The acts of the apostles after the ascension of Jesus

                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                    Part  2

 

                                                                                                                                           33AD

In our 1st. lesson about the beginning of the church, we saw Jesus ascending to heaven from the Mt. Of Olives while the desciples watched and were probably amazed.  We also learned that they remained in Jerusalem as Jesus commanded until the coming of the Holy spirit on Pentecost.

Pentecost is celebrated seven weeks or 7 x7(49 days ) after Easter,  also known as resurrection Sunday, hence its name.

Here again we see the importance of 7 in Gods plan. Pentecost falls on the tenth day after Ascension Thursday.

 

Pentecost is historically and symbolically related to the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which commemorates God giving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai fifty days after the Exodus from the bondage of Egypt.  At that point, the Jews were no longer in spiritual bondage and slavery to Egypt.  God had freed them. He also set up the year of Jubilee that the Jews were to keep every 50 yrs.  All debt was to be canceled every 50 yrs., so the poor in Israel would be debt free.

Here in the book of acts we see the Holy Spirit coming to Christians on the 50th day after the ascension to set us free from bondage to the flesh, the world, death and the devil. You will notice that Shavuot or Pentecost is associated with the harvest in Israel.  Pentecost also, in the new testament, began the harvest of souls (or grain) and the harvest of  first fruits into the kingdom of God.  Jesus spoke of this when he described the white harvest into Gods kingdom.

Pentecost now also commemorates the descent of the Holy spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus as described in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2 in the New Testament.  For this reason, Pentecost is sometimes described as "the Church's birthday".

We see again the importance of number patterns in God's plan of the ages in both the old and new testament, and how things in the old testament have their more complete fulfillment in the new Testament.

The Pentecostal movement of Christianity derives its name from this biblical event. 

 

It is commonly believed by most Bible scholars that the book of Luke and Acts were both written by Luke, a friend and companion of the apostle Paul.  The events in the book of Acts covers the period from from 33ad when Jesus ascended back to heaven, to 62ad or approximently 29 yrs.  Nowhere in the book of Acts does it mention the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish temple.  We can, therefore, asume that it covered the history of the early church and deeds of the apostles before the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple by the Roman armies under general Titus in the year 70ad.  The book of Acts was finished by Luke 8 yrs. before the fall off Jerusalem.  

 

In 33ad Jesus spoke these words to his disciples, Luke 21:20: and when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed about with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.  Luke 21st chp  Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains and let them which are in the midst of it depart out, and let not them that are in the countries enter there into.  For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  23. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days !  for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all  nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

The Jews that accepted Jesus as Messiah remembered the above warning that he gave.  When in 70AD they saw the armies of Rome come against Jerusalem, they fled the country. They survived and spread the Gospel in other countries. As for the rest of the Jewish nation, many were taken in to slavery and sold.  They were scattered all over the world even until now.   This happened because they rejected their Messiah. 

God began to regather them again into their own land of Israel after world war two.  He promised in 37th chp. of Ezekiel that he would bring them back.  We have seen God fulfilling that promise in our days.  That means the times of the Gentiles, or the Church age, is about fulfilled.

 

Now lets take a look at some of the acts of the apostles as they began to obey Jesus.  He told them,  in what is called the great commission,  just before he ascended to heaven, to preach the Gospel in the whole world baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  He said "he that believes shall be saved and he that believes not shall be dammed."  or  ( go to Hell ) He also said 'I am with you always even unto the end of the age'. 

Please read or listen to chps. 3 and 4 below.  Then return and study with us as we continue this series in the lives of the apostles and the history of the early church.  In this series we will try to cover the whole book of Acts.      Bill Hicks

 

 

 

Back to Homepage
Bible: King James Version
Listen / Read the Bible in 365 Days
Audio Sermon Library
FAQ / Software
About Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa Online

Acts


 

1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Back to Homepage
Bible: King James Version
Listen / Read the Bible in 365 Days
Audio Sermon Library
FAQ / Software
About Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa Online

Acts


 

1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.