01: Jesus’ Ascension and Mission (Acts 1)

After resurrection, Jesus appeared to them for forty days and explained about the next step. Though the apostles interested in the time of the kingdom, Jesus asked them to wait for the Holy Spirit to be Jesus’ witnesses. 

👉 Read Acts 1:1-26

Q1. What did Jesus do after His resurrection? (Three things, vv. 3–5)

• He presented Himself to the apostles with many proofs that He was alive.

• He spoke to them about the kingdom of God.

• He commanded them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit.

Q2. How was the apostles’ interest different from the Lord’s interest? ( vv. 6–8)

• They wanted to know when the kingdom would be restored to Israel—the time of glory.

• Jesus wanted them to be His witnesses throughout the world.

Even after Jesus ascended to the heaven, they were looking up as if Jesus would come down. 

“Men of Galilee”: This is another identity of the disciples. Being reminded of their humble background could have awakened them from their dream of kingdom glory and redirected their attention to the mission Jesus had given them.

God has put the times and seasons under His own authority. When we are in trouble, we often spend too much energy wondering when it will end. However, Jesus asks us to focus more on how we can be His witnesses in our present circumstances.

Note that the author uses the term “apostles” instead of “disciples.” They are no longer merely disciples who followed the Lord, but those who have received a mission and have been sent out—which is the original meaning of the word “apostle.”

Q3. “But you will receive (       ) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my (      ) in (           ) and in (          ) and (       ), and to the (      ) of the earth.”  

“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.”

We see how the gospel spread according to this order throughout the rest of Acts: Jerusalem (Acts 1–7), all Judea and Samaria (Acts 8–12), and to the ends of the earth (Acts 13–28).

What kind of power does Jesus mean? The power to be Jesus’ witness.

Q4. Why did they choose another person to take the place of Judas?

• To fulfill the Scripture. (16, 20)

• To continue the mission given to the apostles. (22)

Q5. How did they choose Matthias? (Twofold selection)

First, they chose two qualified candidates. An apostle had to have accompanied them from the time of Jesus’ baptism until His ascension and be a witness of His resurrection.

Second, they prayed and cast lots.

This twofold approach gives us a helpful insight into choosing church workers. We do our best to examine candidates and their qualifications. Then, finally, we seek God’s direction, because He knows everyone’s heart.

Note that the disciples voluntarily sought to fill the vacancy among the Twelve. They accepted their mission to be witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection and acted accordingly, even without an explicit command from Jesus to replace Judas.

The eleven apostles and several women are specifically named (vv. 13–14), while the whole gathering numbered about 120 people (v. 15). Luke may have recorded these names to highlight those who were present at this important moment in the beginning of the church.

Short Introduction of the Gospel of Luke

Writer: Luke

Date: AD 63 – 70

Purpose: To tell the story of what happened after Jesus’ resurrection

Key Theme: The growth of the early church

Key person: Peter and Paul, and Holy Spirit.

Prediction fulfilled: “I will build my church” (Matt 16:18)

Origins: Coming of Holy Spirit; apostolic authority; world missions