7-Day Commentary Challenge - Acts 1-3 Sample

 

The Need for the Commission, 1:9–11

The commission was given in view of the departure of the Lord. That ascension is described in verses 9 and 10 by three different verbs—“lifted up” (epaireo), “received” (hupolambano), and “was going” (poreuomai). As He ascended, there appeared two angels who announced the promise of His return. They declared that the same person would return in like manner (that is, in clouds and great glory, Mark 13:26). This will be fulfilled in that future day when the Lord returns during the battle of Armageddon with His own to set up His millennial and eternal kingdom (Rev. 19:11–16; cf. Zech. 12:10; 14:14).

THE RISEN LORD CHOOSING, 1:12–26

The Necessity for the Choosing, 1:12–20 After the Lord had ascended, the disciples returned to Jerusalem from nearby Mount Olivet (less than one mile—a Sabbath day’s journey). They assembled in the upper room, which many understand to have been in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. There were about 120 there altogether—including the remaining 11 apostles, Jesus’ mother and brothers (who had not believed in Him until after the resurrection, John 7:5), and some other women. They continued in prayer and supplication during the ten days between Christ’s ascension and the coming of the Spirit. As they did, Peter stood up and took charge of choosing a successor to Judas the betrayer. He reminded the group that the Old Testament Scriptures had predicted Judas’s treachery (Ps. 41:9) and that they must now choose someone to take his place.

The Nature of the Choosing, 1:21–26

First, Peter declared the qualifications necessary for an apostle. He must be a witness of the resurrection and a companion of the Lord during the whole of His public earthly ministry (vv. 21–22). Two candidates were nominated, Justus and Matthias. Then they prayed not for the Lord to choose, but for the choice that the Lord had already made to be made known to them. The two names were put on lots, placed in an urn, and then the one that first fell from the urn was taken to be the Lord’s choice. This was in accord with Old Testament practice (cf. Prov. 16:33) and is a method no longer needed by Christians with the coming of the abiding presence of the indwelling Spirit (Rom. 8:14; James 1:5). The lot fell on Matthias and from that time on he, not Paul, was considered as the twelfth apostle (cf. 2:14; 6:2). Apparently it will be Matthias who will be included in the fulfillment of such promises as Matthew 19:28 and Revelation 21:14 (though Paul is designated an apostle with authority equal to any of the Twelve).