Daily Archives: July 3, 2012

Many churches study the book of Acts in various classes. I thought I might begin a series of brief blogs using at least one photo for each chapter in Acts. We will not run these photos daily, but one or two a week. The photos normally will be 800 pixels wide — wide enough for use in PowerPoint presentations. It will be best to leave some space around them. This will allow room for an identifying caption. There is no need to write for permission to use these photos for educational, non-commercial, purposes. I would appreciate a comment or note telling me how you used the material.

The first chapter of Acts includes:

• The promise to the 11 apostles that they would be baptized with (in) the Holy Spirit (1:4-5; Cf. John 14-16).
• Jesus’ restatement of the Great Commission (1:8).
• The ascension of Jesus from the Mount called Olivet (1:9-12). In the Gospel, Luke says the ascension took place at Bethany (Luke 24:50). Bethany is on the eastern slope of the mountain.

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. (Acts 1:12 ESV)

The photo shows the western slope of the Mount called Olivet from the steps on the southern end of the Temple enclosure (precinct) built by Herod the Great.

The Mount called Olivet from the Temple Mount. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Other events in Acts 1 include:

• The meeting of the 11 apostles in the upper room (1:13).
• The record of the death of Judas (1:16-20).
• The selection of Matthias to replace Judas (1:20-26).