Snoopy Approaches Acts

[paradox3]

With some trepidation, Snoopy Approaches the Book of Acts. Having attempted this book in the past, I know it to be fairly dry once you get into it.

Approximately 8 years ago, I decided to read the Gospels in their entirety. Many good discussions (and some not so good) have taken place here on WC2.

It has been a fascinating exercise to read them this way. I have ventured into other areas of the bible as well. It's always worthwhile but sometimes a bit of a slog.

Acts I have read through once but I don't think I started any threads about the material. Using the voice of Snoopy, I will give it another go. One chapter at a time is my commitment.

Chapter 1 is actually pretty interesting.

 

[Mendalla]

I'll see if I can follow along this time. We'll see. Life just keeps yanking me in so many directions. I love what you're doing here, though, and glad you're keeping it going.

On to Acts. Should have been a play. Then we could talk about reading Act 1, Act 2, etc.

 

[paradox3]

Acts 1:1-11

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 1:1-11 - New English Translation

Jesus Ascends to Heaven - I wrote the former account, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after he had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. To the same apostles also, after his suffering, he presented himself...

www.biblegateway.com

Acts 1 begins with the ascension of Jesus into heaven. The author addresses Theophilus (as he does in Luke) and he refers to his "former account".

Luke/ Acts is widely considered to be a two volume work. The volumes are quite different in style and purpose i.e. theological/ persuasive vs historical. Acts gives us the history of the early church.

In today's reading, Jesus is lifted up into the sky and is hidden behind a cloud. Two men in white suddenly appear and announce that Jesus will return to earth the same way He just left.

 

[paradox3]

How do we explain these two men in white? Are they angels? Could they be Moses and Elijah? The story reminds me of the transfiguration narrative.

Interesting that Acts opens with the premise that Jesus will return some day.

 

[unsafe]

How do we explain these two men in white? Are they angels? Could they be Moses and Elijah?

My thoughts here

The scripture doesn't specify who the 2 men in white are ----but for me they are Moses and Elijah as they represent the Law and the Prophets and they appeared as you state in the Transfiguration of Jesus ----and I believe will appear again as the 2 witnesses during the 7 year tribulation ------

 

[Mendalla]

Interesting that Acts opens with the premise that Jesus will return some day.

I think the opening makes eminent sense if you view the Church's role as being preparing the world for the next visit. You have Jesus ascending, leaving the followers to carry on the message and mission, and the promise of his return setting the stage for the purpose of the Church's mission. Agreed on the nature of the two, though you'd that if that was the significance (Moses and Elijah), they would have been identified more explicitly. Still, it does tie in with the overall scene and the idea of announcing the "next phase" (i.e. the Church) of Jesus/God's project.

 

[unsafe]

So we see in this section of Scripture that Jesus is ascending to Heaven -----

Jesus after His Resurrection spent time with His Disciples ----eating and talking with them about the Kingdom of God at different times during His 40 day Resurrection period on this earth---this was to show them proof that he was alive and well --

Jesus gave them a Command -----not to leave Jerusalem ----and to Wait------

The Greek word here for Wait------ is not just a leisure wait ----

Lexical Summary
perimenó: To wait for, to remain around

properly, remain all-around, i.e. steady (regardless of the obstacles involved); to "endure, putting up with surrounding difficulty"

wait” in Acts 1:4 portrays a purposeful, expectant abiding. It is not passive idleness but deliberate obedience, rooted in confidence that the Father will fulfill His word.
This solitary use, therefore, serves as a lens through which Scripture illustrates the posture of the church between promise and fulfillment.

I say -----They were to Wait for the promise of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which was promised by God the Father ------

They were to Baptised not by water like John did but Baptised by the Holy Spirit ---

So here in verse 6 AMP --the Disciples are a bit confused as to what is meant by the Kingdom of God ----

6 So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel?
I say ------The Disciples think Jesus means there will be a temporal Kingdom where the Jewish Nation will be restored and be free from the Roman rule-----so here again the Disciples are veiled as to the Spiritual Meaning of what the Kingdom Of God represents --they do not understand that the Kingdom of God will dwell in them ----

Jesus tells the Disciples that it is not for them to know or to be understood the time of God's events ----Like Jesus said in Matthew ----no one knows the day or hour ----only God knows those things ---

Jesus tells them that they will receive ---power --ability ---and might when the Holy Spirit comes -----and they will be His Witnesses -------verse 8 AMP

8 But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.

After Jesus says this He is Caught up ---(Raptured )and on a cloud that took Him out of their sight -----

This is how Jesus comes back in His 2nd Return ------on a cloud -----

And verse 11 confirms that AMP B

11 Who said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw Him go into heaven.

 

[paradox3]

Acts 1:12-26

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 1:12-26 - New English Translation

A Replacement for Judas is Chosen - Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the Mount of Olives (which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away). When they had entered Jerusalem, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter and John, and James, and...

www.biblegateway.com

The disciples return to Jerusalem and go to the upper room. They continue in prayer with one mind, together with the women and the mother & brothers of Jesus.

Peter stands up in a gathering of the believers (about 120) and says a replacement for Judas must be found. He specifies it is to be a man who was present with them from the baptism of Jesus until his ascension.

Two candidates are proposed and Mathias is chosen by casting lots.

 

[paradox3]

So here it all begins with a core group of Jesus' family, closest associates and loyal followers. Kind of mind boggling to consider how the movement will grow over the centuries and into the present day.

Today's story is the start of our living history as Christians.

Interesting to see Peter taking a leadership role here.

 

[unsafe]

Interesting read here on the word Christian ---as used in Scripture in Acts------

So we see the original meaning of this word---- and how today had been distorted and used in a General way from how it was first meant to be used in Paul's time ----

Acts 11:19-30 – Believers First Called “Christians” in Antioch

After the death of Stephen many Greek-speaking believers flee Jerusalem for Antioch, where they build up a community with many new believers. Barnabas and Saul (Paul) visit this new community in which believers are first called "Christians."

enterthebible.org

Acts 11:19-30 – Believers First Called “Christians” in Antioch​

BIBLE TEXT​

Acts 11:19-30

SUMMARY​

After the death of Stephen many Greek-speaking believers flee Jerusalem for Antioch in Syria, where they establish a growing community of new Christ followers. Barnabas and Saul (Paul) come to this new congregation as prophets and teachers (11:25‒26; 13:1). “In Antioch . . . the disciples were first called ‘Christians’” (11:26).

ANALYSIS​

After the death of Stephen, many Greek-speaking believers in Jerusalem flee to other Mediterranean cities. Those who go to Antioch in Syria, called by one ancient writer the “third among the cities of the Roman world,” have God-given success in drawing many people to belief in Jesus. Antioch had a large and well-established Jewish population as well as a predominantly Gentile population.

Beyond Jerusalem, in this great and diverse cosmopolitan city, believers are first identified as “Christians” or “Christ-ones” by those outside the Christ community.

In Acts, the most common self-designation for the Christ-believing fellowship is “the Way” (9:2; 18:25‒26; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22).

 

[paradox3]

@unsafe please be patient and we will get to Acts 11 in a few weeks.

My plan is to tackle Acts a chapter at a time, breaking it down to individual stories when this seems best.

I wasn't using the word "Christian" to mean anything other than the historical church over the last two millennia or so. And pondering our connection to that initial group of less than 150 individuals.

 

[unsafe]

@unsafe please be patient and we will get to Acts 11 in a few weeks.

My plan is to tackle Acts a chapter at a time, breaking it down to individual stories when this seems best.

I wasn't using the word "Christian" to mean anything other than the historical church over the last two millennia or so. And pondering our connection to that initial group of less than 150 individuals

Sorry paradox3 ---for the disruption ------understand and appreciate you reeling me in -----

 

[paradox3]

Sorry paradox3 ---for the disruption ------understand and appreciate you reeling me in -----

No worries. I am glad you are so keen to discuss the material on these threads. Thanks for holding those thoughts about Acts 11.

 

[Mendalla]

The version of Judas' death here is interesting. Instead of suicide (as in Matthew), it appears to be a agricultural accident of some kind in the field that he bought with the money.

The casting of lots is an interesting touch, too, because pagans of the time might well have done the same thing. Let God/the gods/Fate decide kind of approach.

 

[paradox3]

The version of Judas' death here is interesting. Instead of suicide (as in Matthew), it appears to be a agricultural accident of some kind in the field that he bought with the money.

Yes it could have been an agricultural accident. Why else would he fall headfirst with his guts pouring out? Can't say I have ever run across this idea until now but it sure makes sense.

The casting of lots is an interesting touch, too, because pagans of the time might well have done the same thing. Let God/the gods/Fate decide kind of approach.

The Roman Catholic Church still selects its popes this way. And the Cardinals pray for guidance just as the disciples do here.

 

[unsafe]

back to today's scripture --

We see that the disciples obey Jesus and go back to Jerusalem ---Obedience is key here ---as they no longer have Jesus in their sight and could easily have turned away from doing as He instructed them to do ---

They immediately went to the upper room and started Praying together -----this shows us they were all of the same mindset ---there was no conflict of any kind ----they were all in complete agreement with each other ----setting their minds on obeying and believing that what Jesus said to them would come to pass ----this is showing God's Faith in a big way ----as their Faith is believing in the unseen that was promised to them -----

The Disciples are learning to have faith in what is not visually seen -----to rely on what God has promised and not by what is tangible in this seen realm -----

This is a very vital part of what being a true Christ--ian is----walking by God's Faith not by Sight ------

So we see the number 120 mentioned ----this is interesting -----

AI
In spiritual contexts, the number 120 often represents a divinely appointed time, a period of waiting, or a stage of preparation before a significant event or new beginning.
It can also symbolize completeness, fulfillment, or the end of a cycle and the start of another

what is also interesting about this number is -----
AI

While there isn't a specific requirement for exactly 120 Jews to establish a Jewish community, the number 120 is significant in Jewish tradition, particularly in the context of the Great Assembly (Knesset HaG'dolah). This assembly is said to have consisted of 120 scribes, sages, and prophets. The number 120 also appears as the number of seats in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.


So we see in verse 16 Peter gets up ----and says -----

16 Brethren, he said, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold by the lips of David, about Judas who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus.

So My View on this ---------we see Peter here speaking Divine Knowledge and Truth that came directly from God in my opinion -----not Peter himself as Peter would not have had the Spiritual knowledge or wisdom to speak this on his own accord as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit had not come yet to them ---

He the goes on to describe what Judas did ---and what happen to him ----and that he is to be replaced ----by someone who witnesses Jesus resurrection and he names 2 men ---
Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

And drew lots and we know Matthias was chosen -------

I say
Now this is interesting also cause -------I wonder if this is where the Catholic Church got the idea for choosing their Pope ----and that Peter was the one who was in charge of setting this up ----and so they just adopted the fact that Peter was the first Pope ------

Just throwing this out there on a -----fine line --

 

[GordW]

Acts 1:12-26

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 1:12-26 - New English Translation

A Replacement for Judas is Chosen - Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the Mount of Olives (which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away). When they had entered Jerusalem, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter and John, and James, and...

www.biblegateway.com

The disciples return to Jerusalem and go to the upper room. They continue in prayer with one mind, together with the women and the mother & brothers of Jesus.

Peter stands up in a gathering of the believers (about 120) and says a replacement for Judas must be found. He specifies it is to be a man who was present with them from the baptism of Jesus until his ascension.

Two candidates are proposed and Mathias is chosen by casting lots.

Which some have pointed out is NOT what they were told to do. They were told to wait but Peter insists they have to start acting. And then the person they choose is never really heard of again.

Also interesting that in this passage Peter outlines the description of what an apostle is, what the criteria for determining an apostle should be. Paul does not remotely come close and yet the book of Acts will largely be about Paul, the self-styled apostle. I remember a quote I found when doing a paper on Acts in seminary "the book says it it is the Acts of the Apostles but really it is about two people [Peter and Paul] one of whom is not qualified to be an apostle according to the book" (or something like that I cant recall the exact verbiage-- and not quite accurate because we do have stories about Stephen and Philip and others mixed into the early chapters)

 

[unsafe]

I think Paul was called to be an apostle ----His apostleship came directly from Jesus Christ ----

Romans 1:1
​

The Gospel Exalted​

1 Paul, abond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative), set apart for [preaching] the gospel of God [the good news of salvation],

1 Corinthians 1:1
​

Appeal to Unity​

1 Paul, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,


Greek word for Apostle

Strong's Greek: 652. ἀπόστολος (apostolos) -- Apostle

Lexical Summary

apostolos: Apostle​

apostle, messenger, he that is sent
1. a delegate
2. (specially) an ambassador of the Gospel
3. (officially) a commissioner of Christ, "apostle" (with miraculous powers)

properly, someone sent (commissioned), focusing back on the authority (commissioning) of the sender (note the prefix, apo); apostle.

Acts 1:26;---With these apostles Paul claimed equality, because through a heavenly intervention he had been appointed by the ascended Christ himself to preach the gospel among the Gentiles, and owed his knowledge of the way of salvation not to man's instruction but to direct revelation from Christ himself,

Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles

Paul’s self-designation saturates his epistles (Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1). Though not among the Twelve, he meets the core criteria through a post-resurrection appearance of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:8–9) and a direct commission “not from men nor by man

 

[paradox3]

Which some have pointed out is NOT what they were told to do. They were told to wait but Peter insists they have to start acting. And then the person they choose is never really heard of again.

This is something people who are grieving often do (act too quickly). Maybe Peter didn't take time to come to terms with his loss?

 

[paradox3]

@unsafe
We know that Paul considered himself entitled to be an apostle. He got all of his instruction from Jesus in a vision. The two men never actually met in the physical world.