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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?

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes on Isaiah 6:6-8

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Isaiah 6:6-8

vv. 6-7 Then one of the seraphim took a set of tongs, carried a glowing coal from the altar, then flew to me and placed it in my mouth. He said, “See: this live coal has touched your lips and now your guilt is removed and your sin is canceled.”

Seraphim are a class of angel. In this case, he is the bringer of fire for both cleansing and calling. The live, or glowing, coal came from the altar of God. At the touch of the coal to Isaiah’s lips, the guilt and sin are removed. The coal is symbolic of the fire of the Holy Spirit sealing us from the sin and guilt we carried until we invited Jesus to save us.

Guilt in this verse can also be sin or depravity. Canceled can be forgiven here. The word is foundationally “covered” as in the mercy seat covers our sin.

Remember that, Isaiah is in the Temple of the Lord, heaven’s own Temple. And it is here that God has brought him “in the Spirit” (v. 1). His glory filled the Temple. The Temple is the place of perpetual worship, led by angels, before the God who is holy. It is from the altar of this Holy Place and from the throne upon which the Holy God reigns that the live coal comes.

It is in the Holy God’s presence that Isaiah sees himself – unclean, unworthy, undone. v. 5

It is this posture of need, of openness and honesty, of worship, that our passage meets Isaiah.

Interesting that the outcome of looking on the Holy God with one’s eyes is death. But God provided from His holiness to sustain Isaiah; it’s the same for us as we require His holiness to sustain us in our own lives.

Note that both sin and guilt are covered, are paid for here. We sometimes carry the guilt long after God has forgiven the sin.

Symbolic of the Holy Son of God who baptizes with fire is the burning coal to Isaiah.

Seraphs are angelic beings who are associated with attending to the throne of God, His holiness, and the altar fire.

v. 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord and He asked, “Who will I send? Who will go for us?” And I said, “See, I’m here. Send me.”

Note that it is the Lord speaking both in the singular for Himself and in the plural as for the Triune God. John 12 indicates that Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord Jesus in the Temple. The Spirit of God took Isaiah to the heavenly Temple. God Triune is Present.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

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Acts 11:15-18, Romans 15:7-9

(PRT) Acts 11:15-18, Romans 15:7-9

Acts 11:15-18 (PRT)

v. 15 However, as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just like on us, also, when this first started. v. 16 Then I remembered how the Lord spoke to us and said: “John certainly baptized in water; you, however, will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.” v. 17 Since, then, God gave them the same gift as he gave to us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way? v. 18 After the leaders in Jerusalem heard this account they dropped their criticism and gave God praise and said “Then it has happened: God has given to the nations the repentance that brings life.”

Romans 15:7-9 (PRT)

v. 7 Therefore, embrace and accept one another just like Christ embraced and accepted you for God’s glory. v. 8 For I assure you that Christ became the servant to the Jews by being among them for the sake of God’s truth; he did this so he could confirm the promises given to their forefather. V. 9 This also is for the nations for mercy to give glory to God, just like it is written: “Because of this, I will declare you to the nations; to your name I will sing.”

v. 15 However, as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just like on us, also, when this first started.

“in the beginning,” or when this first started, as in when the Holy Spirit came at the first of the birth of the church, when God started it all by pouring out His promised gift at Pentecost.

“fell” could mean “embraced” – that makes an interesting parallel to the Father’s love for us.

And here it begins – the nations are invited in.

v. 16 Then I remembered how the Lord spoke to us and said: “John certainly baptized in water; you, however, will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.”

“in, with, by” – but in the case of being immerse, it means in. He baptizes us in the full and present Spirit of God.

There are two words for immerse – bapto, and baptidzo – though Luke uses the the second word in both places. Baptidzo is a repeated action. We are immersed and we keep being immersed in the Holy Spirit. Imagine each day we choose to step into the vast ocean of God’s presence for another day of baptism.

Jesus expands Peter’s and now the apostles’ horizon. They heard Jesus say “water and Holy Spirit” and thought, God’s chosen people, the Jews; now they hear and see that God’s chosen people are from among both Jews and the nations around the globe.

v. 17 Since, then, God gave them the same gift as he gave to us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?

When we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are given His Spirit. Shouldn’t we ask for the Spirit to come in the same power and demonstration as they experienced?

The Spirit is the gift, the promise of the Father. With Him comes His gifts to build up the body, to reach the lost, and to fellowship with Him.

We believe and receive God’s gift of the Spirit. They believe and receive the gift, too.

“Who was I to stand in God’s way?” where did Peter hear this before? When they were close to being condemned and Gamaliel spoke up and said the same. Peter was there.

v. 18 After the leaders in Jerusalem heard this account they dropped their criticism and gave God praise and said “Then it has happened: God has given to the nations the repentance that brings life.”

This is such a key verse since it encapsulates what those who first became Jesus-followers saw when the world was invited to the same experience in Jesus. At the first, they were critical and questioning. How dare Peter taint his life by fellowshipping with other nations? But after the account, after hearing that the Spirit fell and embraced the Gentiles, they were silent. They stopped their protests and replaced it with praise and glory.  “Apa” means therefore or so then with the meaning of a conclusion awaited, “it’s finally happened.” God’s Holy Spirit within reminded them that His plan all along was to win a world, to dethrone the usurper not just in Jerusalem but throughout the globe. If the offer is given, those who take it experience the life that comes through turning from sin and self-centeredness and turning to Jesus.

Romans 15:7-9 (PRT)

v. 7 Therefore, embrace and accept one another just like Christ embraced and accepted you for God’s glory.

Accept or receive with the goal of opening one’s life up to the other. There is a transparency factor to this word “accept.” Jesus demonstrated this when he accepted us, even while we were sinners and knowing that we would forever need his “embrace” of forgiveness.

We are embraced for and to God’s glory and praise and honor. Our willingness to forgive and embrace those who miss the mark should reflect Christ accepting us while we were yet sinners. And this is to point to God’s glory. This is radical in relationships.

v. 8 For I assure you that Christ became the servant to the Jews by being among them for the sake of God’s truth; he did this so he could confirm the promises given to their forefather.

Paul is speaking truth to help the church understand why Jesus did what He did. He came as a Jew, circumcised, and a part of the nation specifically to make certain what the Father promised in the Old Testament was true. They are invited in to the holy nation, the royal priesthood, the chosen people in Jesus. Let no one say God lies. He is fully truth and his promises are yes.

These promises are the message, the announcement, to the founders of Judaism. And because He chose this way, he fulfilled the law’s requirements for us, too.

V. 9 This also is for the nations for mercy to give glory to God, just like it is written: “Because of this, I will declare you to the nations; to your name I will sing.”

Because Jesus came and lived among the Jews to fulfill all the promises, we get in on the mercies of God so we can worship Him. Those who were without mercy and apart from the covenant relationship are now invited in.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 11:15-18

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Pastor Rick’s Translation: Mark 11:15-18 (PRT)

v. 15 When they arrived in Jerusalem  and was going through the Temple, Jesus began to drive out those busy peddling their wares and doing business buying and selling in this sacred place. And he flipped over the tables of the currency exchange rate dealers and benches of the sacrificial dove hucksters.

v. 16 And he would not give space for anyone to carry their goods through the Temple.

v. 17 Then, he taught them and said: “Has it not been written, ‘My house will bear the name House of Prayer for all tribes and nations; but you have turned it into a safe house for robbers and gangsters.”

v. 18 And the chief priests and religious legal experts heard this and they plotted how they might kill him; for they all feared him because they saw the crowd was amazed at Jesus’ teaching.

Study Notes:

v. 15 When they arrived in Jerusalem  and was going through the Temple, Jesus began to drive out those busy peddling their wares and doing business buying and selling in this sacred place. And he flipped over the tables of the currency exchange rate dealers and benches of the sacrificial dove hucksters.

The passage prior is the physical “parable” Jesus presented with the fig tree with plenty of show, but no fruit, and its subsequent removal from the fruit-bearing stage. This fig tree near Bethphage (“the place of the winter fig” is what its name means) showed all potential through its “profession” to have fruit, but with no performance. Jesus proclaims through his actions what the national order of Israel had adopted: many words, but no fruit.

Jesus then faces the display of this very loud and physical activity of “profession” without producing fruit in the Temple. As Jesus walked through the courtyard known as the “outer court” or the “Court of the Nations,” he saw a return to the cacophony of a marketplace that had supplanted the purpose of the court – a place of prayer for all nations.

And in the progression of walking through, he became zealous once more for the place which His Father designated for His purpose usurped by greed and evil. There were people peddling their wares at tables and booths where the holy act of seeking the Father’s will and presence should hold sway.

The money changers were there first to give a way for pilgrims to pay their share, but it  had to be in temple tender. The dove and animal traders maintained a spot where they would sit on a bench with animals and cages awaiting purchasers. Fraud and price gauging were common. Still, this is neither a condemnation of capitalism as some might hold, nor a judgment of churches who ask for a donated price for a coffee mug or t-shirt; it is a condemnation of a religious culture that has supplanted the purpose of God’s people and their worship and prayer with schemes that push God’s purposes to the margin.

On top of all this, the Court of the Nations had become a market short-cut for loads of supplies, goods, and animals. You can see and hear (and smell) the scene! The press, the noise, the odor of animals and the travelers replaced the scent of worship, the sweet sound of prayer, and the weighty presence of God’s glory.


Jesus had enough.

v. 16 And he would not give space for anyone to carry their goods through the Temple.

And he shut down the corridors and pushed them to return to their normal paths of merchandise outside the courtyard.

v. 17 Then, he taught them and said: “Has it not been written, ‘My house will bear the name House of Prayer for all tribes and nations; but you have turned it into a safe house for robbers and gangsters.”

The temple is a place not “of” but “for” prayer for every tribe, language, culture, and geography; that God-fearers might seek the Father.

Instead, it has become a safe house for brigands, usurers, and gangsters in league with the cartel of priests, animal merchandisers, and money brokers.

v. 18 And the chief priests and religious legal experts heard this and they plotted how they might kill him; for they all feared him because they saw the crowd was amazed at Jesus’ teaching.

The result is reinforced that Jesus has to go. This man, this single person, must be sacrificed for the good of the nation of Israel (e.g. the established money-making scheme and the status quo); hence the “prophecy” of the High Priest that “validated” Jesus’ murder.

Because the people hung on Jesus words, the religious ruling class was cautious in proceeding in the plot to kill Jesus. The words mean a continuous action of plotting and conniving and watching in order to accomplish what was in their hearts.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes Matthew 22:34-40

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Matthew 22:34-40

v. 34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 

The word means “gagged” as in shut them down completely. Like the muzzle on an ox.

The Pharisees were overjoyed to see the Sadducees put in their place. So, they huddled up to come up with their own question.

vv. 35-36 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

This is someone who lives by the law, interprets the law for others. It’s an honest question that a seeker might have; it’s a trap if he can get Jesus to dismiss part of the code in favor of another.

Interesting factoid about the law and the lawyers: “The scribes declared that there were 248 affirmative precepts, as many as the members of the human body; and 365 negative precepts, as many as the days in the year, the total being 613, the number of letters in the Decalogue” from Robertson/Vincent.

Jesus wasn’t caught in the trap of talking minutiae and getting stuck in siderail issues. Love God with all you have; love others out of the healthy love you have for yourself.

How do you determine a commandment is great? Is it great because of the limitations it brings (I must wear fringes around my robe to be holy) or because of the freedom it brings? Love the Lord; Love others like you esteem yourself. Against such there is no law.

The word for “trap him” may have been simply to “test Jesus” to give him a conundrum that would test his mettle in determining a righteous answer.

v.37-38 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. 

This was written on a little piece of parchment and contained in a tiny square box and worn on the arm as a reminder of the Greatest Commandment. The lawyer was likely wearing this very verse.

v. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

This law was pulled from a chapter on ceremonial rules; but it was given a high place of honor by Jesus as he combined it with the first and greatest. The vertical and the horizontal driven by a passionate love was the positive rule to live by. This has been called the Great Commandment alongside the Great Commission in Mt 28.

v. 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Out of the whole of the revelation of God’s Word, this is the summation. Base on, hung on like two balances to all the compendium of the law. Without these two in clear position, the law is cumbersome. Only Mark shares the Lawyer’s response. He affirms it and leans into Jesus’ teachings.