Acts 1:12–26: The Holy Spirit for the Whole Church
Introduction
After Jesus’ departure, the church has some time on its hands. Jesus had been among them for forty days after his resurrection, but now he has ascended into heaven. He has promised that they will receive the promise of the Holy Spirit “not many days from now” (Acts 1:5), so the church finds themselves in a time of waiting. How will they pass the time? There might have been a temptation to relax, to catch up on other errands they needed to run, or to try to get a break after the difficult days they faced during Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Nevertheless, the disciples devote themselves rather to prayer, Scripture study, and officer elections. These are not activities to pass the time, but these were preparatory for the church’s entry into an important reality, which is that God’s Spirit dwells in God’s church.
Discussion Questions
1. Why did the disciples go to Jerusalem (v. 12; cf. Acts 1:4)? Who all was in the upper room (vv. 13–14)? What do we learn from the expression “with one accord” (v. 14)? In what sense were they “devoting themselves to prayer” as they awaited the Holy Spirit (v. 14)? How do the Scriptures relate prayer and the Holy Spirit (e.g., Luke 11:13; Acts 4:31; Rom. 8:26–27)? How do you experience the Holy Spirit in prayer?
2. How does Peter’s speech relate to (or, arise from) the prayers of the early church (v. 15)? What does it mean that the Scriptures “had to be fulfilled” (v. 16a)? How does the description of the Holy Spirit’s speaking through David shape our understanding of the verbal inspiration of Scripture (v. 16b)? What do the Old Testament Scriptures teach us about Judas (v. 20)?
3. What are the qualifications for apostles (vv. 21–22)? How do these qualifications help us to understand the nature and the role of the apostles? How do these qualifications help us to respond to Roman Catholic claims of the “apostolic succession” of the papacy? What do the prayers of the early church teach us about the Lord’s priorities for office-bearers in the church (vv. 24–25)?
4. Do you seek a greater filling of the Holy Spirit in your own prayer life (Luke 11:13; Eph. 3:16–19; 5:18)? What might change about your prayers if you did? How do the officers of the church relate to the church’s experience of the Holy Spirit? How might you pray for the elders and deacons who serve at your church to more fully help the church to be filled with the Holy Spirit? What is one thing you need to pray for right now?
