Notes and References

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Acts of the Apostles

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Acts Chapter 1:12-26

Note for the intro: The Kingdom of Israel (Canaan) was first divided by Moses unto the 12 tribes of Jacob in Numbers 33:54 by lot.

Also I want to clarify I am NOT a Greek scholar - I said that in the previous video and meant to say student. I know some Greek, can read the Greek, but in no way fully comprehend it all. That is why I use the Lexicons available for study. ( I also have to know Greek in order to code these pages so you can read Greek on the screen.) Let's move on and finish up Chapter 1

Acts 1:12-26

12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

Sabbath Day's Journey from Albert Barnes Notes
A sabbath-day’s journey - As far as might be lawfully traveled by a Jew on the Sabbath. This was 2,000 paces or cubits, or seven furlongs and a half - not quite one mile. See the notes On Mat 24:20. The distance of a lawful journey on the Sabbath was not fixed by the laws of Moses, but the Jewish teachers had fixed it at 2,000 paces. This measure was determined on because it was a tradition that in the camp of the Israelites, when coming from Egypt, no part of the camp was more than 2000 paces from the tabernacle, and over this space, therefore, they were permitted to travel for worship. Perhaps, also, some countenance was given to this from the fact that this was the extent of the suburbs of the Levitical cities, Num 35:5. Mount Olivet was only 5 furlongs from Jerusalem, and Bethany was 15 furlongs. But on the eastern declivity of the mountain the tract of country was called, for a considerable space, the region of Bethany; and it was from this place that the Lord Jesus ascended.

When Jesus was speaking of the signs of His coming this verse talks about the Sabbath day and the Sabbath laws for travel would be in force.

Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

Lets move on.

Acts 1:13-15

13 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.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

15 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,)

Lets look at the names of the apostles in the Greek and how they were translated into English.

Peter - Πέτρος - Petros means piece of rock
James - Ιάκωβο  - Iakobos
John - Ιωάννης - Ioannes (Hebrew - Jochanan)
Andrew - Άνδρέας - Andreas
Philip - Φίλιππος - Philippos means fond of horses
Thomas - Θωμας - Thomas
Bartholomew - Βαρθολομαΐος - Bartholomaios
Matthew - Ματθαΐος - Matthaios
James - Ιάκωβος - Iakobos son of Alphaias
Simon Σιμον - Simon (Hebrew - Shimon) Zelotes - Ζηλωτης - Zelotes means zealot
Judas - Ιουδάς - Ioudas (Hebrew - Jehudah) or Jude - the brother of James

Soon appointed as the twelfth to take the place of Judas Iscariat
Matthias Ματθίας Matthias mat-thee'-as
From the Strong's Concordance

In the following verses Peter is quoting prophecy by King David from Psalms 69:25 and Psalms 109:8

Acts 1:16-26

16 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.

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18 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.

19 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.

20 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.

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 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.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Now I have heard preaching and teaching, (I may have preached it myself ignorantly), that Peter jumped the gun and should have waited for Paul. This is wrong in so many ways.

Here are the qualifications for the vacancy of Apostle in terms of the twelfth only, for Paul was truly an apostle as well as others.
1. Witness of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist
2. Witness of the earthly ministry of Jesus
3. Witness of the resurrected Jesus
4. Witness of the ascension of Jesus

From the Law of Moses

Deu_17:6  At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

Deu_19:15  One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

So you see Paul's qualifications to fill this vacancy was zero. We don't even know if Paul ever saw Jesus while here on earth.

Peter had the authority directly from Jesus. He quoted a prophecy to back up the direction or actions to be taken. Now the twelve rulers are ready to rule the twelve tribes of Israel when Jesus returns to set up His kingdom.

Here is a little side study for the word bishoprick = office in Psalms quoted by Peter and is the Hebrew word pequddah

G1984 (Strong's Concordance)

έπισκοπή
episkope
ep-is-kop-ay'
From G1980; inspection (for relief); by implication superintendence; specifically the Christian “episcopate”: - the office of a “bishop”, bishoprick, visitation.
Total KJV occurrences: 4

Luk 19:44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

The word 'visitation' = episkope

1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

This phrase 'office of a bishop' = episkope

Greek can be difficult, but also very enlightening as to meaning of scriptures. This is why some versions of bible translations differ. Greek words can be used in various forms interchangeably. Much of our English language has Greek roots and are recognizable in many of these Greek words we will study.

One thing is for sure, the Bible is a 'spiritual' book. Sometimes the literal translation or the most 'logical' is not necessarily the spiritual meaning. For instance:

Php 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. KJV

I want to key in on "my grace".

Other English translations say

Php 1:7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace. ASV