Luke, the physician-historian, wrote Luke's Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles to tell the truth about Jesus. Both documents were addressed to Theophilus who was probably a high ranking Roman official (indicated by his title 'Most Excellent' in Luke 1:3). He already believed in Jesus but wanted more evidence so that he could be certain and confidently share with others (Luke 1:4).
Waiting is often difficult, especially if we think we know what should be done and when. The disciples were excited and relieved that Jesus was alive again; surely He would now overthrow His enemies and become the King of Israel. They had small ambitions, to be senior officials in Jesus' government in Jerusalem. But Jesus knew God's master-plan; it was much bigger, would be achieved very differently and to a different timetable (Mathew 24:4-14).
The last words Jesus said before physically lifting off from planet earth were, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8). That statement sets the theme for the whole of Acts. The book describes how the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles and other believers to spread the message that Jesus is alive and able to save all who trust in Him (Acts 4:8-12).
Jesus had told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:4-5). So after He had ascended into heaven they obeyed. Walking the kilometre from the Mount of Olives they reached the upper room, inside the city, where they were staying. All the details sound like eye witness narratives, and they are. Luke is also keen to document the individuals present. If anybody doubted, they could ask those who were present.
This is a somewhat gruesome narrative. Peter assumes the leadership role, as he had often done before; this time to deal with the problem that the twelve apostles had become eleven after the death of Judas. The details are in the text and do not need further elaboration.
Peter was concerned that the absence of Judas Iscariot, who died after betraying Jesus, would frustrate Jesus' plans. Gathering about 120 believers, including his fellow apostles, Peter invited them to choose a replacement. However this was not just a matter of voting for friends; it was treated as a very serious matter. The man must have known Jesus and have been a part of His 'team' all the time from the time John baptised Him until His ascension. The chosen man must also have personally encountered Jesus after the resurrection.
Usually a title summarises the narrative. However, 'The Holy Spirit Came' needs some explanation. It is true that the Holy Spirit was given to the apostles and other believers on the first Pentecost after the Ascension. That is what Jesus had promised (John 14:15-18), and what Joel had prophesied (Joel 2:28-32). However the Spirit is God and has always been in existence, with the Father and Son.
Pentecost was one of the three great Jewish pilgrim feasts. All able bodied men were expected to come to Jerusalem, from wherever they lived, for the festival. The word 'Pentecost' is of Greek and Latin origin – used by the church as it was the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday (1 Corinthians 16:8). But the Jewish celebration was 'Shavuot' the feast of Weeks (being seven full weeks from Passover) or Harvest of First Fruits.
This list of ethnic groups does not initially make for riveting reading, until you realise what God was doing. Previously His Word was seen as being primarily for the Jews in the Promised Land. Then it was also for Jewish minorities in, what are now, the countries in Europe, Turkey, the Middle East, Egypt and the North African coast. Thousands of these would believe in Jesus (Acts 2:41) and become gospel missionaries when they returned to their homes, telling both Jews and Gentiles about Jesus.
All the apostles faced the crowd who had gathered to see what the commotion was all about (Acts 2:1-4). The Holy Spirit had been given and now the life of Jesus, including His ability to speak right into people's hearts, had been multiplied. All the apostles were able to speak foreign languages to tell out the wonderful things God had done (Acts 2:8-11).
