Acts 1:3

Shewed himself alive. See Additional Note on Matt. 28.

Passion. Rather, “suffering.”

Infallible proofs. Gr. tekmeria, “proofs” which carried with them certainty of conviction, in contrast to what was only probable or circumstantial. These “infallible proofs” were the postresurrection appearances of Christ, not the miracles the disciples had seen Jesus perform (ch. 2:22). They confirmed the crowning miracle of the resurrection. These proofs consisted of: (1) His eating and drinking with the disciples (Luke 24:41-43; John 21:4—13); (2) His real body, which He permitted them to touch (Matt. 28:5-9; John 20:27); (3) His repeated visible appearances to as many as 500 at once (Matt. 28:7, 10, 16, 17; Luke 24:36-48; John 20:19-29; 1 Cor. 15:6); (4) His instruction in the nature and doctrines of the kingdom (Luke 24:25-27, 44-47; John 20:17, 21-23; 21:15-17; Acts 1:8). The certainty of the resurrection gave dynamic power to the message of the apostles (Acts 2:32, 36, 37; 3:15; 4:10; 5:28, 30-33). It was the basis of Paul’s magnificent argument on the certainty of the bodily resurrection of the redeemed (see 1 Cor. 15:3-23).

Forty days. Literally, “through,” or “during,” 40 days. Jesus did not remain with them continuously, but manifested Himself repeatedly during the postresurrection period (see Additional Note on Matt. 28). There is no conflict between these 40 days and Luke’s much-abbreviated account in the Gospel (see Luke 1:24).

The things. Here, the expression includes (1) the correct interpretation of the Messianic prophecies (Luke 24:27, 44, 45); (2) the extension of the mission of the church to the whole world and the admission of the saved to the kingdom by baptism (Matt. 28:19); (3) the promise of supernatural power and divine protection (Mark 16:15-18); and (4) the promise of Christ’s own perpetual presence in His church (Matt. 28:20). See on Matt. 4:17; 5:3.