Discuss Acts 1 Page 12

The Bible doesn't give us any more details about Theophilus, the recipient of Luke's two 'manuscripts' ( Luke 1:3 & Acts 1:1). There have been speculations about this man, so I'll share here what I've researched about him:

a. he may have been a Jew from Alexandria, Egypt, to which John Wesley also attests.

b. a Roman official; because of the use of "O Theophilus" & "most excellent Theophilus", denoting someone of high rank in the Empire.

c. just an honorary title, since Theophilus (Theophilos) means "friend of God", so Luke wrote generally to all who came under that category. I can't subscribe to this, as it appears to me that Luke was addressing a particular person rather than anyone.

d. Paul's lawyer, since some of his expressions are used in law. Words such as 'eye witnesses, account & infallible proofs' are given in support.

e. the High Priest of the Temple at that time, Theophilus ben Ananus, also brother-in-law to Caiaphas - no doubt a handy connection to have.

So take your pick! Best to leave him just as a name & focus on the important accounts that Luke gives us to learn from.

Who was Theophilus ?

John says I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness"make strait the way of the Lord". How can a man be a voice crying in the wilderness? What wilderness? 1. Where is this wilderness? Is it real, is it someplace other than where you and I already exist? John proclaims Christ, "behold the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world"! And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost." 2. How is it possible for John to SEE the holy Ghost? let alone remaining on Christ? 3. John bares record with all this information that Jesus is the son of God! Can time and space be the kingdom of God! Is this the wilderness John speaks of? How does John see the Holy Ghost? Is John hallucinating? Maybe he has had to much honey to eat. Seeing the Holy Spirit in the wilderness of heaven (time and space) is an opportunity for all of us to see, that we may see through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ! Have you ever seen the Holy Ghost? Maybe you have but never realized it?

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. When you except Jesus Christ you are stepping into a sphere beyond all understanding! You are just beginning to see what the kingdom is and what is in store for those that believe on his name!

Hi Joshua. I'm glad you've stopped by today! It's always great to see new faces and their points of view.

May the Lord bless our time together.

i love the lord Jesus Christ my savor.

love it helps

The Rapture - the raising of the Church into heaven ( 1 Thessalonians 4:17): is the next event on the prophetic calendar. The Rapture is when Christ comes back and takes every Christian that is still on this earth and resurrects all of those who have died and takes them to heaven with Him. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8, Paul expresses that the Lord's return will be like a thief in the night. No one knows the date or time. However, there are several signs of the End Times that we can all be aware of. Events such as earthquakes and diseases, war and dispute among nations, and persecution against Christians are all signs leading to the Rapture.

SCRIPTURES TO LOOK UP:

Matthew chapter 24: 1-46

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:2

Revelation 1:7, 3:10

1 Corinthians 15: 51-53

Mark 13:32

John 14:1-3

Luke 21: 34-36; 12:40

Acts 1: 9-11

2 Peter 3:10-13

Hebrews 9:28

Philippians 3:20

Colossians 3:2

Ezekiel 18:4. Revelation 21

The Rapture - the raising of the Church into heaven ( 1 Thessalonians 4:17): is the next event on the prophetic calendar. The Rapture is when Christ comes back and takes every Christian that is still on this earth and resurrects all of those who have died and takes them to heaven with Him. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8, Paul expresses that the Lord's return will be like a thief in the night. No one knows the date or time. However, there are several signs of the End Times that we can all be aware of. Events such as earthquakes and diseases, war and dispute among nations, and persecution against Christians are all signs leading to the Rapture.

SCRIPTURES TO LOOK UP:

Matthew chapter 24: 1-46

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:2

Revelation 1:7, 3:10

1 Corinthians 15: 51-53

Mark 13:32

John 14:1-3

Luke 21: 34-36; 12:40

Acts 1: 9-11

2 Peter 3:10-13

Hebrews 9:28

Philippians 3:20

Colossians 3:2

Ezekiel 18:4. Revelation 21

Acts 1 v 11

Jesus left the earth and is coming back the same way , to the earth to reign . 1000 yrs .

Even so come Lord Jesus !

J. Reid from Canada :),

T. Levis from USA

This is a hugely debated issue within churches 4 sure.

John 13:34-35

Romans 16:17-18

2 Timothy 2:14-15

If there isn't a rapture could it be the cause of a great falling away?

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

Revelation 6:8-11

GOD be with us all who believe, love & trust HIM, to strengthen, hold, protect & keep us faithful

Jude 1:24-25

John 10:28-29

Genesis 5:21-24

2 Kings 2:11

Mark 16:19

Acts 1:6-9

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Mathew 24:37-46

I hope these are helpful

I think yes. Look:

Acts 1:12 Context

9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey

The Rapture - the raising of the Church into heaven ( 1 Thessalonians 4:17)-is the next event on the prophetic calendar. The Rapture is when Christ comes back and takes every Christian that is still on this earth and resurrects all of those who have died and takes them to heaven with Him. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8, Paul expresses that the Lord's return will be like a thief in the night. No one knows the date or time. However, there are several signs of the End Times that we can all be aware of. Events such as earthquakes and diseases, war and dispute among nations, and persecution against Christians are all signs leading to the Rapture.

SCRIPTURES TO LOOK UP:

Matthew chapter 24. 25: 1-46

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:2

Revelation 1:7, 3:10

1 Corinthians 15: 51-53

Mark 13:32

John 14:1-3

Luke 21: 34-36; 12:40

Acts 1: 9-11

2 Peter 3:10

Hebrews 9:28

Philippians 3:20

Colossians 3:2

Ezekiel 18:4

You can use the empty search box on the KJB website: type in 'Antichrist' and it will list other verses you should read.

Write them down so you can share with friends and family, you want to be in heaven with you.

A Pastor just said in a sermon, that watching the DVD named, The Passion: really shows how Christ suffered so we could be saved. God save you. Amen.

Mishael

You need a church & Pastor that believes, lives, and teaches the whole bible, all week not one or two hours on Sunday morning only. Study the first four books (of the KJV new testament BIBLE - Matthew - Mark - Luke - John plus Acts. I am near 80 and have read the 66 books (bible) many times and they are new every time. I love real personal testimonies - experiences of people today but not made up stories.

Acts 1:11

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

John 3:13

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Revelation 11:12

And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Matthew 18:10

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 24:30

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Luke 11:2

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Matthew 16:19

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mark 13:25

And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

********

These scriptures are enough to show you that heaven is above earth; in the north.

It would be helpful to google: "Third Heaven Bible" and see a teaching from a pastor.

People have actually tried to paint pictures of what they think the 3 heavens look like. Click on images. What you see, DO NOT believe literally, ok?

There are more. 3rd heaven scriptures. USE the sea arch Box to find them.

Mishael

Acts 1:10-20

This took place in a Upper Room. A prophesy Peter found about Judas Iscariot is discussed by the disciples. They are about to appoint a new 12th disciple.

I believe the Holy Spirit showed Peter of the prophesies about Judas Iscariot's betrayal. Jesus knew of the prophesy; He's God. It would explain lack of closeness with Judas.

The Commentary Page on this website says the prophesy is about Judas Iscariot.

This is one of those studies that you have to read at a snails pace, all of the center column references to get a clearer picture of prophesy with present circumstances.

I'm going to list the passages and let the scholars in here piece it together with Holy Spirit, our Helper: helping us rightly divide the Word of Truth.

Acts 1: 10:20

John 18:3

Matthew 26:55-56

Psalms 41:9, 55:23 (The Prophesy)

Isaiah 53:7 (Ch 53 all about Jesus)

Daniel 9:26

Lamentations 4:20

Leviticus 25:15

Deuteronomy 16:9

*when you Google on Judas; just use his last name & it'll get you to the right Judas.

Jesse,

Lots of feed-back, much appreciated.

First of all you are correct; you never said that the word teknon does not mean "child."

You actually said that the word kalos does not mean child, and again, you are correct.

I am sorry for the misunderstanding.

As far as the topic of repentance, I would refer to the definitions of the two Greek words offered previously, as they are both defined as "repent."

You bring up some interesting ideas about Judas being sorry but not repenting, , but I fully believe the words of Matthew 27:3 to be literal and true on face value; that is, Judas "repented himself."

Concerning Acts 1:18, again, I have never heard of anyone that can commit suicide by cutting themselves open from their Adam's apple to their belly button. That is one tough person. You say that it is possible. I disagree. You do provide interesting theories as well as historical basis to show how this may have happened.

I will offer another. The high priest (appointed by the Roman governor) that falsely accused Jesus likely did not want Judas to remain alive after he threw the money back at them and looked like he was sorry for what he did: So they murdered Judas also.

Your understanding of the unpardonable sin is thought provoking.

I never quite looked at it in that light but can definitely see how it applies throughout one's lifetime in a general way.

I would have to again lean on the Scripture already provided in Matthew 12:32, as well as Mark 3:29 and Luke 12:10.

"And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

next page

(Part 3:)

Acts 1:18 says, 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.

You ask me if I know of anyone that can commit suicide by this process? (It is possible).

You say that Acts 1:18 states that Judas "bowels gushed out." This means that Judas was disemboweled. (Well, it does not say that someone disemboweled him). Acts 1:18 indicates to me that he committed suicide.

I've heard of three theories as to how he died. Number one, he hung himself but slipped out of the rope and burst open on the rocks below. The second theory is that he hung himself and his dead body became bloated from the heat and that he burst open while hanging. That is pretty "far-fetched!"

But the archaeological accounts actually say that people who in those days committed suicide, they would go up on a cliff or hillside and they throw themselves down on a pole. They impaled themselves. That's what they believed Judas did. He slit himself right in two and his bowels gushed out. And this was done in the field that the priests purchased with the money that Judas gave back.

What is my understanding of the unpardonable sin? First of all, Jesus says that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them to Him. A person cannot come to Christ for salvation unless the Holy Spirit first convicts them of their sin and their need of a Saviour. So when the Holy Spirit convicts a person's heart and shows them that they are a sinner in need of a Saviour, and that person fully rejects the testimony of God's Spirit and their need for Christ, they have committed what is called the unpardonable sin. It's when a person rejects the testimony of God's Spirit showing them their need for Christ. That person cannot be forgiven for that!

(More to follow)

Jesse,

Page 2

You stated; Judas was sorry for what he did (Metamelomai), and he ultimately ended up committing suicide. But he never repented (Metanoeo). He never surrendered his life to Christ. How does Acts 1:18 tell us that Judas had help with his death? Can you see how people might say Judas repented just like the bible tells us to do? Well, he didn't!

#3338 metamellomai- to care afterward, i.e. to repent; and is used for the word REPENT.

#3340 metanoeo- to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction); and is used for the word REPENT.

Not sure where you are going with this one either?

Is the Bible lying? Was Judas NOT sorry for what he did? Why was the statement made?

You state; Judas was sorry but he never repented!

Are you sure enough to claim that as fact?

Were you there?

Do you know the heart of Judas?

You then state: How does Acts 1:18 tell us that Judas had help with his death?

Acts 1:18 states that Judas "bowels gushed out." This means that Judas was disemboweled.

I know of no person that can commit suicide by this process.

Do you?

And no one would do this to him if he was ALREADY dead.

Try typing Andrew Wommack Ministries into Google or some other search engine - he has LOTS of free resources on his website. I hope this helps. A free online study Bible is e-sword. Type this into Google and see what you think. If you want a physical study Bible its worth visiting a Christian bookshop to find one that is perfect for you as there are many to choose from. I hope this helps. :-)

Hi Greg,

The word Huios changes my understanding because it is the only word for our English word son that is applied to Jesus. He is never called a Teknon (son). Jesus is always called the Huios of God. A Huios is someone who stands in line to inherit all things from the Father. That is Jesus Christ. The word Kalos does not mean child so I am not sure what you're asking?

You ask "Does this understanding of the Greek words mean that God is Jesus and Jesus is God?" I would have to ask who did Jesus claim to be? Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. To the Jews, the phrase "Son of God" was the same as being equal to God Himself. If you recall, they were about to take up stones to kill Jesus for who He claimed to be. Jesus didn't say "Oh no guys, before you stone me, I think there might be a misunderstanding here on who I am claiming to be."

The Textus Receptus uses more than one word for repent. In Judas' case, in Matthew 27:3 it says Judas repented himself. Now if I stop right there, it looks like since he repented, maybe he was saved. The Greek text uses the word Metamelomai.

Metanoeo means you are repenting of the very life and lifestyle, and the actions that you've committed, and Metamelomai means that you feel bad about the consequences. Again the word used for Judas was Metamelomai. I'm sure he felt sorry for what he did and the consequences of his actions. That is quite obvious to see as he threw the 30 pieces of silver at the priest's feet and said he didn't want it. Well, the priests couldn't put it back into the treasury because it was blood money. So they went outside the city and purchased a field with that money.

Judas was sorry for what he did (Metamelomai), and he ultimately ended up committing suicide. But he never repented (Metanoeo). He never surrendered his life to Christ. How does Acts 1:18 tell us that Judas had help with his death? Can you see how people might say Judas repented just like the bible tells us to do? Well, he didn't!

Jesse,

I completely agree with you. Understanding Biblical Hebrew and Greek is essential to gaining a deeper understanding of Scripture.

I have a couple of questions.

How does the word "huios" meaning "a son" and "kalos" meaning a "child" change your understanding of Scripture?

Does this understanding of the Greek words mean that God is Jesus and Jesus is God?

The word for "repented" means to "care afterwards, i.e. regret." (Strong's #3338).

If Judas did not repent as "we as believers understand repentance to mean," what does "regret" mean to you? If forgiveness is based upon repentance, why could he not be forgiven? Judas was not a non'believer in Jesus.

Judas did not commit the unpardonable sin, and he had help with his death ( Acts 1:18).

Please, i need a study bible and christian matterials, that can help me grow in faith. Thanks.

The Church is never in "heaven" per se at the wedding ceremony. Everything takes place on earth. The Lord will dwell in Jerusalem when he returns.

Acts 1:6-12 The angel said the Lord will return in like manner.(Notice the Lord was on the Mt. of Olives when he left earth)

Zechariah 14:1-5 (Read the entire chapter) Notice verse 5 His feet shall stand that day upon the Mt. of Olives which is before Jerusalem on the east. (The entire chapter of Zechariah 14 takes place while the Lord is dwelling on earth)

Zechariah 14:9-11 Lord shall be king over all the earth.

Zechariah 14:16-19 The Feast of Tabernacles will be held in Jerusalem each year where Jesus will be dwelling.

Zechariah 8:1-8 Lord returns to Zion and dwells in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called City of Truth. He will bring his people to Jerusalem to be his people and he their God. (This has not taken place yet; it's all future)

Isaiah 66:15-18;19-20;23-24 All flesh will come worship him from one new moon to another, one Sabbath to another. People who are in the lake of fire will not have their fire quenched. (this is all future)

Revelation 20:1-3 The Angel comes to bound Satan 1,000yrs. (This is the First resurrection) These saints will reign with Christ 1,000yrs.

I Thessalonins 3:13-17 The Lord coming with all his saints in the clouds. See Daniel 7

Daniel 7:1-3;13-14; (verse 13 remember the Lord said he's coming back in the clouds?)

Daniel 7:7-18;27 (verse 27 under the heaven is where Jesus' Kingdom will be)

Luke 1:26-27;30-33 (What did the angel tell Mary? Read verse 30-33.) That God promised DAvid someone would come through his lineage and sit on the throne of David. (Jesus will come to earth to sit on David's throne.)

Psalm 123:11-16 The Lord swore in truth to David he will sit upon David's throne. (Who are his children? the Saints).

David's throne will be in Jerusalem.

I will continue...

I strongly disagree with the comment Shaarei made on the subject of salvation looking at Acts 1;.

1. When the statement "Born of water" is made, it is in no way talking about salvation.

Being born of water is the evidence that humans come from "Flesh" and are born of the "Flesh".

Even Jesus was born of water because He was "Born of Flesh" while being in Mary's womb.

Nither was or is the "Holy Spirit Flesh" The Holy Spirit was sent by God to convict the Flesh (humans)

of their sins.

The only way a person can be "saved", or, be "Born again" is by the Holy Spirit of God, nothing more, nor, nothing less.

You can be baptized until the Bull frogs kroke but until you put your complete Faith and Trust in Jesus and Jesus only,

you cannot enter the kingdom of God's Heaven. (Read Romans 10:9-13) Nowhere is the spirit of the flesh nor of baptism mentioned in the plan of "Salvation"! Jesus and only Jesus, NO other WAY. I strongly suggest that she, Shaarei

go through the plan of salvation in a King James Bible and seek the truth in prayer. God Bless

I like this place

Hey Vadim, I am going to be praying for you, my Brother. It seems to me you are fighting a sexual demon. You must stay in plentiful prayer when going through this. Call on the name of Jesus! The Demons hear and tremble. If you have a church you go to get a pastor to pray over you and see if they can help you cast off the evil spirit's working in your life. Do your best to not entertain those spirits. Run to prayer when your fighting those sexual lusts and dreams. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I am an Apostolic Pentecostal. The baptism of the spirit can take you out from what you're dealing with Matthew 3:11 Acts 1:8 Acts 2:4. if you need anything to reach out to my church @ (616) 243-9719. God Bless you, Vadim. There is power in Jesus' name to rebuke the evil things working in your life.

The lights (the 2 greatest commandments) in the firmament of the Heaven (the expansion of the hearing of Heaven) are for signs, seasons, days and years.

For days and years..they will prolong our days upon this earth.

Deuteronomy 6:2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

For length of days and long life (literally, years of life) the doing of His commandments do add unto us.

Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

(2) For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

They shall multiply our daysas the days of Heaven upon the earth:

Deuteronomy 11:21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.22 For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

The doing of His commandments shall give us fruitful seasons

Leviticus 26:3 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;

(4) Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

They are for signs.you shall bind them for a sign upon your handremembering to do them always.

Deuteronomy 6:8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

In doing so, we shall shine as the stars turning many to His righteousness.

We shall be His many infallible signs to this dark world that Jesus is truly alive as we live.

Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Jesus spoke in John 3-8 about the water & Spirit & how it is needed to enter into the kingdom of God. After we read the gospels we then go to the book of Acts. We must obey Acts 2:38. It's for everyone. The Bible from Acts & on is for the people that came from the book of Acts; the baptized, Holy Spirit filled,saved people/churches. First obey Acts 2:38 before you can claim Romans 9:10 or any other verse I was water baptized yet I didn't receive the Holy Ghost until nearly 3 yrs later. You will speak in tongues as the sign of receiving the Holy Ghost. It's a heavenly language known into God. Also in Acts 1:8 says you will receive power once the Holy Ghost has come upon you. Its a wonderful journey. We must know our God & obey the gospel. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 kjv is clear on these words. Amen

Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression FELL, that he might go to his own place. (Jesus didn't fail but Judas fell)

John 15:6 If a man (abide not in me), he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (Jesus said this John 15)

2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; (The angels were in heaven but were cast out.)

John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

To receive Christ is to receive His Spirit. One cannot receive Christ without receiving the gift of the HolyGhost. If we do not receive Christ, we are none of His ( Romans 8:9). There are two different Spirits. This same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same Spirit that was poured out on Pentecost(Acts2:1-4). I have received of the same Spirit, the HolySpirit. I have witnessed countless others receive the Same Spirit that fell on the Day of Pentecost. Jesus spoke of another Comforter ( John 14:16-18; Acts 1:8) that was available to all who would receive it. He said repentance and remissions of sins would be preached in His name ( Luke 24:47) beginning at Jerusalem. This gospel has been preached for over two thousand years. I have witnessed people being healed from all forms of disease: cancer, aids, Lukemia, etc. I witnessed demons cast out of people who were possessed with them. I have witnessed the amazing power of the HolyGhost transform gang members into preachers; prostitutes into missionaries; drunkards into deacons; lost souls mixed up in Islam, New Age, Buddhism, and other false doctrines in born again believers. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead; is raising believers in the newness of life. I seen miracles wrought right before my eyes: I have seen the blind( literally blind, a man that has a glass eye and his other eye totally blind) see out of both, legally blind eyes. I have a man's leg grow to meet the length of his good leg. I have witnessed barren women give birth to not one, but three children. I have seen God raise people from Comas, from literally death( one woman was dead for 12 minutes resuscitate to life after I prayed for her in the name of our Risen Savior Jesus Christ. He said greater works would we do. The Bible is a living, God-breathed book; it is not like Shakespeare, Milton, Steinbeck, or Melville. It is the power of God. This is why I talk about receiving the HolyGhost-it is the life changing power of God.