Running head: BIBLE ACTS 364 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY 1
Bible Acts 364 Liberty University
Name
Institution Affiliation
Course
Date
BIBLE ACTS 364 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY 2
Bible Acts 364 Liberty University
1. Do Acts teach that there will be a literal future kingdom for Israel? Use the Bible, Ger,
and one additional scholarly source to research this issue and present your position.
In Acts 1:6-8, the bible says, “Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are
you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ and Jesus answered 'It is not for you to
know the times or dates the Father has set by his authority. But you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.’”
1
In chapter 7, John and David reinforce Jesus's sentiments by
insinuating that the matter of time is solely within the realm of God only for his motives and
power
2
. Even though Jesus is the Son of God, he refuted knowing the date or day as it was only
his Father who knew the hour and the day. Act further highlights that the Kingdom of God is not
linked in any way to the development of the Kingdom of Israel that will control earth with
autocracy, as was the case of the Roman Empire
3
. I feel that the establishment of the Kingdom of
God was in the context of establishing the Kingdom of Israel and was to be done in a manner that
the disciples were not expecting.
1
The Bible. New International Version.
2
John B. Phill and David S. Dockery. The New American Commentary Acts, Volume 26: An Exegetical and
Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture. B & H Publishing Group. 2013. P. 85.
3
David E. Garland. Teach the Text Commentary Series: Act. Baker Books. 2017. P. 35.
BIBLE ACTS 364 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY 3
2. Did the early believers make a mistake in recognizing Matthias as the 12th Apostle? Use
the Bible, Ger, and one additional scholarly source to research this issue and present your
position.
According to Acts 1:16-20, the bible says, “'Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be
fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as
a guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our numbers and shared in our ministry.” Peter
reinterred that the book of psalms said, “May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in
it,” and further continues to say that “May another person take his place of leadership.”
4
Mathias
is barely talked about in this context, and the word Mathias refers to the "gift of God." 1 Chr 26:13
states that the person whose stone was the first to drop was the one selected
5
. McBirnie suggests
that Scripture is non-committal on the issue signifying that the other eleven disciples were in a
hurry to choosing Mathias as the 12th disciple. In my opinion, I feel the eleven disciples knew they
had to choose Mathias as the 12th disciples to replace Judas; therefore, the early believers were not
wrong in recognizing Mathias as the 12th disciple. Acts of the Apostles 1:21–26 highlight that the
disciples chose Mathias to substitute Judas, who had betrayed Jesus.
4
The Bible.
5
McBirnie, William Steuart. Search for the Twelve Apostles. Tyndale House Publishers. 1973. P. 60.
BIBLE ACTS 364 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY 4
Bibliography.
Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture. B & H Publishing Group. 2013. P. 85.
David E. Garland. Teach the Text Commentary Series: Act. Baker Books. 2017. P. 35.
John B. Phill and David S. Dockery. The New American Commentary Acts, Volume 26: An
The Bible. New International Version.
