Acts Part 06

Acts 1:9-11 describes Christ’s ascension into heaven. As the apostles watched, Jesus was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. This was another event the apostles witnessed with their own eyes, adding to the evidence they could share as they preached the Gospel, even in difficult situations. Christ had prepared them from the time He first chose them, giving them abundant evidence that He was the Messiah and the Son of God.

As the apostles continued looking toward heaven, two men in white apparel stood beside them. These were angels serving as messengers on behalf of God. Angels sometimes appeared as men dressed in white, as seen in John 20:11-12, when Mary saw two angels in white at Jesus’ tomb.

The angels told the apostles, 

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” 

Christ’s return will mirror His ascension. He ascended physically and visibly, in the clouds, and He will return in like manner.

Revelation 1:7 confirms this: 

“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”

After Christ’s ascension, the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which was a Sabbath day’s journey away. This location is significant because the angels had just explained that Christ would return in the same manner as He ascended. Zechariah 14:4 prophesies that when Christ returns, His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the mountain will split in two, forming a large valley.  

Over the centuries, many people have chosen to be buried on the Mount of Olives because of this prophecy, so that they can be first to meet Jesus Christ as He returns.

A Sabbath day’s journey was just over half a mile. The restriction on traveling only this distance on the Sabbath was a Jewish addition to the law, rather than a command directly given in Scripture.

When the apostles returned, they went to the upper room where they were staying. This may have been the same upper room used at Passover, and it is possible that it was the home of Mark’s mother. The eleven apostles are listed by name: Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.

In verse 14, the apostles continued together “with one accord in prayer and supplication,” along with the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus’ brothers. Being ‘of one accord’ indicates that they were united in mind and purpose. Their example demonstrates the power of praying together with a humble and united attitude toward God.

The women mentioned may have included those who had followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered to Him. Matthew 27:55-56 names Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. Luke 24:9-10 also mentions Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women who reported the events at Jesus’ tomb to the apostles.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is also present. While Jesus was on the cross, He entrusted His mother to the care of John the Apostle. This passage is the last time Mary is mentioned in Scripture.

Jesus’ brothers are also included. Mark 6:3 names His brothers as James, Joses, Judas, and Simon, and mentions His sisters as well. John 7:5 tells us that His brothers did not believe in Him during His ministry. By this point, however, they had become believers in Jesus as the Son of God.

James would later become an important leader in the Church and is traditionally associated with the book of James. Paul specifically mentions that the risen Christ appeared to James in 1 Corinthians 15:4-8, which also records Christ appearing to Cephas, the twelve, more than five hundred people at once, all the apostles, and finally Paul himself. These appearances provided further testimony to Christ’s resurrection.

Finally, the words prayer and supplication are often used together because they have similar meanings. Supplication specifically emphasizes a petition or request made to God. The apostles and those gathered with them were united in bringing their requests before Him as they waited for the promised Holy Spirit.

Acts of the Apostles is a course taught at ABC by Mr. Darris McNeely. Recordings from the 2022–2023 class year are available on the ABC website.

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.