“Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:”
My Notes
What Does Acts 1:2 Mean?
Luke begins the book of Acts by connecting it directly to his Gospel — this is volume two of the same story. Jesus' earthly ministry has ended, but not before He gave "commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen" through the Holy Spirit.
The phrase "through the Holy Ghost" is significant. Even Jesus' post-resurrection instructions were Spirit-empowered. The same Spirit who will be poured out at Pentecost was already active in Jesus' final teachings. There's a continuity here: the Spirit who guided Jesus' ministry will now guide the church's mission.
"Whom he had chosen" emphasizes that the apostles weren't volunteers or self-appointed. They were selected. This matters because the book that follows — Acts — will show these chosen, Spirit-instructed ordinary people turning the world upside down. The foundation of the church is not human initiative but divine selection and empowerment.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does it change things to think of yourself as chosen rather than as a volunteer in God's work?
- 2.Where in your life have you been trying to generate power or direction on your own rather than receiving it from the Spirit?
- 3.What does it look like practically to rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance rather than your own strategy?
- 4.Does the idea of being 'selected' for a purpose comfort you or make you nervous — and why?
Devotional
The book of Acts opens with an ending — Jesus being taken up — and a beginning — the church about to be born. And right at the hinge point, Luke reminds us of something crucial: this was never a human project.
The apostles didn't dream up the mission. They were chosen, instructed, and empowered. Every single element of what they were about to do had been initiated by someone else. Their job was to receive and respond.
If you're in a place where you feel the weight of responsibility for your faith, your ministry, or your calling — this is a good verse to sit with. You weren't the one who started this. You were chosen, and the same Spirit who instructed the apostles is available to instruct you.
The most effective people in God's story have always been the ones who understood that the power didn't originate with them. They were vessels, not sources. And that's not a limitation — it's the most liberating thing you can realize about your calling.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Until the day in which he was taken up,.... That is, into heaven. The historian suggests, that his former treatise took…
Until the day - The 40th day after the resurrection, Act 1:3. See Luk 24:51. In which he was taken up - In which he…
After that he, through the Holy Ghost, etc. - This clause has been variously translated: the simple meaning seems to be…
In these verses, I. Theophilus is put in mind, and we in him, of St. Luke's gospel, which it will be of use for us to…
the day in which he was taken up The Gospel of St Luke closes with a very brief notice of the Ascension: of which event…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture