Scofield Reference Notes The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, SCOFIELD REFERENCE NOTES (Old Scofield 1917 Edition)
Book Introduction The Acts of the Apostles WRITER. In the Acts of the Apostles Luke continues the account of Christianity begun in the Gospel which bears his name. In the "former treatise" he tells what Jesus "began both to do and teach"; in the Acts, what Jesus continued to do and teach through His Holy Spirit sent down. DATE. The Acts concludes with the account of Paul's earliest ministry in Rome, A.D. 65, and appears to have been written at or near that time. THEME. This book records the ascension and promised return of the Lord Jesus, the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter's use of the keys, opening the kingdom (considered as the sphere of profession, as in Mat. 13) to the Jews at Pentecost, and to the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius; the beginning of the Christian church and the conversion and ministry of Paul. The Holy Spirit fills the scene. As the presence of the Son, exalting and revealing the Father, is the great fact of the Gospels, Song the presence of the Spirit, exalting and revealing the Son, is the great fact of the Acts. Acts is in two chief parts: In the first section (1-9.43) Peter is the prominent personage, Jerusalem is the center, and the ministry is to Jews. Already in covenant relations with Jehovah, they had sinned in rejecting Jesus as the Christ. The preaching, therefore, was directed to that point, and repentance (i.e. "a changed mind") was demanded. The apparent failure of the Old Testament promises concerning the Davidic kingdom was explained by the promise that the kingdom would be set up at the return of Christ (Acts 2.25-31 Acts 15.14-16). This ministry to Israel fulfilled Lk 19.12-14. In the persecutions of the apostles and finally in the martyrdom of Stephen, the Jews sent after the king the message, "We will not have this man to reign over us." In the second division (10.1-28.31) Paul is prominent, a new center is established at Antioch, and the ministry is chiefly to Gentiles who, as "strangers from the covenants of promise" (Ep 2.12), had but to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" to be saved. Chapters 11, 12, and 15 of this section are transitional, establishing finally the distinction, doctrinally, between law and grace. Galatians should be read in this connection. The events recorded in The Acts cover a period of 32 years. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. Margin being assembled
Or, eating with them. Margin ye have heard Or, heard from me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? [1] again the kingdom to Israel
Forty days the risen Lord had been instructing the apostles "of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God," doubtless, according to His custom Lk 24:27,32,44,45 teaching them out of the Scriptures. One point was left untouched, viz., the time when He would restore the kingdom to Israel; hence the apostles' question. The answer was according to His repeated teaching; the time was God's secret. Mt 24:36,42,44 25:13 1Th 5:1. Margin restore See Scofield Note: "Mt 3:2". For Another Point of View See Scofield Note: 301232 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. [1] come
The two Advents--Summary: (1) The O.T. foreview of the coming Messiah is in two aspects--that of rejection and suffering (as e.g. in Is 53), and that of earthly glory and power (as e.g. In Is 11 Jer 23 Ezek 37). Often these two aspects blend in one passage (e.g. Ps 2). The prophets themselves were perplexed by this seeming contradiction 1Pet 1:10,11. It was solved by partial fulfilment. In due time the Messiah, born of a virgin according to Isaiah, appeared among men and began His ministry by announcing the predicted kingdom as "at hand." See Scofield Note: "Mt 4:17". The rejection of King and kingdom followed. (2) Thereupon the rejected King announced His approaching crucifixion, resurrection, departure, and return (Mat. 24., 25). Mt 12:38-40 16:1-4,21,27 Lk 12:35-46 17:20-36 18:31-34 19:12-27. (3) He uttered predictions concerning the course of events between His departure and return Mt 13:1-50 16:18 24:4-26 (4) This promised return of Christ becomes a prominent theme in the Acts, Epistles, and Revelation. Taken together, the N.T. teachings concerning the return of Jesus Christ may be summarized as follows: (1) That return is an event, not a process, and is personal and corporeal Mt 23:39 24:30 25:31 Mk 14:62 Lk 17:24 Jn 14:3 Acts 1:11 Phil 3:20,21 1Th 4:14-17. (2) His coming has a threefold relation: to the church, to Israel, to the nations. (a) To the church the descent of the Lord into the air to raise the sleeping and change the living saints is set forth as a constant expectation and hope Mt 24:36,44,48-51 25:13 1Cor 15:51,52 Phil 3:20 1Th 1:10 4:14-17 1Tim 6:14 Ti 2:13 Rev 22:20. (b) To Israel, the return of the Lord is predicted to accomplish the yet unfulfilled prophecies of her national regathering, conversion, and establishment in peace and power under the Davidic Covenant Acts 15:14-17 with Zech 14:1-9. See "Kingdom (O.T.)" 2Sam 7:8-17. See Scofield Note: "Zech 13:8" Lk 1:31-33 See Scofield Note: "1Cor 15:24" (c) To the Gentile nations the return of Christ is predicted to bring the destruction of the present political world-system Dan 2:34,35. See Scofield Note: "Rev 19:11", the judgment of Mt 25:31-46 followed by world-wide Gentile conversion and participation in the blessings of the kingdom Isa 2:2-4 11:10 60:3 Zech 8:3,20,23 14:16-21. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. Margin journey
About 4854 feet. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. Margin Zelotes
The Zealot. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Margin bishoprick
Gr. episkopen, overseership. See "elders" See Scofield Note: "Ti 1:5" Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. Margin transgression
Sin. See Scofield Note: "Rom 3:23". And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition) Bible Apps.com |
