Acts 1:1-26
Continuing Christ’s Work
The Ascension
Acts serves as the crucial bridge between the Gospels and Epistles, uniquely documenting the early church's transformation from Jewish to Gentile faith. Written by Luke, a Gentile physician and Paul's companion, around 60-62 AD, the book provides an outsider's perspective on the church's development.
Acts 1 establishes two pivotal events: Jesus's ascension with His final instructions about the coming Holy Spirit, and the Spirit-led process of replacing Judas. The chapter demonstrates key principles of early church leadership: reliance on Scripture (using Psalms 69 and 109), collaborative decision-making, and seeking divine guidance through prayer and casting lots.
The chapter highlights the unique sequence of Holy Spirit baptism in the early church compared to modern practice, and emphasizes the distributed leadership model that contrasts with today's more hierarchical structures. Throughout, Luke emphasizes the Holy Spirit's essential role in guiding and empowering the apostles' decisions and actions.
Acts 1:1-11
Summary
Stephen Armstrong's sermon focuses on Acts 1:1-11. The sermon first discusses Luke's introduction to Acts, highlighting the purpose and significance of the book, and how it serves as a bridge between the Gospel of Luke and the story of the apostles. Armstrong then delves into Jesus' instructions to the apostles, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in delivering these instructions and ensuring their understanding.
The sermon also analyzes the disciples' question about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, and Jesus' response regarding the power they would receive through the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses.
Finally, Armstrong describes the ascension of Jesus, noting the disciples' confusion and the angel's reassurance about His return, leaving listeners to ponder the implications of Jesus' coming in the same way.
Acts 1:12-26
Summary
Stephen Armstrong's sermon explores the biblical account of Judas's betrayal and death, and the subsequent selection of Matthias to replace him as the 12th apostle.
The sermon begins by analyzing the location and actions of the apostles in Jerusalem after Jesus' ascension, highlighting the presence of Jesus's brothers and mother. Armstrong then focuses on Peter's initiative in addressing the need for a replacement for Judas. He discusses the graphic details of Judas's death, emphasizing their purpose in fulfilling scripture and signifying a just punishment.
Armstrong examines the scriptural references Peter uses to justify the replacement, particularly Psalm 69 and 109, which he interprets as prophecies about Judas's fate and the need for a new apostle. The sermon concludes by discussing the method of casting lots to choose Matthias, arguing that this method was a valid way for the early church to discern God's will before the Holy Spirit's indwelling at Pentecost, but that such methods are no longer necessary for believers today who have the Holy Spirit living within them.
Acts 1:1-9
This sermon is special to me because it initiated a series Dr. Adrian Rogers did in 2003 at Bellevue Baptist Church on the Book of Acts during which I came to Christ. Here is a short Blog about how Paul’s journeys unlocked the Bible for me.
