Luke continues with an explanation of the immediate responses of the Apostles after Jesus ascended back to heaven. They returned to Jerusalem, as Jesus instructed them to do, and were waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit. As they waited, they prayed. At this time, Peter stands before the group of followers and calls for a replacement for Judas Iscariot. In Peter's thinking, a replacement is necessary to fulfill the words of Jesus and therefore one must be chosen. Throughout Acts, we will repeatedly see the commitment of the Apostles to the mission and plan of God - a commitment to continue all that Jesus began to do and to teach. The Apostles are continually led by God throughout the book of Acts and as believers, we too must be led by God and committed to his following his purpose and plan.
Acts is a unique book in our New Testament, because it is the only book of history that we are given. As Luke writes, a second edition to his gospel, he continues with two vital themes – first, that Jesus offers salvation to men and second, that this work – the mission is accomplished – in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had already instructed his disciples about the Holy Spirit and his ongoing ministry to them and all who would come to believe in Jesus. Despite the obvious focus on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Acts, this book is about Jesus. Throughout Acts, Jesus is described as Lord (the most common title for Jesus in Acts), Jesus (67x), Christ (25x), Servant, Holy One, Just One, a Prophet like Moses, Savior, Son of God, Son of Man, Author of Life, Judge, Man and God. There is absolutely no question that Acts is the continuing account of all that Jesus began to do and to teach as presented in the gospel of Luke. The outline of Acts is very straightforward: Witnesses in Jerusalem (1-7), Witnesses in Judaea & Samaria (8-12), and Witnesses to the ends of the earth (13-28). Luke focuses throughout on this truth: You will receive power from the Holy Spirit and be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. May God strengthen us to be effective witnesses for Jesus.
