Acts

The book of Acts.

1. The Ascension

'given commands through the holy spirit' = something distinct from the baptism of the Holy Spirit which they're about to receive

3 - Jesus still had teaching for them after he rose from the dead. He still had to instruct them fully on what the kingdom of God was to look like. (As they're still expecting the kingdom of Israel to be restored v. 6) Still it seems like they weren't quite getting it until Pentecost. Only then - even though the apostles would make many mistakes - they would establish Christ's kingdom throughout the Mediterranean by preaching and faith, miracles, tongues, etc.

9-11: Ascension.

16: David's poetry was breathed in the speech of God's Holy Spirit.

20: Regardless of David's authorial intent, these verses are fulfilled - plerothenai - filled up, crammed up out of context - by God's providence and the acts of men in history, giving them a deeper meaning than we would have understood merely from reviewing the verses alone as exegetes in David's day.

21-26: Interestingly, we don't really hear much about Matthias afterwards and at no point is this casting of lots confirmed as the right decision on Peter's part. What happens after Pentecost is perhaps in contrast to this Acts 1 since of confusion.

2. Pentecost and Peter’s Sermon

1-13: Takes place as if it were a mass hysteria. We pride ourselves on our individuality, but nevertheless our bodies and nervous systems and hearts are connected to many others in various ways, and God can move not just through individuals but congregations.

Peter's Sermon - quotes Joel in a straightforward way; quotes David in a marvelous way - David couldn't fully fulfill the meaning of his own prophetic poetry, it would have to be David's heir who truly lived it out.

30-31: Peter interprets Psalm 16:10 as David having prophetic authorial intent.

33-36: Jesus is exalted in heaven at the right hand of God until all his enemies have been made a footstool.

37-41: The proper response to the gospel is to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Your sins forgiven, you receive spiritual gifts.

Peter tells us that the divine promise, the covenant blessings of God, are to all families: not just adults but their children; not just those near Jerusalem but the whole diaspora - I assume at this point Peter may still mean 'all Jews who are far off.' Even here Peter might not fully realize that God is truly calling ALL PEOPLES, as he has not yet had his vision of unclean foods being declared clean.

The Promise, the blessings that God has promised to the descendants of Abraham, is fulfilled in repentance, baptism, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

42-47:

Having inherited the Promises of God through faith, through the work of the Holy Spirit, what is left for us to do? Teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, prayers, signs and wonders, sharing our wealth in common, taking care of the needy, gratitude, praising God. That is it. That is the Christian life. We might not always have a huge temple to sit around with thousands of people doing this, but this is what your Sunday should look like and this is what your week should look like. Sometimes it's just peaceful and joyful; at a certain it can inspire conflict and persecution. Regardless that koinonia is what should mark our way of life.

47: 'the Lord added to their number'

Church growth people should focus on that phrasing. If they want more people, they should ask God to bring more people.