulfill its first part, to wait for the gift of the “comforter”.
Disciples of Christ in this generation are also on probation, a time of waiting, a time of preparing oneself. A similar commission has been given to them, to preach the glad tidings of the name of Jesus Christ, and those things concerning the kingdom of God. So they must wait, prepare, and be of service until the cry goes forth, “The Lord has Come”.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One