Bible Study Series: Acts 1:12-14. The resurrected Jesus rocked their world, so they prayed in unity and devotedly. I wonder how our prayer life is.
Friendly greetings and a warm welcome to this Bible study! I write to learn. Let’s learn together and apply these truths to our lives.
I also translate to learn. The translations are mine, unless otherwise noted. If you would like to see many others, please click on this link:
At the link to the original post, next, I write more commentary and dig a little deeper into the Greek. I also offer a section titled Observations for Discipleship at the end. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided in the commentary section for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Acts 1:12-14
12 Then they did an about-face and changed course and left the hill called the Mount of Olives and went up to Jerusalem, about a Sabbath day’s walk away. 13 When they entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon the Zealot, and Judas (son of James). 14 They were all devoted to prayer in unity of mind and purpose, with women too, and including Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. (Acts 1:12-14)
Commentary
12:
A Sabbath’s day walk was 0.7 miles or 1,120 meters. Any longer, and the trip may be construed as work, apparently. Jesus must have led them to open country rather than close to Bethany (Peterson, comment on v. 11). Bruce (1988) informs us that the distance was calculated from combining Exod. 16:29, which says that no one should leave one’s house, and Num. 35:5, which says that the Levites’ pasturelands are defined by a radius of 2,000 cubits (500 yards, 1500 ft. 457.2 meters) from any one of the six cities of refuge (comment on v. 12). You can what you please with this historical tidbit.
“Jerusalem”: it must be the epicenter of the birth of the church that was about to take place in Acts 2. God chose the city for his temple, and Jesus died just outside of it. God was about to build a worldwide temple—his church—from that city. But his church would not remain there, but go throughout the earth.
“did (an) about-face”: The one verb fits the translation “to do an about-face and change course and turn back.” It can even mean “be converted.” The men (and women) were supposed to be there watching his ascension, but it was now time to move on. The angels shook them awake, so to speak. They had to change course, and more than that, they had to turn around 180 degrees. Yes, God has to knock us off our course sometimes and then do an about-face, as he calls us. Are you sensitive to it?
13:
Mark 6:3 (// Matt. 13:55) names Jesus’s brothers: James, Joses, Judas, and Simon. 1 Cor 9:5 suggests they were an authoritative group which the church looked up to as examples. However, Mark 6:3 and John 7:5 indicate that they did not believe their brother was the Messiah—it would be difficult for you too, if your brother made the same claim! But they too saw him resurrected, and they too were in the upper room when the Holy Spirit empowered and gifted with the others (Acts 2:1-4) and received their Spirit-inspired language (commonly and archaically called “tongues”).
The Meaning of the Names of the Twelve Apostles
Peter heads every list. It is good to see him taking the lead, even after he had betrayed Jesus. And it is good to remember that Jesus is willing to forgive and restore anyone who repents.
14:
It is reassuring to see men and women together in one place in total unity and persisting in and being attached and devoted to prayer.
“devoted”: The one Greek verb implies “persistently devoted and attached to” because kartereō means to “persevere” and “endure” (Heb. 11:27).
“prayer”: it is the very common noun that is used 36 times in the whole NT. Its verb appears 85 times in the NT,and in the pagan world it means a prayer, vow and even a mere wish. But Christians took over the word and directed it towards the living God. I like to believe that they leaned in toward him and prayed their requests fully expecting an answer. It is not a mere wish or heartfelt payer to a pagan deity.
Prayer flows out of confidence before God that he will answer because we no longer have an uncondemned heart (1 John 3:19-24; Rom. 8:1); and we know him so intimately that we find out from him what is his will is and then we pray according to it (1 John 5:14-15); we pray with our Spirit-inspired languages and our native languages (1 Cor. 14:15-16). But that’s what all believers should do; however, too often theory outruns practice. Pray! For a theology on how to respond when God does not answer our prayers, as when James was executed by Herod, see Acts 12:1-2 and the very last application section.
Prayer can be (1) for oneself, like overcoming sins and vices in your heart and mind or receiving wisdom from above (James 3:17) and not being double-minded about receiving it (Jas. 1:5-8), but (2) it is also for the needs of the community. It was coming under attack, so prayers were offered. Praying for boldness to reach out and spread the word is wonderful. We should do it more often. (3) Further, prayer brings down the manifest presence of God. God is omnipresent (everywhere) of course, but his presence can make itself felt and experienced. God showed up and shook the place where they were gathered.
Prayer can be visualized like a pebble in a pond, and the ripples go outward. (1) It starts with oneself and one’s needs; (2) then it goes outward to one’s own family and (3) to the Christian community (your home church). (4) It goes out to evangelism and the needs of the world around the community, (5) and finally to parts around the globe. But this prayer here in Acts varies the order, which you may do, if you like. Prayer is ultimately and most deeply a conversation with God.
What Is Biblical Intercession?
“in unity of mind and purpose”: The application of the Greek adverb is clear. God wants us persistently devoted and attached to prayer in unity, in a group. He wants us together. There should be no Lone Rangers, with just Tonto. When we are united in our minds and spirits, great things will happen, as great as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the next chapter. We are in this together (Matt. 18:19-20; Ps. 133:1).
“The time before Pentecost was a time for waiting, a time spent in prayer undoubtedly for the promised Spirit and for the power to witness. There is no effective witness without the Spirit, and the way to spiritual empowerment is to wait in prayer” (Polhill, comment on v. 14).
Women were devoted to Jesus, and some were so wealthy that they could support him with their money (Luke 8:2-3; 23:49; 23:55-24:10). Rabbis, itinerant or otherwise, usually did not associate with women followers. Jesus was unusual in that regard. They followed him all the way to the cross and his burial and resurrection (Luke 23:55-24:10). They were the first witnesses of his resurrection and told the men, slow on the uptake, about it. In my view, women should be allowed as much ministry in the church as possible. “Be allowed”? No, they should just step up and lead.
“brothers”: The Greek says “brothers,” but the term is often generic, as it seems to be here, and Jesus did have sisters (Matt. 13:56; Mark 6:3). So if you want to translate it as “brothers and sisters” then go with it. I did not because his sisters may have remained in Galilee with their families.
Grow App for Acts 1:12-14
1. The earliest Christian community devoted themselves to prayer and being in unity of mind and purpose. How do you apply this prayer devotion and unity in your own life. Your family? Your small group?
RELATED
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts
Book of Acts and Paul’s Epistles: Match Made in Heaven?
SOURCES
For the bibliography, please click on this link and scroll down to the very bottom:
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 