Acts 1

“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,” Naming Jesus and Theophilus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles…” Naming Ghost and Holy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and…” The number forty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” The line’s distinctive content terms include beheld, cloud, received. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.” Naming Jerusalem and Olivet keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew…” Naming James and Alphaeus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an…” The number hundred makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and…” The line’s distinctive content terms include asunder, bowels, burst. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue…” Naming Aceldama and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to…” Naming Judas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Naming Matthias keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.