Friday, May 17 - Acts 1

Things that Jump out at Me or Questions that I have

1.    (v. 3)  What "convincing proofs" did Jesus offer to His disciples?  Is Luke, the writer of Acts, referring to the many times that Jesus appeared to them, or is there something further Jesus does to solidify their confidence that He really is alive (i.e. like He offers Thomas the opportunity to put his hands where the nails were)? 

2.  (v. 3)  Another one of the many times the number forty is used.  40 days of flooding.  40 years of wandering for Israel.  40 days and nights on Mt. Sinai for Moses.  40 days of fasting for Jesus.  This 40 seems again to refer to a time of preparation.  The disciples are being readied for their task of proclaiming the Gospel.

3.   (v. 8)  The Greek word for "power" has the same core as the word for "dynamite."  The rest of the book of Acts shows how the Gospel "explodes" into the world and transforms lives everywhere.

4.  (v. 10)  I never quite caught that while Jesus was rising into heaven, that angels came to the disciples on the ground, stood beside them, and offered them further words of encouragement.  I'm guessing these are the same angels that were at the empty tomb and declared, "why do you look for the living among the dead?"  Their questions, in both cases, impel their hearers to action.   "Get going, you have work to do."

5.   (v. 14)  Note the constant prayer that characterizes the beginning of the disciples activity.  Note also the presence of Jesus' mother and brothers.

6.   (v. 15)  Peter wastes no time in heeding Jesus' call in John 21 to "feed my sheep."  He emerges right away as a leader and encourages the group to replace Judas.  Note the criteria used to make this addition:  a)  one who was with the disciples while Jesus was among them, b)  one who was a witness of the resurrection  c) one who God chooses through the guidance of prayer and also the casting of lots.