Acts 1:12-26

Introduction:

1. The last section closed with Jesus ascending back to heaven (1:9-10).

2. As the apostles gazed into the heavens, an angel assured them that Jesus would return in the same way in which He left (vs. 11; cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

3. This section teaches us many important truths about waiting for His promises.

Discussion:

I. They Continued in One Accord

A. Keeping Jesus’ commandments, the disciples returned to Jerusalem to await the promised Holy Spirit together (vv. 4-8, 12).

B. Their togetherness was more than a common location:

1. In One Accord: Gr. homothymadon; from Homos: same and thoomos: “intense expression of inner desires” (BDAG); “passion” (Strong)

2. They were together with a singular desire or passion.

II. They Continued in Prayer

A. The force of the verb indicates a continual manner of life; the ESV captures this stating they “were devoting themselves to prayer...”

B. They kept Jesus’ command and example to pray (Luke 5:16; 18:1-8).

III. They Continued in Preparation

A. Peter broke the silence, detailing the need to replace Judas (vv. 15-20).

B. The betrayal of David prefigured the betrayal of Jesus (vs. 20; Psalms 69:25; 109:8; John 13:18; Psalms 41:9; 2 Samuel 16:23; 17:14, 23; Matthew 27:5).

C. The full complement of 12 apostles “must” be restored (vs. 22).

D. The replacement had to be chosen by the Lord, a man who went in and out with them, and who had witnessed the resurrected Lord (vv. 21-22).

E. They were now fully prepared to receive the promised Holy Spirit.

IV. While We Are Waiting

A. Like the disciples in Acts 1, we too are awaiting a promise from God; they awaited the Spirit’s outpouring, and we await the Lord’s return.

B. While we await this promise we too should:

1. Continue together in one accord (Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 1:10).

2. Continue in prayer (Luke 18:1-8; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

3. Continue in preparation (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; 2 Peter 3:11-14).

Conclusion:

1. The Spirit came as promised (Acts 2), and so the Lord will come (vs. 11).

2. As they waited united in faith, so must we wait united in faith.