Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.21-26 I have always found the appointment of Matthias rather odd. He is never mentioned again, except vaguely (6:2) but then neither are some of the other apostles. Was it what God intended?
It seems Peter was concerned there be a 12th apostles so that Matthew 19:28 and Luke 22:30 could be fulfilled.
Some claim that Paul was really the 12th apostle but there is not much to support this view.
v.21-26 I have always found the appointment of Matthias rather odd. He is never mentioned again, except vaguely (6:2) but then neither are some of the other apostles. Was it what God intended?
It seems Peter was concerned there be a 12th apostles so that Matthew 19:28 and Luke 22:30 could be fulfilled.
Some claim that Paul was really the 12th apostle but there is not much to support this view.
v.11 This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.
I like the specific nature of this promise, "will come back in the same way."
v.11 This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.
I like the specific nature of this promise, "will come back in the same way."
How very fortuitous that I not only come back again at the beginning of a book, but also the first book that we studied together!
I found it interesting that the "two men in white clothing" who appeared would ask them, "Why do you stand looking in the sky?" immediately after Jesus was taken up. I know if I had seen something that amazing, I'm sure I would be standing there open mouthed!
And I also wondered, as they made their way back to the upper room where they were staying, what kind of "shell shock" would I be experiencing at this point? You've just spent the better part of 3 years following Jesus around and the whole 3-Ring circus that entailed. With downright amazing and unbelievable things coming at you left and right daily and suddenly… it's gone. Over. And now it's up to us to continue it. I can imagine they were a little more than intimidated and unsure of where to begin. Which may be why they focused on finding a twelfth right away? "Hey! Here's an easy task I can do!" 🙂
I have also heard Paul considered the 12th apostle. But I'm sure that's from our perspective looking backwards at all the important things he did and left behind. From the sounds of accounts, and as we will see later in this book, Paul was a latecomer to this party and didn't really associate with the other apostles all that much. They were Focused on the jews and he was Focused on the Gentiles.
Good to see you again, Susan!
How very fortuitous that I not only come back again at the beginning of a book, but also the first book that we studied together!
I found it interesting that the "two men in white clothing" who appeared would ask them, "Why do you stand looking in the sky?" immediately after Jesus was taken up. I know if I had seen something that amazing, I'm sure I would be standing there open mouthed!
And I also wondered, as they made their way back to the upper room where they were staying, what kind of "shell shock" would I be experiencing at this point? You've just spent the better part of 3 years following Jesus around and the whole 3-Ring circus that entailed. With downright amazing and unbelievable things coming at you left and right daily and suddenly… it's gone. Over. And now it's up to us to continue it. I can imagine they were a little more than intimidated and unsure of where to begin. Which may be why they focused on finding a twelfth right away? "Hey! Here's an easy task I can do!" 🙂
I have also heard Paul considered the 12th apostle. But I'm sure that's from our perspective looking backwards at all the important things he did and left behind. From the sounds of accounts, and as we will see later in this book, Paul was a latecomer to this party and didn't really associate with the other apostles all that much. They were Focused on the jews and he was Focused on the Gentiles.
Good to see you again, Susan!
Jon, I nearly fall off my chair when I saw your name pop up on my blog!! It is good to 'see' you again, too. And good to have your comments. It has been very quiet around here.
Your explanation of the decision to appoint a 12th disciple makes a lot of sense and not something I had thought of.
Hope you can stick around, Jon.
Jon, I nearly fall off my chair when I saw your name pop up on my blog!! It is good to 'see' you again, too. And good to have your comments. It has been very quiet around here.
Your explanation of the decision to appoint a 12th disciple makes a lot of sense and not something I had thought of.
Hope you can stick around, Jon.
v.1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach.
"Began" The gospels were only the beginnng. Jesus continues to do and to teach in this present age. And as his followers we need to be open to what he wants to do and teach.
v.1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach.
"Began" The gospels were only the beginnng. Jesus continues to do and to teach in this present age. And as his followers we need to be open to what he wants to do and teach.
v.4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
God gets his people to the right place at the right time. God has a plan which needs us to be where he wants us to be.
v.4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
God gets his people to the right place at the right time. God has a plan which needs us to be where he wants us to be.
v.1 …Jesus began to do and to teach
Interesting that first Jesus did and then he taught. We create problems when we try to teach without experience.
v.1 …Jesus began to do and to teach
Interesting that first Jesus did and then he taught. We create problems when we try to teach without experience.
v.8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
(From Constable’s Commentary) "they were not to be theologians, or philosophers, or leaders, but witnesses."
The power of a personal testimony is huge.
v.8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
(From Constable’s Commentary) "they were not to be theologians, or philosophers, or leaders, but witnesses."
The power of a personal testimony is huge.