After the divine ascension of the Christ, His apostles obeyed Jesus’ last command to them and returned to Jerusalem from Mount Olivet.
“12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.” (Acts 1:12)
Luke tells us the apostles traveled less than 2 miles, which by Jewish custom, would be referred to as the distance one could travel by foot on the Sabbath, the equivalent of 1 mile or so.
In Jerusalem, the apostles gathered with other believers to share the good news about the resurrection of the Christ. In total, there were approximately 120 people in Jerusalem with the apostles.
“13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.” (Acts 1:13)
Luke names the apostles, from the rock of the church, Simon Peter, son of Jonas, a fisherman from Bethsaida and Capernaum. Peter’s Greek name was Simon, his Aramaic name was Cephas which both mean “rock.”
James, the fisherman also from Bethsaida and Capernaum was the son of Zebedee and Salome and the brother of John, who was also a fisherman.
Andrew was another fisherman from the same region, the brother of Peter and a son of Jonas. Before the Lord, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist.
Philip was also a fisherman from Bethsaida, and one of the first disciples to be called upon to follow Jesus. Thomas, from whom little is known, lived in Galilee. He would be the one chosen by Christ to touch and testify the wounds on the flesh of the risen Lord.
Bartholomew was a noble believer from Galilee, a scholar in the law and the prophets. Matthew, or Levi, the son of Alphaeus, was a tax collector from Capernaum.
James, the “lesser” or younger, was from Galilee, the son of Mary and Alphaeus. He was the brother of the apostle Jude.
Simon the Zealot was a Canaanite from Galilee. Jude, Thaddeus, the brother of Yeshua, Jesus, was also the brother of James the lesser and the son of Mary and Alpheus.
“14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (Acts 1:14)
Luke shares how the apostles, with Mary and other women who served Jesus’ ministry, as well as the brothers of our Lord. These prayed in reverence as each one, by faith awaited the fulfillment of the prophecy spoken by the Lord, that their baptism in the spirit would soon come in Jerusalem. Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Luke,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com
