Acts Chapter 1

SECTION OUTLINE ONE (ACTS 1)

Luke opens Acts, his second book, with a review of the ascension of Jesus. The twelve apostles choose Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot.

I. The Action on the Mount of Olives (1:1–11)

A. The assurance from Jesus (1:1–8)

1. The confirmation (1:1–3)

a. The recorder (1:1b): Luke the physician wrote the book of Luke and is the author of the book of Acts.

b. The recipient (1:1a): He writes to someone named Theophilus.

c. The reason (1:2–3): He writes to confirm the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

2. The command (1:4–5): The disciples (called “apostles” in Acts) are to remain in Jerusalem until they are baptized with the Holy Spirit.

3. The confusion (1:6): The apostles want to know if Jesus will establish his kingdom at this time.

4. The clarification (1:7): Jesus tells them that the Father will determine when that will occur.

5. The commission (1:8): Meanwhile, they are to witness for Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and throughout the whole world!

B. The ascension of Jesus (1:9–11)

1. The action (1:9): Jesus is taken up before their eyes.

2. The attendants (1:10): Two white-robed men suddenly stand beside them.

3. The assurance (1:11): The two men tell the amazed apostles that Jesus will return someday just as he left!

II. The Action in the Upper Room (1:12–26)

A. The prayer meeting (1:12–15): Those present are:

1. The eleven apostles (1:12–13)

2. Mary the mother of Jesus and other godly women (1:14a)

3. The half brothers of Jesus (1:14b)

4. In all, 120 people (1:15)

B. The business meeting (1:16–26)

1. In regard to the defection of Judas (1:16–20)

a. The suicide (1:18–19): Luke records graphically how Judas died.

b. The Scriptures (1:16–17, 20): Peter quotes from Psalms 69:25 and 109:8, which predicted Judas’s death and replacement.

2. In regard to the election of Matthias (1:21–26)

a. The conditions (1:21–22): The new apostle has to be a longtime believer and one who saw the resurrected Christ.

b. The candidates (1:23): Two men are nominated—Barsabbas and Matthias.

c. The counsel (1:24–25): The disciples seek God’s will in prayer and by casting lots.

d. The choice (1:26): The lot falls on Matthias.