Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 1, verses 1-11
1 Christ preparing his apostles to the beholding of his ascension, gathereth them together into the mount Olivet, commandeth to expect in Jerusalem the sending-down of the holy Ghost, promiseth after few days to send it, by virtue whereof they should be witnesses unto hem even to the utmost parts of the earth, 9 After his ascension they are warned by two angels to depart, and to set their minds upon his second comingMatthew, Chapter 28, verses 16-20
16 Christ appeareth to his disciples, 19 and sendeth them to baptize and teach all nations28
28:16 To the mountain where Jesus had appointed them - This was probably Mount Tabor, where, (it is commonly supposed,) he had been before transfigured. It seems to have been here also, that he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once.
28:18 All power is given to me - Even as man. As God, he had all power from eternity.
28:19 Disciple all nations - Make them my disciples. This includes the whole design of Christ's commission. Baptizing and teaching are the two great branches of that general design. And these were to be determined by the circumstances of things; which made it necessary in baptizing adult Jews or heathens, to teach them before they were baptized; in discipling their children, to baptize them before they were taught; as the Jewish children in all ages were first circumcised, and after taught to do all God had commanded them. Mar 16:15.
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1:1 The former treatise - In that important season which reached from the resurrection of Christ to his ascension, the former treatise ends, and this begins: this describing the Acts of the Holy Ghost, (by the apostles,) as that does the acts of Jesus Christ. Of all things - In a summary manner: which Jesus began to do - until the day - That is, of all things which Jesus did from the beginning till that day.
1:2 After having given commandment - In the Act 1:3 St. Luke expresses in general terms what Christsaid to his apostles during those forty days. But in the Act 1:4 and following verses he declares what he said on the day of his ascension. He had brought his former account down tothat day; and from that day begins the Acts of the Apostles.
1:3 Being seen by them forty days - That is, many times during that space. And speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God - Which was the sum of all his discourses with them before his passion also.
1:4 Wait for the promise of the Father, which ye have heard from me - When he was with them a little before, as it is recorded, Luk 24:49.
1:5 Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost - And so are all true believers to the end of the world. But the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost also are here promised.
1:6 Dost thou at this time - At the time thou now speakest of?not many days hence? restore the kingdom to Israel? - They still seemed to dream of an outward, temporal kingdom, in which the Jews should have dominion over all nations. It seems they came in a body, having before concerted the design, to ask when this kingdom would come.
1:7 The times or the seasons - Times, in the language of the Scriptures, denote a longer; seasons, a shorter space. Which the Father hath put in his own power - To be revealed when and to whom it pleaseth him.
1:8 But ye shall receive power - and shall be witnesses to me - That is, ye shall be empowered to witness my Gospel, both by your preaching and suffering.