Post by kim on Sept 22, 2006 22:04:16 GMT -5
ACTS 1:1-12
(7-8)
The disciples' question:
* The disciples were referring to the expected restoration of the national theocracy of Israel... a physical freedom of the nation of Israel from its foreign occupation.
** The disciples were confused, not understsanding that Jesus was going to leave them again.
Jesus's response: This is very important. He reminds them it isn't theirs to know, that the Father has it under control. He redirects them to the Holy Spirit, that they will be His witnesses in Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
DISCUSSION: (Do you see this happening today? Jesus redirects them to the Holy Spirit. How do you understand this? Who is the Holy Spirit? Is it as simple as waiting for Him?)
Putting oneself in the disciples' shoes:
The disciples had walked with Jesus for three years. They and Jesus... a one-to-one relationship. He chose each one of them, called them each by his name. He taught them what love really was. And when He died, they didn't understand it. They didn't know He was coming back in three days. They were grieving. They must have been so confused and angry and scared. Why Jesus didn't fight back or argue His innocence. Angry at the injustice of it all. I mean, their best friend was gone.
And when He came back, they didn't know He was going to leave them again. They thought He was going to restore the kingdom of Israel. They didn't know He was going to leave again.
(12-26)
What do the disciples do after Jesus leaves them?
- They obey Jesus by staying in Jerusalem like Jesus commanded.
- They join together constantly in prayer.
-They replace Judas, returning to "Twelve".
They decided to choose a guy to replace Judas. Their criteria was that he had known Jesus personally during the time Jesus had been annointed with the Holy Spirit. They determined God's voice by throwing dice. But, I have heard it suggested by a few sources that God's real choice was Paul, that the disciples were jumping the gun here. It makes sense, as the disciples had not yet received the Holy Spirit, through whom God communicates to man throughout Acts. Also, Jesus had personally called each of the disciples... and he personally called Paul, unlike the disciples' choice of Matthias. And I don't think they try to determine God's will again in Acts by throwing dice. That is hugely encouraging to me, as it says a lot about the voice of God... that it is as clear as Jesus' voice during His three years with the disciples and not just something to be guessed at like a wet finger in the wind.
Of Paul: (Acts 22:14) "... The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard".
(7-8)
The disciples' question:
* The disciples were referring to the expected restoration of the national theocracy of Israel... a physical freedom of the nation of Israel from its foreign occupation.
** The disciples were confused, not understsanding that Jesus was going to leave them again.
Jesus's response: This is very important. He reminds them it isn't theirs to know, that the Father has it under control. He redirects them to the Holy Spirit, that they will be His witnesses in Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
DISCUSSION: (Do you see this happening today? Jesus redirects them to the Holy Spirit. How do you understand this? Who is the Holy Spirit? Is it as simple as waiting for Him?)
Putting oneself in the disciples' shoes:
The disciples had walked with Jesus for three years. They and Jesus... a one-to-one relationship. He chose each one of them, called them each by his name. He taught them what love really was. And when He died, they didn't understand it. They didn't know He was coming back in three days. They were grieving. They must have been so confused and angry and scared. Why Jesus didn't fight back or argue His innocence. Angry at the injustice of it all. I mean, their best friend was gone.
And when He came back, they didn't know He was going to leave them again. They thought He was going to restore the kingdom of Israel. They didn't know He was going to leave again.
(12-26)
What do the disciples do after Jesus leaves them?
- They obey Jesus by staying in Jerusalem like Jesus commanded.
- They join together constantly in prayer.
-They replace Judas, returning to "Twelve".
They decided to choose a guy to replace Judas. Their criteria was that he had known Jesus personally during the time Jesus had been annointed with the Holy Spirit. They determined God's voice by throwing dice. But, I have heard it suggested by a few sources that God's real choice was Paul, that the disciples were jumping the gun here. It makes sense, as the disciples had not yet received the Holy Spirit, through whom God communicates to man throughout Acts. Also, Jesus had personally called each of the disciples... and he personally called Paul, unlike the disciples' choice of Matthias. And I don't think they try to determine God's will again in Acts by throwing dice. That is hugely encouraging to me, as it says a lot about the voice of God... that it is as clear as Jesus' voice during His three years with the disciples and not just something to be guessed at like a wet finger in the wind.
Of Paul: (Acts 22:14) "... The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard".