Ascension 09

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Commentary

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Acts 1:1-11

Acts 1:1 In the first book, Theophilus – This is referring back to the prologue in Luke 1. Here in Luke 1:3, the author mentions Theophilus (lover of God) by name. I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning – Unlike the author of John who states that the entirety of Christ’s life is not written down, the author of Luke/Acts tells us that he is given us all the details. Acts 1:2 after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen – The author of Luke never explicitly lists the time when Jesus tells the apostles this command. Perhaps it refers to Luke 3:16 where John prophesies that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit or it might be that it just refers to Christ’s teachings in general. Acts 1:3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs – In Luke’s account this would include the appearance on the way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-33), to Peter (Luke 24:34), to all the disciples (Luke 24:36-53). Acts 1:4 he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem – The version in Luke 24:47 is that the mission of Jesus starts at Jerusalem and then moves out to the rest of the world. wait there for the promise of the Father – The Holy Spirit also fulfills the promises of Jesus in Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, and 8, Acts 2:4. The author stresses the “communicative rather than the ecstatic dimension of their speech.”1 This stands in opposition to the work of Cicero, Plutarch, and Apuleius who write that the ecstatic speech happens when a god directly possess an individual.2 It is the Spirit who gives them this power. Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit – This is a restatement of what John the Baptizer says in Luke 3:16. 1

Luke Timothy Johnson; Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., editor, The Acts of the Apostles, Volume 5, Sacra Pagina, (The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1992), p. 42. 2 Ibid.

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Acts 1:6 Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel? – We cannot tell if the apostles wanted their positions of authority in the restored Kingdom or not. Acts 1:7 It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. – The details about the work of the Father are not for us to know. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. – This is a prediction of the future by Jesus given in Luke 24:47. Acts 1:9 he was lifted up – An external force, we are to assume the Father, takes Jesus away. Acts 1:10 suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. – The messengers are to be understood by the reader as angels. Acts 1:11 will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven – This belief is codified in the creeds and the confessions of the church.

1.2

Psalm 47

Psalm 47:1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy. – With all of your existence, give the L ORD your adoration. Psalm 47:2 For the L ORD, the Most High, is awesome – While there might be other rulers, this one known as the L ORD is greater than all the others. Psalm 47:3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. – This appears to both be a remembrance of the Exodus and a hope for the future. Perhaps this verse is what ties the psalm to the first lesson. Psalm 47:4 He chose our heritage for us – The L ORD give us our future. Psalm 47:5 God has gone up with a shout – Rather than quietly slinking about in the cover of the night, the L ORD announces what He is doing. Psalm 47:6 Sing praises to God – The first line is reemphasized here.

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Psalm 47:7 For God is the king of all the earth – All of the world is under God’s rule. Psalm 47:8 God is king over the nations – Every country must bow down. Psalm 47:9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. – Even the leaders of the earth will come to the Temple.

1.3

Ephesians 1:15-23

Ephesians 1:15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints – The author of the letter, normally not believed to be Paul, describes the attributes of the community.3 Ephesians 1:16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. – This is fulfilling of the commandment to pray without ceasing (1 Samuel 12:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:13. Examples include Acts 12:5; Romans 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:3) Ephesians 1:17 may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him – The author asks that these gifts be bestowed on the congregation as they live the life of faith. Ephesians 1:18 with the eyes of your heart enlightened – The heart is not the seat of emotion but of thought. glorious inheritance among the saints – The benefits in this case seem to come later in life and perhaps only in death. Ephesians 1:19 working of his great power – This force that God uses in the world is mighty. Ephesians 1:20 he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places – Two examples of God’s work include the resurrection of Jesus and then His Ascension. Ephesians 1:21 and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come – The name of Jesus is to be held in the highest respect. 3

The undisputed letters of Paul: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon. Charles B. Cousar; Idem, editor, The Letters of Paul, (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1996), Interpreting Biblical Texts, p. 18.

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Ephesians 1:22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church – Christ is the ruler of all. Ephesians 1:23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all – The church exists in Christ’s body.

1.4

Luke 24:44-53

Luke 24:44 These are my words – Given the context of the account and what follows, this phrase should be read as “This is the meaning of my words.”4 while I was still with you – The awkwardness of this phrase indicates that the author is telling us that Christ’s risen presence is different from what it used to be.5 Luke 24:45 must be fulfilled – This once again shows that the promise/fulfillment theme found in Luke/Acts. Jesus specifically enumerates the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms. This alone should be enough reason for us not to change the Bible into a gender neutral account because when we do this, we cannot see how Jesus fulfilled the law, the prophets, and the psalms. Luke 24:46 Luke 24:47 Luke 24:48 You are witnesses – This is more than watching what is happening. It is participating in the events.6 Luke 24:49 I am sending upon you what my Father promised – The use of ἀποστέλλω recalls the fact the Jesus is sent (Luke 4:18, 43) (“apostled”) just like He sends His apostles (Luke 9:2, 48; 10:1, 3, 16; 11:49).7 Promise (ἐπαγγελία) is “roughly equivalent to the ”blessing” made by God to Abraham.”8 This however is not land, children, temple, or king but instead the gift of the Holy Spirit.9 4

Luke Timothy Johnson; Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., editor, The Gospel of Luke, Volume 3, Sacra Pagina, (The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1991), p. 402. 5 Ibid. 6 Ibid., p. 403. 7 Ibid. 8 Ibid. 9 Ibid.

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Luke 24:50 lifting up his hands, he blessed them – This is similar to Moses blessing the people to give them victory in battle (Exodus 17:11).10 Additionally, the priests bless the people (Leviticus 9:22-23; Numbers 6:23; Sirach 50:2021; Luke 2:34).11 Luke 24:51 carried up into heaven – The text has two different movements διΐστημι and ἀναφέρω. The first means moving away and the second, an imperfect passive, indicates carried up.12 The witness of the manuscripts support this reading.13 Luke 24:52 they worshipped him – The verb used here, προσκυνέω, literally means to place one’s face on the ground in order to pay homage. Luke 24:53 in the temple – The Gospel according to Luke begins (Luke 1:8) and ends in the temple.14

References Cousar, Charles B.; Idem, editor, The Letters of Paul, (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1996), Interpreting Biblical Texts. Johnson, Luke Timothy; Harrington, S.J., Daniel J., editor, The Gospel of Luke, Volume 3, Sacra Pagina, (The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1991). Johnson, Luke Timothy; Harrington, S.J., Daniel J., editor, The Acts of the Apostles, Volume 5, Sacra Pagina, (The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1992).

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Johnson, Luke, p. 403. Ibid., p. 404. 12 Ibid. 13 Ibid. 14 Ibid.

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