Act 1 | MHM | STEP | The Ascension of Jesus and the Promise of the Holy Spirit Luke, the author of Acts, begins by reminding Theophilus of his former book, the Gospel of Luke, in which he recorded all that Jesus began to do and teach. He shows that Christ’s work was not finished at his ascension, but was to be continued through the apostles, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Luke wants to give an account of the acts of the apostles after Jesus’ resurrection, showing the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to the world. v. 1 : Luke addresses Theophilus and refers to his first account (the Gospel of Luke), which described all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day he was taken up to heaven. He emphasizes that Jesus’ ministry did not end with his ascension, but that he laid the foundation for the apostles to continue his work. This shows that Christ’s teaching and actions were the beginning of God’s plan to save people, and now the apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, are to carry on this mission ( In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach [ Acts 1:1 ]).

‏ Acts 1

The Ascension of Jesus and the Promise of the Holy Spirit

Luke, the author of Acts, begins by reminding Theophilus of his former book, the Gospel of Luke, in which he recorded all that Jesus began to do and teach. He shows that Christ’s work was not finished at his ascension, but was to be continued through the apostles, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Luke wants to give an account of the acts of the apostles after Jesus’ resurrection, showing the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to the world.

v. 1: Luke addresses Theophilus and refers to his first account (the Gospel of Luke), which described all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day he was taken up to heaven. He emphasizes that Jesus’ ministry did not end with his ascension, but that he laid the foundation for the apostles to continue his work. This shows that Christ’s teaching and actions were the beginning of God’s plan to save people, and now the apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, are to carry on this mission (In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach [ Acts 1:1 ^a]).

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The Ascension and the Promise of the Holy Spirit

After Jesus’ resurrection, the apostles gathered with him and still expected that he would restore Israel’s kingdom in a political sense. This section shows their misunderstanding and Jesus’ correction. Instead of giving them political power, Jesus points them to the spiritual work they must do and promises the power of the Holy Spirit for that mission. The focus shifts from earthly kingdoms to spreading the gospel to all nations.

v. 6: The disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" Acts 1:6 ^b). They were still thinking about a political or national restoration, expecting the Messiah to give them back their earthly kingdom. This shows that even after Jesus’ resurrection, the apostles did not fully understand his spiritual mission. Their hope was still fixed on a visible, earthly kingdom, rather than the spiritual kingdom of God that Jesus taught about.

v. 7: Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority” (Acts 1:7 ^c). He tells them that God alone decides when and how his plans are fulfilled. The timing of God’s kingdom is his secret. We should not be too curious about the future, but focus on what God has given us to do now. Jesus redirects their attention from their own desires to God's will and timing.

v. 8: Instead of giving them political power, Jesus promises spiritual power: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 ^d). Jesus tells them that the Holy Spirit will come to give them courage and strength. Their main task is to be witnesses for Jesus, telling others about him, starting in Jerusalem and spreading out to the whole world. The real “restoration” is not political, but spiritual—the gospel reaching all people everywhere.

v. 9: After saying this, Jesus was taken up before their eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight . This was the ascension. It shows that Jesus’ work on earth was done, and now he reigns in heaven. The disciples had to learn to trust Jesus even though they could no longer see him.

v. 10–11: While the disciples were looking up into the sky, two angels appeared and told them that Jesus would return in the same way they had seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:10–11 ^e). The angels remind them not to stand gazing into heaven, but to remember Jesus’ promise to return. Meanwhile, they are to get ready for the work he has given them—spreading the message of Jesus to the world.

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The Apostles in Jerusalem

This section describes what the apostles did after Jesus ascended to heaven. It explains where Jesus left the earth, where the disciples went, who was with them, and how they spent their time as they waited for the Holy Spirit. The disciples followed Jesus’ instructions, stayed together, and prayed with one heart. Their unity and devotion set an example for all believers.

v. 12: Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives, near Bethany (Luke 24:50 ^f). This is the same place where he began his suffering (Luke 22:39 ^g), and now he left in glory from there. This fulfilled the prophecy, His feet shall stand upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4 ^h). The Mount of Olives is close to Jerusalem, about a “Sabbath day’s journey”—a short distance that people could walk on the Sabbath (about 2,000 cubits, see Joshua 3:4 ⁱ and 2 Kings 4:23 ^j). This rule helped people remember to rest on the Sabbath but allowed for necessary travel.

v. 13: The disciples returned to Jerusalem as Jesus told them, even though it was a place where they had enemies. God protected them, and they met in an upper room. Some people think this was the same room where they ate the Passover, maybe in the house of John Mark’s mother (Acts 13). It was a private place where they could gather safely, even though they also went to the temple to pray (Luke 24:53 ^k).

v. 14: The eleven apostles were together with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and other relatives of Jesus. This is the last time the Bible mentions Mary. There were also many other followers with them, probably including the seventy disciples Jesus had sent out earlier. Altogether, about 120 people were there (Acts 1:15 ^l).

They all continued together in prayer and supplication. Even though they had much to fear, they chose to pray. Prayer was how they handled trouble and prepared for the work Jesus gave them. They prayed often and for a long time, trusting God’s promise to send the Holy Spirit. Jesus had prayed for them before sending them out, and now they prayed for themselves (Luke 3:21 ^m). God wants us to pray for promised blessings, and the closer we are to seeing them, the more we should pray (Matthew 18:19 ⁿ). They also prayed with one heart, showing love and unity. When believers are united like this, they are best prepared to receive God’s help and blessing. Praise and prayer went together for them—they thanked God for his promises while praying for their fulfillment (Luke 24:53 ^o).

The Choosing of Matthias

After Jesus' ascension, the believers gathered together in Jerusalem. They were united in prayer as they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus had promised. It was during this time of waiting that an important decision had to be made about the group of apostles. This section introduces the process of selecting a replacement for Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed Jesus and died as a result.

v. 15: At this time, Peter stood up among the believers, who numbered about 120 people. He addressed the group with authority, showing his leadership among them. Peter explained that Scripture had to be fulfilled regarding Judas. He reminded everyone that the Holy Spirit, through David, had foretold what would happen to Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus (He was counted among us and received a share in this ministry Acts 1:17 ^p).

v. 16–17: Peter said that Judas had been one of the apostles, sharing in their ministry, but he had chosen a different path by betraying Jesus. Judas' end was tragic—he bought a field with the money he received for his betrayal, and there he died in a terrible way (Acts 1:18 ^q).

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v. 18–19: The field where Judas died became known as "the Field of Blood" to everyone living in Jerusalem. This fulfilled what was written in the book of Psalms: Let his dwelling become desolate, let no one live in it, and Let another take his position (Psalm 69:25; 109:8 ^r).

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v. 20–22: Peter explained that it was necessary to choose someone to take Judas' place as an apostle. The new apostle had to be someone who had been with the group from the time of John the Baptist until Jesus' ascension, so he could be a witness with them to Jesus' resurrection. Two men were nominated: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.

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v. 23–26: The believers prayed, asking God to show them which of the two men he had chosen. They cast lots, a common way at that time to seek God's decision, and the lot fell to Matthias. So Matthias was added to the eleven apostles, making the number of apostles twelve again, just as it had been before Judas' betrayal.