What is significant about the number “twelve”?
(Acts 1:1-26; Luke 24:44-49) Blog July 1-7, 2018
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
INTRODUCTION: After researching and writing his gospel the gentile physician, Luke, continues his report concerning Christianity in the book of Acts. There he goes on to tell Theophilus the story of the early church. The name of the recipient of this treatise means “Lover of God.” All those who with Theophilus love God will love Luke’s account of the growth of the early church. In it we will see how God worked together with his church in dealing with division, persecution, opposition, and expansion.
Jesus’ final instructions (Acts 1:1-8; Luke 24:21, 25, 44-49; John 16:12-16)
1. According to Dr. Luke what instructions had Jesus given to his disciples after his resurrection?
2. What specific subject of Jesus teaching does Luke mention in Acts 1:3?
3. What previously promised baptism did Jesus say his disciples would shortly receive?
4. What question did those gathered at the time of Jesus’ ascension ask him?
5. What does the disciples question tell us about their view of prophecy?
6. What truth about Israel did the disciples still need to comprehend?
7. Rather than answer his disciples question about the restoration of Israel to what did Jesus point them?
8. Why would the disciples be confused about the kingdom of God?
9. Of what did Jesus tell his disciples they were to speak in their witness?
Preparation for Pentecost (Acts 1:9-14; 5:34; Jn. 16:7; Lu. 11:13; 24:50-53; 2 Chron. 6:27)
10. According to John 16 what did Jesus say must happen before the Holy Spirit would be sent to indwell his disciples?
11. How did Jesus leave his disciples and with what assurance?
12. After Christ’s ascension what did the disciples do?
13. What does the Bible say is a prerequisite to receiving the rain of God’s Spirit?
14. Why did Jesus’ disciples have to wait to receive the Holy Spirit?
Church organization (Acts 1:15-26; Matt. 10:1-4)
15. Were the 120 in the upper room united in harmony with God and his will?
16. What right did Peter have to initiate the search for a replacement for Judas?
17. What is significant about the number “twelve”?
18. On what grounds did Peter intend to choose a replacement for Judas?
19. Did Peter run ahead of the will of God by seeking a replacement for Judas?
20. How was Matthias chosen to replace Judas?
21. What qualifications for an Apostle are given in this chapter?
ANSWERS: 1. That it was necessary for all the prophecies concerning him to be fulfilled, including his death & resurrection, and that they were witnesses of these things so, therefore, must preach repentance & forgiveness in his name beginning in Jerusalem & spreading to all the world; 2. The kingdom of God; 3. That they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit; 4. “Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”; 5. That they believed all the Old Testament predictions & promises were to be fulfilled to Abraham’s seed according to the flesh; 6. That Jesus, himself, was Israel, the Representative of the nation, & that all those found in him by faith were the true Israel of God to whom all the Old Testament promises & predictions were to be fulfilled – Israelites according to the flesh would have no part in these; 7. To their need of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in order to become his worldwide witnesses; 8. Because their Scriptures foretold of a kingly Messiah who would reign eternally & of a suffering Messiah that would die for the sins of his people & they were slow to believe the prophets & needed the instruction of Jesus & the baptism of the Holy Spirit in order to distinguish the two comings of the Messiah; 9. Of him, Jesus, the Saviour & Representative of his people who would give repentance & forgiveness to all who accept him by faith – the Gospel; 10. He must go away; 11. He was taken up into a cloud & two angels came to explain that he would come again in like manner; 12. They returned to the upper room in Jerusalem & united in prayer; 13. Prayer & obedience; 14. Because only he had lived a life deserving of the Holy Spirit & that gift would not be given him until his offering & sacrifice were presented to the Father & accepted by him – only then could he give the gift to his undeserving disciples; 15. Yes, most assuredly so; 16. Because Christ had placed him as first leader of the early church & had reinstated him in that position beside the Sea of Galilee; 17. It is the number that relates to organization – there were twelve tribes of Israel that made up God’s people in the Old Testament; 18. On the grounds of Holy Scripture, a gathered church, & united prayer; 19. No, Christ had organized his church on earth & he expected it to handle any issues that came up; 20. By Scriptural instruction, group nomination, prayer for God’s guidance, & a vote; 21. That they observed Jesus in his ministry, death, resurrection, & ascension.