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., The Reign of Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit (1:12:47), The Lord Re-Establishes the Full Number of Apostles (1:1226), The Lord Reigns and Has Sent the Promised Holy Spirit (2:147), The Reign of Christ the Lord over the Temple System (3:18:3), The All-Sufficiency of Jesus Contrasted with the Temple (3:126), Jesuss Authority Contrasted with the Temple Authorities (4:122), The Apostles Teaching about Jesus Contrasted with the Temple Authorities (5:1242), The Leadership of the Apostles Averts Another Internal Threat (6:17), Culmination of Rising Opposition and Clarification of Jesuss Fulfilment of the Temple (6:88:3), The Reign of Christ the Lord over Outcasts and Enemies (8:49:31), The Inclusion of Outcasts: (a) Samaritans (8:425), The Inclusion of Outcasts: (b) a Eunuch (8:2640), The Inclusion of Saul the Persecutor (9:119), Saul the Persecutor Has Become Saul the Proclaimer (9:1922), Saul the Persecutor Has Become Saul the Persecuted (9:2331), The Reign of Christ the Lord over All Nations (9:3212:25), Peter, an Authentic Messenger of Christ (9:3243), The Divine Purpose to Bring the Gospel to Cornelius and His Gentile Household (10:148), Jewish Believers in Judea Are Convinced That God Granted the Gentiles Repentance (11:118), The Establishment and Strengthening of a Church with Gentiles in (Syrian) Antioch (11:1930), The Reign of King Herod (Agrippa I) Comes to an End (12:125), The Reign of Christ the Lord Proclaimed to the Nations: Part 1 (Acts 13:116:5), Clarification in Jerusalem: Salvation by Grace through Repentance and Faith (15:116:5), The Reign of Christ the Lord Proclaimed to the Nations: Part 2 (16:621:36), The Macedonian Ministry: One People under One Lord (16:617:15), The Achaean Ministry: The Sovereign Lord and Savior (17:1618:17), The Ephesian Ministry: The True Word of the Lord vs the gods (18:1819:41), The Reign of Christ the Lord Vindicated before the Rulers (Acts 21:3728:31), Pauls Conversion Account before the Crowd in Jerusalem (21:3722:29), Pauls Defense before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (22:3023:11), The Trial before Felix in Caesarea (24:127), The Trial before Festus in Caesarea (25:127), The Trial before Festus and Herod Agrippa II in Caesarea (26:132), Journey from Caesarea to Rome (27:128:16), Proclamation to the Jewish Leaders in Rome (28:1731), One Lord, One People: The Unity of the Church in Acts in Its Literary Setting, The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus: Lukes Account of Gods Unfolding Plan, Paul as Pastor in Acts: Modelling and Teaching Perseverance in the Faith., Unity in Acts: Idealization or Reality?, Colossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary. 26:2432 The interruption by Festus (probably at the reference to the resurrection of Jesus) enables Paul to clarify that what he is saying (1) is true and rational, (2) is public and verifiable knowledge, (3) is the message of the prophets, and (4) requires a response of belief. Study the bible online using commentary on Acts and more!. This sign (Acts 4:16, 22), therefore, points to Jesus as the promised one who would restore his people and anticipates the full eschatological restoration. And as such, they are the ones who disobey the Law and rebel against God. However, although this was providential, it was not for the purpose of escape. This event is just like that of Pentecost (11:1516): the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as on us (i.e., in Acts 2), and this was at the beginning (i.e., Acts 2), this was the same as the promise of the Lord Jesus (cf. gave, removed . - Paul was not accustomed to remain long in a place. Again, there are some similarities with his earlier account in Acts 22 as well as some additional emphases (see on 22:121; the additional detail that Pauls companions also fell to the ground clarifies that this was not just a personal vision of Pauls). (21-31) The tumult appeased. . 1:68 As Luke often does, he moves from a general summary to a specific example. It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 1:6; i.e., referring to Acts 2), and therefore this was the same gift that he gave to us. The reason for stressing that this event was just like that of Pentecost comes through again in their conclusion that God has granted Gentiles repentance (11:18; cf. tongues). Email / username or password was incorrect! Lydias immediate response is to get baptized and to offer hospitality, demonstrating the sincerity of her response (16:15). Luke is also careful to note that when Paul commanded the spirit to come out of her, the spirit went out of her, and likewise her owners hope of gain went out (the same word is used in 16:18 and 19, cf. He reassures Ananias that Saul is his chosen instrument and lays out what the ministry of Saul will entail (Lord is used five times in the exchange in 9:1015). The tribune intervened again, but this time, to find out what the commotion was all about, he ordered Paul to be stretched out for an examination by flogging. At the center of this account, however, is Lukes description of those who were persuaded by Paul. 13:33) and Gentiles who are far off (see 1:8; 22:21). 1 See Thompson, The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus, 19-25; and Thompson, Luke, EGGNT (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2016), 3-6. Opposition from the Jews is once again the reason for movement in Corinth, reflecting the pattern articulated in 13:46. Mark 5:41). Luke notes this point more than once in this sectionit is not the believers who cause unrest in the empire. v. When the Gospel came to Cornelius and he became a follower of Jesus, it came to a man who was already a God-fearer. 3:22). When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. All scripture quotations are taken from the ESV Bible (the Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Furthermore, the royal language, such as the title king noted in 12:1, also returns in these closing verses. The prophetic hope for Gods saving purposes for his people is being fulfilled. . 10 For the following cf. As the account unfolds, it will become clear that the point is about people. 16:610). In keeping with the prophetic hope that one day the northern and southern kingdom would be united under a Davidic king (Ezek 37:2425), Luke shows how the gospel spreads to include Samaria in fulfilment of Jesuss words in Acts 1:8. Paul argues that: (1) he has not committed any offense, neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple (25:8); (2) he has done no wrong (25:10); and (3) there is nothing to their charges against me (25:11). b. Since Jews have come from every nation under heaven (2:5), this event highlights the gathering of all Israel and anticipates the spread of the gospel to the nations. (Acts 11:19-21) The church in Antioch grows as Gentiles turn to the Lord. It is a glorious thing when Gods people will allow their prejudices and traditions to be overcome by Gods Word and Gods work. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. That is, since Jesus is great Davids greater son, and since the patterns seen in Davids life culminate in Jesus, these two psalms that speak of the betrayal of David likewise point to an ultimate betrayal that is fulfilled in the betrayal of Jesus. . Likewise, Luke notes an increasing amount of time that Paul spends in these places, with days in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea (16:12; 17:2, 1113), months in Corinth (18:11), and two to three years in Ephesus (19:8, 10; 20:31). Their question By what power or by what name did you do this? (4:7) showed that what was at stake here was the question of authority, especially over the people associated with God, the people of Israel, since the rulers of Israel exercise their authority here in the temple, the heart of Israels faith during the old era. These two features will be immediately demonstrated in 9:1922, 2331. The Herod that Luke refers to here is Agrippa I, Herod the Greats grandson. . Following the climactic arrival and arrest in Jerusalem after extensive ministry across Gentile lands in the preceding section, the final chapters of Acts represent another distinct section with the series of trials that characterize the rest of the book. The Achaean Ministry: The Sovereign Lord and Savior (17:1618:17), C. The Ephesian Ministry: The True Word of the Lord vs the gods (18:1819:41), i. Antioch in Syria, Paul had traveled west, across what is Turkey today, They rejoice that they are privileged to be suffering dishonor for the name (5:41). Indeed, the word for temple is repeated six times in these ten verses, signaling for the reader that Luke is going to focus on the significance of the ascension of the Lord Jesus and the inauguration of the last days for the institutions of the old era. Arrest and Violence in the Temple in Jerusalem (21:2736). What does that imply about Paul's previous visit to He has not done anything deserving death, and he should be set free, yet he has appealed to Caesar. Acts 11:19-30 Preaching expands (11:19) Regardless of doubts and questions by some of the members, the Jerusalem mother congregation confirms Peter's action in baptizing the first Gentiles living in Judea. Two details in 26:23 are especially important for the narrative of Acts. . (11:18, emphasis mine). Thus, Luke is careful to note that male and female, Jew and Gentile, as well as a range of social classes characterized the new people of God. . Because his mother was Jewish, Timothy would have been viewed as a Jew. They confirm the validity of Jesuss claim to be the Savior. i. ii. The implication is that all are accountable to God, and with the reference to past generations, the implication is also that a new day has dawned. Benson Commentary Acts 19:11-12. smoke together with turning the moon to blood is symbolic language that emphasizes this is a dramatic intervention of God in history. The center of the sermon is Peters claim that Jesuss name has made this man completely well (3:16). 12:19). The opening verses of chapter 16 revisit the issue of circumcision and recount the distribution of the decisions reached in the council of chapter 15. 15:1318 James (not James the apostle who died in Acts 12, but James the brother of the Lord Jesus who had become a leader in the Jerusalem church by this time; cf. Luke 23:4, 14, 22, 41). This is the plan for church growth spoken of in Ephesians 4:11-16. 1:68) with the declaration that Jesuss life, death, and resurrection were the outworking of Gods purposes. Following the (short) trial in 25:612, the following verses (25:1327) essentially present Festuss verdict on what he heard from Paul to Agrippa, and then in 25:2327, Festus introduces Pauls speech before Herod Agrippa II. Indeed, Jesuss care for widows is set in contrast to the temple leadership who devour widows houses (Luke 18:18; 20:4547; 21:16). The assurance that the arrival of Jesus brings, however, is that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (2:21). Second, Luke lists the names of the apostles, with one notable absenceJudas. 11 Robert C. Tannehill, The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts: A Literary Interpretation. Peter argues that this clearly does not refer to David himself, since he did die, and his grave is there for all to see! To seek Saul is more literally to hunt him up; Barnabas had to do some looking. In this summary, however, there is greater focus on the apostles as the leaders of Gods true people. We will see below that Simon appears to have believed only superficially rather than genuinely turned from his idolatry (8:1824). Green, The Word of His Grace, 96-98. 8:1825 The inauthenticity of Simons response becomes apparent here. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. 1:1In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. Such activity identifies the apostles, not the temple hierarchy, as the ones who know and obey God (5:29, 32). Luke notes that she paid attention to Pauls message and became a believer. . The opening scene emphasizes Peters predicament and the murderous wickedness of Herod. explanation, without preaching again in Ephesus' synagogue. Schnabel, E. Acts. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. The summary statement of 19:20 serves as a summary of all these events that have taken place since 16:5, but it is placed here to highlight the overall emphasis of the events in Ephesus. For it is the response to the charges that Paul is against the people of Israel, the Law, and the temple that the following chapters will develop as Paul repeatedly explains that he proclaims the hope of Israel and the fulfilment of the Scriptures, the risen Lord Jesus. 13:33). An EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on the Book of Acts . Indeed, Jesus is the exclusive source of ultimate salvationno one else, no other name anywhere (under heaven) is able to save. As indicated above, Luke shows here that the spread of the Word not only takes place despite attempts to stop it (4:34; 5:1820), but now persecution is the very means by which the Word is spread. 14:818 Just as the beginning of Peters ministry included the healing of a lame man after a sermon about Jesus being the crucified and risen Davidic king, so also does the beginning of Pauls ministry in Acts 1314. NRSV). Pauls Proclamation of the Word vs the Sons of Sceva Who Misuse the Name of Jesus (19:822). Unlike the Jews of Thessalonica, the Jews at Berea were more noble than them. When 21:11 is factored in, it is clear that the Spirit is warning Paul of suffering to come in Jerusalem, and the believers therefore urge Paul not to go to Jerusalem (21:12). The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. 9:12; 1Tim 1:13). [3] 1:14 Or brothers and sisters. The church at Jerusalem, therefore, seems to think that he would be the best person to send to this complex setting in which Jews and Gentiles were together in one congregation (he was a good man! Paul's previous visit to Ephesus may have been very short, and he may have There is both continuity as well as development from the earlier summaries. . These emphases on the same gospel message being given to both Jews and Gentiles and the same required response of belief will be the focus in Acts 15. Leicester: InterVarsity, 2005. The reference to the power or name in their question (4:7) not only focuses the issue as one of authority, but it also recalls earlier references to the significance of the name of Jesus in 3:6, 16 and will become the defining issue in Peters reply in 4:10, and especially 4:12. i. So, in the context of Acts 1:68, readers are meant to see in these events the outworking of Jesuss promise in response to the apostles question about Israel. Thus, although expanding upon God as Creator and Sovereign ruler over all, the essential elements of Pauls preaching elsewhere are still here: God and his purposes, Jesuss death and resurrection, and a judgment from which we must be saved. Volumes 14. The act of casting lots alludes to Proverbs 16:33 and adds to the emphasis on Gods sovereignty throughout this unique account. Spake evil of that way before the multitude. 20:712 Although they all (the seven, plus Paul and Luke) stay in Troas for seven days, Luke recounts one especially significant incident: the death and resuscitation of Eutychus! Whereas the seven sons of Sceva had tried to misuse the name of the Lord (19:13), now the name of the Lord was extolled (19:17). i. God keeps his promises to Paul through the ordinary, everyday actions of living in his world. 11:418 Peter responds by recounting the events outlined in the preceding chapter, now from his experience. Instead of responding in obedience and worship, Israels reception of the Law was characterized by worship of an idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands (anticipating their response to the temple in 7:48). And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. The issue that gave rise to this disturbance surrounds the loss of business to the silversmiths in Ephesus who made statues of Artemis (and/or her temple) and the loss of honor to Artemis that resulted. It is in light of the unreliability of Festus to withstand the pressure and persistence of the Jewish leaders, therefore, that Paul appeals to the one in charge of Festus, Caesar himself. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. (8-12) The Jewish exorcists disgraced. The summary that over the next two years all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks emphasizes extensive ministry centered in Ephesus (some, such as Epaphras, may have been sent out to nearby areas such as Colossae; cf. Under Roman rule it was the capital of Judea and is the location for Pauls trials in Acts 2326. Thus, Jesuss answer neither rebukes the apostles for their question, nor redirects them to some other topic without reference to their question about Israel. Importantly, James uses language reserved for the people of Israel in the Old Testament for these Gentiles who have now become Gods people through the Messiah. Thus, Jesuss resurrection is an eschatological event, and as such he is the one who offers the eschatological gifts of forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit. Antioch was famous for its readiness to jeer and call names; it was known by its witty epigrams. (Gaebelein) But as the people of Antioch called the followers of Jesus the Jesus People, the believers appreciated the title so much that it stuck. 8:48 Having shown Jesus to be the one who provides all that the temple pointed to, Luke now focuses on the inclusion of two groups outside of the temple system: Samaritans and Eunuchs. In contrast to the believers who are filled with the Spirit, speak Gods Word, and are of one heart (4:3132), however, Ananiass heart is filled with Satan and he contrived this deed in his heart (5:3, 4). Broadly speaking, the outline that served to identify the main developments throughout Acts 1316 can be repeated for Acts 1621: Ministry in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus (16:1119:41). The report that they give in 14:27 serves to highlight the main themes of these chapters: they declared (1) all that God had done with them (i.e., the emphasis on Gods initiative; cf. . These believers come from the span of Pauls previous missions (Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and Asia) and serve as a representative summary of the fruit of Pauls gospel ministry in what has the feel of a farewell journey. The term used to describe the temple as that which is made by hands is a common way of referring to idols (cf. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy 9:30). i. While John Second, the care of widows was also a feature of Jesuss ministry. Rom 4:68). Do you believe that too? They should not see an emphasis on self, on man-made rules, on human performance but on the glorious grace of God. While a dispute over the distribution of food to some of the widows may seem minor and hardly a threat to the existence of the church, important matters are at stake. Ananias (not to be confused with the Ananias who died in Acts 5) was a disciple at Damascus, one of those Saul was going to pursue (note that Luke does not narrate how the gospel had already spread to Damascus). 28:3031 The final scene in Rome concludes the book with another summary of Pauls preaching: proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ (28:31). Cornelius then recounts the detailed instructions he was given in order to find Peter, closing with the recognition that what Peter will say has been commanded by the Lord (10:33). preached by John the Baptist, that the Messiah This chapter invites a comparison between the Lord who rescued Peter and the apparently powerful king Herod who persecuted the Lords people and put them to death. In 26:1718 the details of his commission to go to the people of Israel and the Gentiles as a servant and witness are expanded upon. Johannine Writings come, they most likely learned from Apollos. This could be understood as a positive reference to their piety and a standard introduction to a speech. Peters words to the 120 disciples speak to these questions. The spirit and slave girl owners would distort the purpose and reality of this proclamation. Luke reminds readers of this continuing reign at various points throughout the narrative (e.g., 2:47; 9:56, 1516; 11:21; 16:14; 18:911; 23:11; 26:17, 23). This contrast is then illustrated with more disturbance in the city, this time caused by the Jews of Thessalonica who came there too. During this time of waiting, the disciples devote themselves to prayer in unity, displaying their common and continuing dependence on the Lord in prayer (cf. Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God: The greatness of the work among the Gentiles in Caesarea could not be kept hidden. ; TNTC; Leicester: InterVarsity, 2022), 51-53. When it came to Antioch, it came to an utterly pagan city. "baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" The vision focuses on animals which Peter is commanded in this vision to kill and eat. The description of this lame man walking and leaping recalls Jesuss words in Luke 7:2023, which in turn look back to the promises of the end times found in Isaiah 35:36. There is also an increased amount of narrative space devoted to Pauls ministry in Ephesus (and on one two-hour event at the end especially) and a subsequent discussion with the Ephesian elders (as Paul is on his way back to Jerusalem). Thus, in the narrative of Acts, this will be Pauls second defense in Jerusalem. Importantly, however, Stephen prays these two prayers to the Lord Jesus. c. When they had come to Antioch: Antioch was founded about 300 B.C. 14All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.3. The Word of His Grace: A Guide to Teaching and Preaching from Acts. 2:10; 11:20; Luke 23:26), Manaen, who was brought up with Herod Antipas (i.e., in Galilee; cf. The reason Peter says just as we have is that these Gentiles were speaking in tongues and extolling God, just as Peter and the Jewish believers had done on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4; cf. It is in this setting, then, that Luke notes Pauls rise to prominence as a leader in the proclamation of the gospel. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point So, Paul specifies that it is by the name of the Lord Jesus that he commands the spirit to come out of her (16:18). Indeed, the believers in Joppa sent word to Peter in Lydda to come to them urgently when Tabitha died. In the face of likely death by stoning, they fled to Lystra and Derbe . As we noted in the introduction to this section, Ephesus was renowned for the worship of Artemis, and the temple here was one of the ancient seven wonders of the world (it was four times the size of the Parthenon in Athens). your . Acts 19:4 Commentaries: Paul said, "John baptized with the - Bible Hub Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. Commentary on Acts 11:1-18 When he finally got to recount to the believers what happened, he described how the Lord had brought him out of the prison (12:17). e.g., 2:23; 4:2728; Rom 8:30; 10:1315; Phil 1:6; 2:1213). He came back to Ephesus as he had promised in Acts 18:21. b. Who the Lord is, and what his relationship is to the momentous last-days-events of Pentecost, will be the focus of the rest of Peters sermon. The question What does this mean? (2:12) is answered in the following address from Peter about the fulfilment of Gods saving plan in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who has inaugurated the new covenant and poured out the Holy Spirit. : Hendrickson, 2004. 7 Ibid., 141; Thompson, The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus, 63-65. God has granted repentance . 2:4247) describes the outworking of the unity of Gods people. An angel of God came to Cornelius in a vision and provided detailed instructions about where to send people to find Peter, including which town he was in, which house he was in, and where that house was. This continues the emphasis on the ministry of the Word in Ephesus in Acts 19 (cf. Amazingly, it is not Paul who makes his defense but the Roman ruler Gallio, who not only rejects their claim that what Paul is preaching is illegal, but also places it within the category of Jewish questions about the Scriptures, and as such determines it is not something that he will rule against! The emphasis throughout this section is on the teaching of the apostles that has taken place in the temple. Just as they were commanded to go into the temple and speak to the people (5:20), so they entered the temple . 18:1217 The Lords protection of Paul through an attempted attack on him is then demonstrated in the Jewish united attempt to convince Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia (an inscription found at nearby Delphi dates Gallios position as proconsul from mid-51 to mid-52 AD), that Paul was acting against the law (probably the Roman law in this context). c. Those of the circumcision contended with him: When we see the reaction of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, we can see how wise it was of Peter to take six witnesses with him to Caesarea and his meeting with Cornelius (Acts 10:23 and 11:12). Peter replies like the prophets of Israelthey must repent! The temple activity of the believers isnt specified here, but elsewhere in these chapters we read of Peter (3:1126), Peter and John (4:13), and the apostles as a whole (5:2021, 25) proclaiming Jesus in the temple complex. All of this highlights the apostle Peter as an authorized representative of Jesus (i.e., as an apostle; cf. What do Gods people look like now in this new era, and how do they relate to the institutions of the old era? And I heard a voice saying to me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord!
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