Acts 1:9 continues
9. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
I've heard it said that at this time, Peter was probably trying to explain to the disciples how he managed that feat. Whether that's true or not we may never know, but judging by his temperment and gift of gab, would you really be suprised?
10. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
I like this phrase… ''looked stedfastly''… I have a hunch they meant… STARED WITH AN OPEN MOUTH! (Seriously, what would you do?)
11. Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
12. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
13. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Luke gave the roll call and then at the very last dropped this bombshell...Mary the Mother of Jesus and with his brethern? Brothers? Mary had more kids? Jesus had Brothers? Luke wanted them to know that Mary was there. He did not want any confusion or attempts to deify Mary.
Yes she was a good lady, she was a chosen vessel, but she was still a woman and did NOT rise into heaven with Jesus, she did not become a Goddess or a Go between, she was a follower just like his BROTHERS!
Acts 1: 15. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
You see there were many who followed Jesus, but there were 12 main disciples, chosen and trained to be future leaders. Now the future had arrived and they had to lead.
Iterestingly enough, shy reserved quiet Peter stood up.
Remember in Matt 16: 15. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven
Peter is given the keys or the method to open the kingdom of heaven.
Lets also remember that in John 3, Jesus said that we must be born of the water and the spirit or we cannot see the kingdom.
Peter has the keys or the method, it appears he was picked to be the spokes person.
