Monthly Archives: February 2023

Acts 1:12-26 Pastor Rick’s Study Notes and Small Group Questions

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Pastor Rick’s Translation:

(PRT)

v.12 Then they left the Mount of Olives and returned to Jerusalem which is only a half mile, or what was allowed for a Sabbath’s Day walk. v. 13 And when they arrived at the home, they went up to the upper story where they were staying; not only Peter and John, but also James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James (Alpheus’ son) and Simon (who was a Zealot), and Judas (James’ son). v. 14 All of them were steadfastly devoted to one another, attuned in life and united in prayer. They were there together with the women, including Mary, Jesus’ mother, and his brothers. v. 15 Then, during these days, Peter took the floor in front of the brothers and sisters, whose names numbered together by this time 120. v. 16 Men, and brothers and sisters, it had to happen so that the Scriptures the Holy Spirit said through David would be fulfilled regarding Judas, the one guilty of guiding those who arrested Jesus. v. 17 For he was counted with us, he threw in his lot, and he had a share in this ministry. v. 18 Now, of course, this man, with the payment collected from Judas’ unrighteousness, bought a field;  then having become bloated and distended Judas fell in, ruptured in the middle, and his insides gushed out. v. 19 It became notorious to those who lived in Jerusalem and they called that field Akeldama in their own Aramaic, but translated, it is “the field of blood.” v. 20 The Psalms say: “Let his dwelling be desolate and barren and let no one live there” and “let another take up his position.”  vv. 21-22 Therefore, we must choose a man who has traveled with us all this time that the Lord Jesus came and went out among us, from the baptism of John until he was taken up, and he will be a witness along with us to his Resurrection. v. 23 And they submitted two names: Joseph who was called Barsabbas but nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. vv. 24-25 Then they prayed and said: “You, Lord, know all our hearts. Show us which one out of these two you choose to take the place of serving and being sent out that Judas turned away from and departed to place he deserves. v. 26 And they drew lots between them and the lot landed on Matthias; and he was counted along with the eleven Apostles.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

v.12 Then they left the Mount of Olives and returned to Jerusalem which is only a half mile, or what was allowed for a Sabbath’s Day walk.

This helps fill in the first 11 verses. They met Jesus earlier on the Olive Mt and that’s where they watched him ascend into heaven. It was a short enough walk that they wouldn’t get in trouble with the religious lawyers as they were allowed 1000 double steps on the Sabbath.

v. 13 And when they arrived at the home, they went up to the upper story where they were staying; not only Peter and John, but also James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James (Alpheus’ son) and Simon (who was a Zealot), and Judas (James’ son).

This is the inner circle of called out and sent out ones. Some names may confuse: Bartholomew is the same as Nathaniel in John’s Gospel; Matthew was also called Levi; Jude, James son is also known as Thaddeus. Not uncommon to have multiple names and nicknames (e.g. Simon could never shake the nickname, Zealot, even though he left this life of an assassin behind).

v. 14 All of them were steadfastly devoted to one another, attuned in life and united in prayer. They were there together with the women, including Mary, Jesus’ mother, and his brothers.

How many times can this verse identify the Jesus-followers as in community. The word for attuned in life is a  musical term that means to “rush along in harmony and note.” What a beautiful picture of the Kingdom working here on earth. Note that, by this time, Jesus’ brothers (at least two of them) had come to believe their brother, Jesus, is Messiah. Mary never swayed from this.

“in one accord” or united in prayer is the same word Jesus uses in Matthew 18, when two of you agree. This whole passage points back to verse 1 – “all that Jesus began to do and teach” – the operative word, “began,” means we continue it.

This is what they spend the next 10 days doing in preparation for the “promise of the Father.”

Jesus ascended, ten days of preparation in prayer, worship, the word and relationships, then the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus descends.

Luke 24:57 helps clarify what they did: they prayed, the worship (in the Temple), they made relationships work, and the depended on the Word of God.

v. 15 Then, during these days, Peter took the floor in front of the brothers and sisters, whose names numbered together by this time 120.

Peter stood up in the midst of 120 who were the chosen, the called out. The word “brothers” is used here; but clearly from the earlier verses, the disciples number several women in this “rush along in harmony and note.”

v. 16 Men, and brothers and sisters, it had to happen so that the Scriptures the Holy Spirit said through David would be fulfilled regarding Judas, the one guilty of guiding those who arrested Jesus.

It seems here that Peter is address that inner circle of the Apostles and broadened the address to the brothers and sisters. This is the 10 days between Jesus ascending and the Holy Spirit descending. They are waiting in Jerusalem and they are seeking to act wisely and in unity to prepare for what God has in store.

v. 17 For he was counted with us, he threw in his lot, and he had a share in this ministry.

He was numbered among us. Peter is using the same terminology that he would use to determine Judas’ replacement. Judas cast the dice to join and he won a share in the ministry.

This helps us understand v. 24 when they cast dice.

v. 18 Now, of course, this man, with the payment collected from Judas’ unrighteousness, bought a field;  then having become bloated and distended Judas fell in, ruptured in the middle, and his insides gushed out.

That’s quite the graphic scene Peter explains. When he begins, he takes the liberty of saying ‘now,  you already know this, but for the record…” One question that might come up is how to reconcile the account in Matthew 27 where Judas throws the 30 silver pieces at the priests and they buy a field. Judas then commits suicide by hanging. Nothing gets by them, and the priests would know where the suicide took place and sent a man to purchase the craggy land for others to be buried in. The irony is that, his body would have been the first to go over to cliffs into the field below. Judas, after hanging himself and swinging in the hot sun, would have bloated out and directly fell down into the cliffs of the land. His was not a good end.

v. 19 It became notorious to those who lived in Jerusalem and they called that field Akeldama in their own Aramaic, but translated, it is “the field of blood.”

This “field of blood” reconciles the two stories. Judas hung himself, bloated out; the priests sent a man to buy the cliff, the tree, and the field below. Either he cut Judas down and he fell in and burst, or he fell from his rope on his own. Other convicts and unnamed ones were tossed in after him.

v. 20 The Psalms say: “Let his dwelling be desolate and barren and let no one live there” and “let another take up his position.”

Notice the importance of the same two tools, the same life-giving disciplines we run to: the Word and Prayer. I would add to this a unity and in-tuned-ness which often takes even more work.

vv. 21-22 Therefore, we must choose a man who has traveled with us all this time that the Lord Jesus came and went out among us, from the baptism of John until he was taken up, and he will be a witness along with us to his Resurrection.

This tells us two things: 1) there were others who had been there from the start all the way to the Ascension, 2)  they were taking Jesus’ command seriously, to be witnesses of what had happened.

v. 23 And they submitted two names: Joseph who was called Barsabbas but nicknamed Justus, and Matthias.

These three verses are important according to Wright because they saw their role as continuing the work of the Kingdom that Jesus declared and demonstrated, then passed on to them. They needed someone who had gone through it with them. We are the continuation of the work.

vv. 24-25 Then they prayed and said: “You, Lord, know all our hearts. Show us which one out of these two you choose to take the place of serving and being sent out that Judas turned away from and departed to place he deserves.

It says “after they prayed” but they are clearly still praying. The word is really a name: heart-knower.”  The place of ministry and apostleship that Judas veered from and went to his own place.

v. 26 And they drew lots between them and the lot landed on Matthias; and he was counted along with the eleven Apostles.

This was an accepted way to choose. Not gambling, but a unique way of trusting. Now that we have the Holy Spirit living inside us, we don’t need to toss dice or draw straws.  Matthias is not mentioned again, meaning that he played his part as one of the Twelve that Jesus rose from the dead, but likely a smaller role. Wright reminds us here that there are no “big parts” and no “insignificant parts” in the Kingdom work; we all are a part and Jesus is the orchestrator.

Small Group Study Questions:

Acts 1:12-26

  1. What is your most personal memory of God’s nearness?
  2. Read Acts 1:12-26. What did the followers of Jesus do after seeing Jesus ascend into heaven?
  3. What did his followers do to get ready to receive the Promise of the Father? (What exactly is the Promise of the Father?)
  4. In what ways do you intentionally “get ready” to walk with God and serve Him?
  5. How can we pray for you this week?

Acts 1:1-11 Pastor Rick’s Study Notes and Small Group Questions

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Pastor Rick’s Translation:

(PRT) Acts 1:1-10

vv. 1-2 Theophilus, the first account I wrote concerned the whole story from the beginning with what Jesus proclaimed and demonstrated up to the very day after giving instructions by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen, he was taken up. vv. 3-4 To these very apostles, he showed up for them alive with many irrefutable proofs during the forty days they saw him after his suffering; and he spoke to them about the things of the Kingdom of God. And when he had them all together he gave them these instructions: “Don’t leave Jerusalem; instead wait there for the Promise of the Father that you heard me talk about.” v. 5 John baptized you with water, but now you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in only a few days.” v. 6 Then they got together and asked him: “Lord, is this the time? Are you restoring the Kingdom to Israel?” v. 7 But he replied: “The Father is in charge of this; and he has set the opportune timing and how long or short this will be isn’t up to you. v. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses not just in Jerusalem but in all Judea and Samaria and to the farthest reaches of the earth. v. 9 And after Jesus said all this to them, before their very eyes, he was lifted up; and he was carry away in a cloud from their sight. vv. 10-11 Then, while they were watching intently into the heavens as he left, two men appeared in dazzling white clothes and stood by them: “Galileans, why do you stand here staring into the skies? This Jesus who has been taken up from you and into heaven will come back in the very same way you saw him go into heaven.”

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

vv. 1-2 Theophilus, the first account I wrote concerned the whole story from the beginning with what Jesus proclaimed and demonstrated up to the very day after giving instructions by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen, he was taken up.

It could be the apostles were chosen by the Holy Spirit or the instructions were given by agency of the Holy Spirit.  His point: as you begin reading this account, keep in mind that it follow that first account composed and delivered to his friend, Theophilus.

Wright: Luke writes on several levels. 1) It’s the story of the early church, 2) It’s also the story of the continuing work of Jesus, but now through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, 3) It’s a story in which we are also participants as the continuing work, continues. Acts is all about what Jesus continues to do in the world. There are two dynamics integral to Acts: Jesus rose again and the Holy Spirit has come in power. The renewal the disciples expected and perhaps wanted more than ever was an immediate regime change; but the regime change is inside the hearts of Jesus’ followers. There is a new reality believers live in; the Kingdom is come in the ministry and presence of Jesus.

Wagner: Jesus fills in the gaps during these seven weeks. All that they were taught and saw, now makes sense. The framework of Acts is the Kingdom. Luke is the only Gentile writer in the Bible.

vv. 3-4 To these very apostles, he showed up for them alive with many irrefutable proofs during the forty days they saw him after his suffering; and he spoke to them about the things of the Kingdom of God. And when he had them all together he gave them these instructions: “Don’t leave Jerusalem; instead wait there for the Promise of the Father that you heard me talk about.”

Jesus presented himself to them; he showed up for them. He had three goals in this time. Teach them about the Kingdom of God. Encourage them with his words and actions. Instruct them about their next steps.

v. 5 John baptized you with water, but now you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in only a few days.”

The timing is important to Luke. Remember when John had water to baptize you with; but now that the Promise of the Father is here, you’ll be inundated in the Holy Spirit.

v. 6 Then they got together and asked him: “Lord, is this the time? Are you restoring the Kingdom to Israel?”

They still didn’t want him to leave and hoped for the Kingdom to start with him even now physically. I can see them huddling together and nudging Peter forward (probably) to ask the question. The tone is “Jesus, we all want to know? Is it now?” Jesus gives them the big picture and invites them to play the long game.

Wright: The disciples were not heading to the top spots in an earthly kingdom; they we were in on a new kind of kingdom. And the King is present for the people of God. The “still-future” remains but His rule breaks in our lives and our world. So, to answer their question: “Is it time?” He says wait for the promise of the Father and then do and speak the words of the Kingdom.

v. 7 But he replied: “The Father is in charge of this; and he has set the opportune timing and how long or short this will be isn’t up to you.

At the Father’s authority the right time and the length of the season is in place; it’s set. Jesus, as human, accepted the limitations that fit the Father’s plans and didn’t even know. Of course, it would not be in our scope of understanding. That’s why they missed the point.

Wright: God has all authority and He gives us power.

v. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses not just in Jerusalem but in all Judea and Samaria and to the farthest reaches of the earth.

Two main verbs here: receive power, be witnesses. Both are evidences or the result of the Holy Spirit’s work coming onto and working in them. It’s interesting that these followers are from all over Galilee but have come to center in Judea and Jerusalem. Yet, Samaria gets a clear “go” for the work of the Kingdom of God.

v. 9 And after Jesus said all this to them, before their very eyes, he was lifted up; and he was carry away in a cloud from their sight.

The tricky word here is “carried away” which can mean lifted up further (a double lift along with the previous word) or hidden away. Either way, they watched and they watched.  If Jesus can walk on water before he was resurrected and walk through walls and doors afterward, he can lift up from the ground and move, as if through a cloud, toward the places where he takes up his new role as intercessor beside His Father.

vv. 10-11 Then, while they were watching intently into the heavens as he left, two men appeared in dazzling white clothes and stood by them: “Galileans, why do you stand here staring into the skies? This Jesus who has been taken up from you and into heaven will come back in the very same way you saw him go into heaven.”

Jesus had just told them they would be His witnesses; and now they watched intently, before their very eyes, and as they stared into the moments – Jesus, Jesus and clouds, only clouds – two angels (presumably) stamped into their minds that Jesus would come back in the same way. Clouds, dramatically, appearing, covered with glory (the clouds often symbolize this.)

Small Group Study Questions:

Acts 1:1-11

  1. Read vv. 3-4 How did Jesus show up for the disciples the 40 days after His resurrection?
  2. The disciples didn’t want Jesus to leave. Why was this important to His disciples?
  3. How did your faith tradition teach you about baptism? The Holy Spirit?
  4. What does it look like to receive God’s power for the first time? What does it look like for you to live in His power?
  5. How does v. 8 matter to you or to our church today? Do you have someone in your Jerusalem you need to share God’s love and message with?
  6. Can we pray for those in our Jerusalem and Judea who need our love and the Good News?
  7. What way has God showed up for you in your personal life this month?

3 John 1:1-14 Pastor Rick’s Study Notes and Small Group Questions

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

3 John 1:1-14

(PRT)

v. 1 The elder writes to the beloved Gaius, whom I genuinely love, too. v. 2 Beloved, I pray that you’ll prosper in everything you do and stay healthy, just as you prosper in your soul. v. 3 For I am incredibly glad to hear from those brothers and sisters who travel and declare the Truth that you continue to walk in the Truth. v. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear my children are living in the Truth. vv. 5-6 Beloved, you are faithful in working and serving those brothers and sisters who are traveling and they tell the story of your love in action in the presence of the church gathered. You will have done a beautiful work that is in line with God’s character as you send them on. v. 7 For in fact, they travel all about  to make known the Name and take nothing from those among the Gentiles when they do. v. 8 That means we, then, should hold up our end for brothers and sisters like this; in doing so, we work together for the Truth. vv. 9-10 I have written of this to the church, but Diotrephes, the one who longs to be first among all, does not even recognize us. Because of this, in the event that I come, I will remind the church of what he is doing. He says hurtful words. He accuses us. Additionally, he is not satisfied with just these things; he doesn’t welcome the brothers and sisters and stands in the way of those who want to do so and drives them away from of the church. v. 11 Beloved, don’t mimic what is evil and hurtful; instead imitate what is good. The one doing good is aligned with God; the one doing evil has missed God completely. v. 12 A good testimony about Demetrius has been reported by everyone as well as by the Truth; and we also can testify, and you know we can vouch for him and our witness is true. vv. 13-14 I had more things to write you but I don’t want to say it with ink and pen. Instead, I hope to see you soon. Then we can speak person-to-person! Peace to you and greetings from your friends. Say hello to our friends by name.

Study Notes:

v. 1 The elder writes to the beloved Gaius, whom I genuinely love, too.

Gaius (at least as a name) has a marvelous history with the church and has gained much respect. There are four Gaius’s in the New Testament. This one may be one of the three from Corinth, Macedonia, or Derbe. Here, John acknowledges this status of beloved and affirms his own love for this man, too.  The phrase “in truth” is a part of this verse; truthfully, genuinely.

v. 2 Beloved, I pray that you’ll prosper in everything you do and stay healthy, just as you prosper in your soul.

That the journey of your life will be characterized by success and good health, and beyond to a prosperous soul in the spiritual journey, too.

While Paul commits to “pray” in  his letters all the time, this is John’s only time in his three letters. John clearly considers Gaius the best of friends.

The word for prosper means to have a good journey, a prosperous journey. He covers it all here: health physically, relationships in the journey, spiritually. John is trusting that Gaius’s soul is in good hands.

John prays for this “above all things.” Prosper means to succeed.

v. 3 For I am incredibly glad to hear from those brothers and sisters who travel and declare the Truth that you continue to walk in the Truth.

The “adelphie” – the brothers (and sisters) who love one another, and they are traveling preachers and teachers who “martureo” – give witness – to the Truth. By now, late in the first century, the Good News of the Kingdom was also called the Truth. Gaius steadfastly walks in this Truth. John is a keen wordsmith. These brothers and sisters travel and witness to the Good News; and they bear witness to Gaius’s goodness.

This Truth is John’s word for the overarching word from God that gives Kingdom wholeness to a person.

v. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear my children are living in the Truth.

John’s joy is knowing that those whom He was given the privilege of leading to the Truth are still in the Truth. Children – teknon – reminds me of John’s earlier letter (1 John 2 – “beloved children, who have been forgiven and who know the Father.”) Living the truth is literally “walking around” in Truth.

Gaius may be one of John’s converts and most certainly one he has poured his life into in discipleship.

vv. 5-6 Beloved, you are faithful in working and serving those brothers and sisters who are traveling and they tell the story of your love in action in the presence of the church gathered. You will have done a beautiful work that is in line with God’s character as you send them on.

These two verses are difficult to translate word-for-word. John commend Gaius for both working with and serving those who are traveling and this story has made it to the church. It’s a beautiful work, a worthy work, worthy of God’s praise and reflecting His character. He loved people; Gaius loves people.

The work is worthily of God.

v. 7 For in fact, they travel all about  to make known the Name and take nothing from those among the Gentiles when they do.

They go out and come in on behalf of the Name and get no payment from the Gentiles. That makes it a good thing, a beautiful work, when Gaius hosts them and sends them off with food and help. Until now, the world was divided into two groups from the Jewish mindset: Jews and Gentiles.  Is there a shifting here in defining people groups? The Gentiles who don’t know Christ yet are not asked to support these who travel and preach; but the Gentiles who do know Christ are commended, as are the Jews who know Christ as encouraged in their giving. A new family around the globe forms around the Name.

The Name of Jesus is worth giving one’s journey to.

v. 8 That means we, then, should hold up our end for brothers and sisters like this; in doing so, we work together for the Truth.

Hold up our end could be receive this charge or obligation. We should and they did. By doing so they became co-laborers in taking the Truth. It’s a fair thing to say that, when we help by giving, surrendering our time or resources, hosting, or praying for those who go in and out with the Truth proclaimed, we co-labor. It is our work together.

vv. 9-10 I have written of this to the church, but Diotrephes, the one who longs to be first among all, does not even recognize us. Because of this, in the event that I come, I will remind the church of what he is doing. He says hurtful words. He accuses us. Additionally, he is not satisfied with just these things; he doesn’t welcome the brothers and sisters and stands in the way of those who want to do so and drives them away from of the church.

John has commended this practice of hospitality to those who are traveling preachers, but the commendation has been diverted by a person in the church who is either jealous or power hungry. He doesn’t even receive the efforts to promote this practice. This person, Diotrephes, has a trust issue with John and has rejected his thoughts. That someone would stand in the way of the last living original Apostle is unthinkable.  Even more so, he has rejected and drive off from church those who want to give space and help to the traveling ministers. John’s concern isn’t his feelings, even though this man threw shade on him; he is concerned that people are not being helped, others are leaving the church.

Don’t miss the point that John wrote about this earlier; that means he sent a First John, a Second John, and a Second John 2.0, before this Third John. The leaders had letters going back and forth in greater evidence than just what we have preserved by the Holy Spirit for the Bible. So, in this case, John wrote to the church Diotrephes was a leader in and to Gaius also about this person’s intentional flaw.

v. 11 Beloved, don’t mimic what is evil and hurtful; instead imitate what is good. The one doing good is aligned with God; the one doing evil has missed God completely.

This juxtaposition of good and evil is strong in Scripture. Here John is clear: if you continue to oppose the good that God is doing, you will have taken your eyes from God and you don’t see Him anymore. John is using what he wrote earlier in his first letter: obedience shows that we know God; evil doing demonstrates we have not even seen God.

v. 12 A good testimony about Demetrius has been reported by everyone as well as by the Truth; and we also can testify, and you know we can vouch for him and our witness is true.

We don’t know if this is the same Demetrius that used to make idols to Artemis in Ephesus. Possibly? It would make sense that someone with authority might “vouch” for a Jesus-follower who may have had a “previous life.” Don’t we need that! Remember that Paul needed Barnabas, Ananias, and others to open the door for  acceptance.

In this case, Demetrius has a good reputation by those who know him and by John’s record. But perhaps more important, his life is measured by “the Truth” – what does this mean? My take is this is that characteristic of a life devoted to the Good News that the Spirit testified to others that, when we see that person’s bearing, it is a good life one is looking on.

vv. 13-14 I had more things to write you but I don’t want to say it with ink and pen. Instead, I hope to see you soon. Then we can speak person-to-person! Peace to you and greetings from your friends. Say hello to our friends by name.

John had a lot more on his mind, but he expected to see Gaius sooner than soon. Person-to-person is really mouth-to-mouth, but that means something entirely in English.

Small Group Study Questions:

3 John 1:1-14

  1. Letter-writing is a lost art. Do you still write letters (the one’s with stamps)? Can you remember receiving a letter from someone you loved who had been away for a while? How did it make you feel to open it and read it?
  2. Read vv. 1-4. What can you tell about John’s relationship with Gaius, the recipient of this letter?
  3. Read vv. 5-8.  What main quality does John the Apostle commend that Gaius shows? Who does he show this hospitality to according to these verses?  When we show hospitality and give to others who serve God, what does John say we are doing?
  4. Read vv. 9-12. John uses two different people as illustrations. Who is Diotrephes? What is John’s opinion of him? Who is Demetrius? What does John think of him?
  5. What one thing from these verses can you learn from and adopt into your own life?
  6. How can we pray for you?