Acts 1:12-14 “Our Unity in the Spirit”
“…’what must I do to be saved?’ They said,
‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” Acts 16:30-31 (NASB)
Key Verse(s) – The Disciples/Apostles gather in an “upper room” after the Ascension
Acts 1:15-17 (NASB) *Judas was no surprise to God – It was prophesied in the OT! “At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, ‘Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.’” Note: see Psalm 41:9 below for more details
Acts 1:24-25 (NASB) *We always need to remember – God looks at our heart!
“And they prayed and said, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
Acts 1:26 (NASB) *What can you do if you don’t have the indwelling Holy Spirit? “And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.” Note: Even some Christians are still ‘rolling the dice’ today!
Key x-References – Importance of unity in making decisions in the Body of Christ
Psalm 133:1-3 (NASB) *The importance of unity in the Body
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing— life forever.”
Ephesians 4:1-7 (NASB) *Unity is God’s gift – Our diligence is required to keep it! “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” Note: The basis for unity in the Body is theological!
Psalm 41:9 (NASB) *No surprises for God! Jesus also knew (cf. John 13:21-27) “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.” Note: cf. also John 13:18; Acts 1:20 and Psalm 69:24-28, Psalm 109:8
Key Terms (most words have a ‘field of meaning’ —> various translations) “apostles” (v.26) Greek #652 (80x), NASB Apostolos (n), from Gk. #649 apostellô (v) one who is sent; a messenger, one sent on a mission, an apostle:– apostle (19), apostles (52), apostles’ (5), messenger (1), messengers (1), is sent (1)
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.”
Acts 9:31 (NASB)
The Book of Acts Series #3 6/27/21
The Birth and Expansion of the Church of Jesus Christ “…you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NASB)
Introduction – The transitional nature of the Book of Acts 1:1-5 I. Christian witness in Jerusalem 1:6-8:3
A. The Risen Lord – The 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection & ascension 1:6-26
- The Ascension—Christ returns in His resurrected body to His father 1:6-11 a. Kingdom question – Believers’ expectations in the 1st century 1:6-7
b. Key verse in Acts that unlocks its 3-part structure – “My witnesses” 1:8 c. Jesus was “lifted up” out of sight into a cloud 1:9
d. An angelic message concerning Christ’s return and the Kingdom 1:10-11 - Upper Room – Peter’s leadership – necessity of Judas’ replacement 1:12-26 a. The apostles were of “one mind” – The unity of the Spirit 1:12-14
b. Prophetic significance of Judas’ actions – Finding a replacement 1:15-26
B. Pentecost – The birthday of the Church 2:1-47
C. Healing the lame man in the Temple, Peter’s 2nd Sermon 3:1-26 D. The beginning of persecution 4:1-37
E. Purging from within, more persecution from without 5:1-41
F. Choosing co-laborers – The first deacons 6:1-7
G. Stephen, the first martyr 6:8-8:3
II. Christian witness in Palestine and Syria 8:4-12:25 A. The Christians Scattered 8:4-40
B. The Conversion of Paul 9:1-31
C. The Conversion of Gentiles 9:32-11:30
D. The Christians Persecuted by Herod 12:1-25
III. Christian witness to the uttermost part of the earth 13:1-28:31
A. The First Missionary Journey 13:1-14:28
B. The Council at Jerusalem 15:1-35
C. The Second Missionary Journey 15:36-18:22 D. The Third Missionary Journey 18:23-21:26 E. The Journey to Rome 21:27-28:27
Conclusion 28:28-31
Key Verse(s) – The Kingdom context of the Book of Acts
Acts 1:14 (NASB) *The importance of unity in the Body of Christ
“These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”
Acts 1:2122(NASB) *The importance of the resurrection as the foundation of our faith
“Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us…one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
“…the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”