Pastor John Wright

I'm a bit late with some comments for our Bible Studies. I apologize, but had a wonderful time with Kathy celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary yesterday. It was very good to get away and remember the past and look forward to the future together without computers, telephones, teaching and church responsibilities to handle.

This week we continue reading Acts 1. Verses 12-26 continue the story after the ascension of Jesus -- the continuation of the mission of Jesus in light of Jesus' absence before the giving of the Holy Spirit. It is this absence of Jesus and the Spirit that makes this passage so interesting. Maybe this angle can help us find ourselves in the story.

Of course, the "absence" of Jesus and the Spirit within the narrative comes from the perspective of the narrator and the character -- not in reality. In reality, God is never absent from God's creation -- or creation would not be!! Yet to human perception in this passage, God is not present in Christ or the Spirit. God's revelation in the resurrection of Jesus and the Spirit is beyond the ability of human perception here. The disciples can only look to the past and to the future. Perhaps such an experience is not forward to the group as you gather. Can you think of times when one could look to the past of the resurrection of Jesus and future to the giving of the Spirit for sustenance? What was the response of the person and/or group? What sort of practices became determinative of this time?

We can divide the passage again into two different units: vv. 12-14 and vv. 15-26.

(1) Vv. 12-14: Notice that they return to the "upper room." Read Luke 22:7-23. Why not change rooms? Why also pull into their presence there the women and family of Jesus? In the absence of Jesus, what is the significance of the location? Finally, what did they do there? Why is it significant that they do this in "one accord"? What is the lesson for the "between times" that we can live?

(2) Vv. 15-26. This section can be divided into three submovements: vv. 13-17; vv. 18-20; vv. 21-26. The Judas story is enclosed within and interrupts the story of chosing a disciple to replace him. First, why is it important to replace Judas in this time of absence? Second, what are the "qualifications" for the replacement? What do these qualifications tell you about the significance of adding another member to replace Judas? Third, how do they decide who will join the eleven to make the twelve? What is significant about this two stepped system? Finally, this seems like a strange activity in the midst of Jesus' and the Spirit's "absence". Read in light of this "absence", what does this tell you about their reponse to this absence? Why does it follow vv. 12-14 rather than proceed?

Thanks again for your understanding about the lateness of this. I hope that it is useful. Any comments or discussion are welcome to take place here as well!