Read or listen The Acts of the Apostles Chapter 1 online (ESV, Bible Gateway)

Continuation of the Gospel of Luke – Acts 1:1-3

Both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are addressed to the high-ranking Theophilus. The name Teofilos means "God-loving", which is why some researchers have considered the name a pseudonym or nickname. Whether the name is real or a pseudonym, we know nothing about the recipient of Luke’s writings.

In ancient times, it was common for the person to whom a book was dedicated to be responsible for supporting the author financially and often also for copying and distributing the book. It is possible that Theophilus was the “publisher” of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:4-5

Jesus does not send disciples to conquer the world with their own means, but promises the disciples a helper and guide, the Holy Spirit. The disciples must wait for Him in Jerusalem for a few days.

It has been 40 days since Passover and there are 10 days until Pentecost. At Pentecost, the Jews celebrate the Feast of Weeks, one of the three great Jewish feasts. The final period of salvation history is about to begin.

Jesus is taken up into heaven – Acts 1:6-11

The disciples also understood that a new era was beginning. That is why they asked Jesus if he would now take the kingdom for himself. The Old Testament Messianic prophecies often spoke of a king (for example, Psalm 2), so the Jews of Jesus' time expected the Messiah to be a king who would deliver his people from the hands of their enemies (compare John 6:14-15).

The disciples also questioned Jesus during his earthly life whether he was truly the Messiah-king promised by God (compare Matthew 16:21-23). ​​Those expectations were at their highest when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:1-11). That is why the disciples were greatly disappointed when Jesus did not end up on the throne of the king on Good Friday, but on the central cross of Golgotha. But would it be time to take the kingship now?

In his answer, Jesus indicates that his kingdom will only be realized at the end of time, at his second coming. But the disciples should not speculate on the timing of that, as only the Father knows that (Matthew 24:36).

We too can be without worry if someone claims to know the time of the end of the world. He is wrong. One characteristic of heresies is that they know more about God than he himself has revealed in the Bible! Our days are in God's hands.

A glimpse of the life of the early church - Acts 1:12-14

The Mount of Olives is about a kilometer from Jerusalem, where the disciples returned after Jesus ascended to heaven. In Jerusalem, time is spent praying.

The group of disciples numbered about 120 people and consisted of the following three groups:
- 11 disciples
- women who had followed Jesus during his public ministry and had already helped with the gospel (Luke 8:1-4)
- Jesus' family: Mary and Jesus' brothers, who at least now saw who their brother was (compare John 7:5)

In addition, there were other followers of Jesus.

In the Acts of the Apostles we get several small glimpses of the life of the early church. Often the group of first Christians is idealized: in their time everything was fine, there were no difficulties. But the Acts of the Apostles reveals not only the great works of the Spirit, but also the activities of the enemy of souls. He has not left the church of God alone for a moment (cf. Acts 5:1-11).

The fate of Judas Iscariot - Acts 1:15-20

Judas Iscariot had unknowingly fulfilled the prophecy of David’s statement: The Messiah would be betrayed by his close friend (Ps 41:9):

"Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me."

Realizing that his actions had led to Jesus' death, Judas returned the money to the temple and committed suicide. The money was used to purchase the potter's field:

"So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers."
(Matt. 27:7)

Here again the Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled, this time Zechariah 11:13:

"Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord, to the potter."

The fact that Judas returned the money and repented of his actions has led some scholars to speculate that Judas’ ultimate intention in betraying Jesus may have been to “help” Jesus. Perhaps Judas thought that Jesus did not seem capable of starting a rebellion and thus delaying his accession to the kingship. Judas wanted to speed up events and pit Jesus against the Roman army. In that case, Jesus would surely show his power.

The theory is quite intriguing. But it could just as well be that the return of the money is an expression of regret from a person who has "regained their sight."

More apostles needed - Acts 1:21-26

In verse 20, Peter refers to the prophecy at Ps 109:8 that Judas must be replaced by another.

"May his days be few;
may another take his office!"
(Ps 109:8)

Why did the group of 12 disciples have to be complete? Apparently the reason is to be found in the events of Pentecost. At Pentecost, "a new Israel" was born, a new Chosen People, that is, those who believe that Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God.

The patriarch of the Old Covenant, Israel (or Jacob), had had twelve sons, and thus there were twelve tribes in the Chosen People. Likewise, at the time of the birth of the New Covenant, there were to be twelve “fathers,” or apostles. Later, the apostles were no longer added. Jacob’s place was left vacant when he was beheaded (Acts 12:1-4).

The new apostle was to be one of those who had followed Jesus since John's baptism. Two were nominated, and Matthias was chosen by prayer and by casting lots.

Casting lots was one way to find a solution that was in God’s will (Proverbs 16:33). Casting lots has also been used in other religions. But it is worth remembering that casting lots was preceded by prayer. We cannot leave God's guidance to chance or signs, but God wants to speak to us.

Joseph Barsabbas was left aside this time. God had another mission for him. We too should find our place in the body of Christ (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12), that is, in the church. Once we have found our place, there is no longer any reason for jealousy or bitterness. It can be said that only such a person can be free, who is in his own place - in the place for which they are meant.