Indispensable Preparation (Acts 1:1-2)
Before presenting more history to Theophilus (meaning: dear to God) Luke speaks summarily about his previous writings. He tells his recipient that the former account is to be regarded as a comprehensive (πάντων) record of Jesus' works and words (Acts 1:1). Modern readers have come to know that prior work as The Gospel According to Luke. That record stops at the point when Jesus, having given his disciples a work for insight and a word of instruction, was taken up into heaven (Luke 24:51):
* A Work for Insight: His Teaching and His Touch (Luke 24:44-48) - It is imperative that these men, soon to become the leadership for His church, understand the faith they will promote. How else will they be able to teach others (Matthew 28 :18-20)? And so Jesus teaches onthe history of His ministry, the violence that had recently transpired, and now His own resurrection from the dead. The things that have happened are all to be seen as fulfilling prophecies presented in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms (Luke 24:27, 44). But more than His teaching is needed. If the truth of God is to be really received there must be a softening of hard hearts, an opening of blind eyes, and a sharpening of dull minds. And so, beyond expounding upon the Scriptures the men are changed (Luke 24:45). Jesus gave them a new aptitude for understanding Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:14-15).
Opened he their mind (διηνοιξεν αὐτων τον νουν [diēnoixen autōn ton noun]). The same verb as that in verses 31 and 32 about the eyes and the Scriptures. Jesus had all these years been trying to open their minds that they might understand the Scriptures about the Messiah and now at last he makes one more effort in the light of the Cross and the Resurrection. They can now see better the will and way of God, but they will still need the power of the Holy Spirit before they will fully know the mind of Christ.
Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Lk 24:45). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.
* A Word of Instruction: Tarry (Luke 24:49-53; Acts 1:2) - The Promise of His Father was none other than the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). Lest the disciples begin to believe they could start reaching the world based on strong resolve (Matthew 26:30-35; Luke 24:46-48) Jesus makes it clear that they do not yet have the power to do the job. Thus He commands them to wait in the city of Jerusalem until the power was received - the Person of the Holy Spirit. He would enlighten the disciples, enabled people to receive their message, and empower them for the work of being witnesses. The command to preach in His name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem, could not begin until they had been equipped like John the Baptist (Luke 1:15) and Jesus Himself (Luke 3:21-22; 4:16-19).
Witnesses are appointed by God and anointed for the work. Apart from both His election and enabling they cannot be effective.
Infallible Proof Examples (Acts 1:3)
What were the infallible proofs of Jesus' resurrection. There were many (John 20:30; 21:25). What follows is a sampling of what is recorded in the gospels and one provided by a former enemy of Jesus.
* Displaying Scars from His Crucifixion (John 20:19-29) -
* Displaying Signs from their Calling (John 21:1-23; Luke 5:1-8)
* Disclosure to their Larger Company (1 Corinthians 15:5-7)
