Week 3: Acts 1:1-16:5
February 9, 2021
Welcome to Week 3 of Encounter!
This week we begin Luke's sequel to his gospel, the book we know as Acts. Its longer, more official title is Acts of the Apostles. I've often wondered if it should be called Acts of the Holy Spirit, since in a lot of ways, the Holy Spirit is the main character, working through people like Peter, John, Stephen, Paul, Barnabas, John Mark, Luke, and so many others. This week, we'll cover the first 15 chapters and begin chapter 16. Next week we'll finish Acts and move into the letters of Paul.
As you read, keep in mind our reading questions. We will use these every week as general questions to keep in mind as we read and that will help to formulate our reflections, observations, and questions.
Our guiding questions are these:
- What stood out to you in the reading?
- Was there anything confusing or troubling?
- Did anything make you think differently about God?
- How might what you read change the way you live?
Please post a comment below with some of your questions, comments, and reflections from this week's reading.
In Acts 1:18, it says that Judas bought the burial field himself and died there, but in other accounts it says he hanged himself. I don't suppose it matters how he died accept for the difference in the state of his soul. Was he repentant or did he just have an accident?
ReplyDeleteJudas' situation is rather interesting. Some who are sympathetic to Judas suggest that Judas, a zealot (one who wanted Rome to be overthrown), betrayed Jesus in order to force him into a military-type conflict with the Romans. By "forcing Jesus' hand," so to speak, Jesus would do what the Messiah was "supposed" to do. Once he realized what he had done, and that Jesus was not the type of Messiah Judas expected (and didn't Jesus say this multiple times??), he was overcome with guilt and took his own life. Judas was fond of money, as we learn from other gospel accounts, where it says that he helped himself to the money bag.
DeleteI think Judas realized that what he had done was wrong and, among his misunderstandings about Jesus, had no concept of grace and forgiveness so he took his own life. Was he repentant? It's hard to say. If knowing that what he did was wrong was a step toward repentance, then possibly.
The difference in accounts is interesting. Luke makes it seem like an accident while Matthew says that Judas threw the money in the temple and hanged himself. There's a way for those two accounts to come together. It's possible that his fall was the result of his hanging himself. But as you say, it doesn't really matter how he died.
Thank you.
DeleteMy nugget is that I have always liked Luke's account of the passion best.
I also love Paul's insight into things. Since he wasn't one of the twelve, much of his knowledge comes directly from God.
What has your reading experience been like so far? Are you keeping up? Are you able to pause and reflect? What's one "nugget" that you've been able to take from this so far?
ReplyDeleteMy bible says Judas was paid money for his wrong doing and he bought a field . But he fell on his head , his body broke open and all his intestines poured out.
ReplyDeleteHI Darla, see my response to Carlene above re: Judas.
DeleteIn chapter 2 verses 3 & 4. I liked where the apostles were filled with The Holy Spirit and they began to speak different languages and there were people there from every country in the world but everyone heard what the apostles were saying in their own language. Amazing
ReplyDeleteAmen! I like to think that that still goes on today as people hear the gospel in their own language.
DeleteI am enjoying the bible study but am always way behind. But plugging along.
ReplyDeleteKeep plugging along! The important part is that you're reading. And the website and this blog page always shows everything from the past so you can go back if you need to.
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