"...[B]ut you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8).
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39).
"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13).
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Thursday, July 26th ACTS 1
Why was it necessary that Judas was replaced? Why not just run with 11? What is the significance of witnessing the ascension into heaven?
As far as the ascension, I'm not sure of the significance other than it states he ascenced into a cloud and if you remember from the Old Testament, the Hebrews always knew they were in the presence of God when a cloud descended upon the Tabernacle, so perhaps it further shows his deity?
It was necessary to replace Judas because of the scripture Peter recited. I think they were wrong to pick another though. I personally think the 12th was supposed to be Paul since Jesus himself chose him and taught him (as we'll see in the coming chapters).
Why do you think Jesus commanded them to wait for the Spirit? Why wasn't it immediate?
The only reason I can think of for commanding that they wait for the spirit is to require patience and to encourage prayer. Could that be? Or is there another reason? I thought maybe the ascension had to be witnessed to fulfill some scripture in the old testament? But I wasn't sure. My study bible probably has some notes on it, but my kindle version does not.
I found the following online in regards to the ascension - It's the simplest, most reasonable explanation I've heard: The ascension of Christ demonstrated the manner of Christ’s final return. The disciples “beheld” Jesus vanishing into the clouds (Acts 1:11b). The verb theaomai is employed 24 times in the New Testament,and never is it used in a figurative sense. They literally saw Christ ascend. Additionally,Luke emphasizes that “in like manner,” i.e.,in a visible fashion,the Lord will return. The combination of these terms clearly indicates that the Savior’s second coming will be a literal coming. This eliminates the spurious notion that Christ’s representative “coming” (via the Roman armies —Matthew 22:7),in the overthrow of Jerusalem (Matthew 24:30),was his second coming (cf. Heb. 9:28). And yet the advocates of “realized eschatology” contend otherwise.
The only reason I can see for prolonging the "pouring out" of the Spirit is to wait until Pentecost - further accentuating it's authenticity.
As far as the ascension, I'm not sure of the significance other than it states he ascenced into a cloud and if you remember from the Old Testament, the Hebrews always knew they were in the presence of God when a cloud descended upon the Tabernacle, so perhaps it further shows his deity?
ReplyDeleteIt was necessary to replace Judas because of the scripture Peter recited. I think they were wrong to pick another though. I personally think the 12th was supposed to be Paul since Jesus himself chose him and taught him (as we'll see in the coming chapters).
Why do you think Jesus commanded them to wait for the Spirit? Why wasn't it immediate?
The only reason I can think of for commanding that they wait for the spirit is to require patience and to encourage prayer. Could that be? Or is there another reason?
ReplyDeleteI thought maybe the ascension had to be witnessed to fulfill some scripture in the old testament? But I wasn't sure. My study bible probably has some notes on it, but my kindle version does not.
I found the following online in regards to the ascension - It's the simplest, most reasonable explanation I've heard:
ReplyDeleteThe ascension of Christ demonstrated the manner of Christ’s final return. The disciples “beheld” Jesus vanishing into the clouds (Acts 1:11b). The verb theaomai is employed 24 times in the New Testament,and never is it used in a figurative sense. They literally saw Christ ascend. Additionally,Luke emphasizes that “in like manner,” i.e.,in a visible fashion,the Lord will return. The combination of these terms clearly indicates that the Savior’s second coming will be a literal coming. This eliminates the spurious notion that Christ’s representative “coming” (via the Roman armies —Matthew 22:7),in the overthrow of Jerusalem (Matthew 24:30),was his second coming (cf. Heb. 9:28). And yet the advocates of “realized eschatology” contend otherwise.
The only reason I can see for prolonging the "pouring out" of the Spirit is to wait until Pentecost - further accentuating it's authenticity.