From Acts 1-3
Jesus is about to ascend into heaven. He gives his disciples some parting instructions. They are to be his witnesses and share the good news from Jerusalem to the ends of the world. But first they have to wait. To wait for the promised Spirit.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
The book of Acts begins where the gospel according to Luke left off. The books have same author and form a single narrative. The first part concerns Jesus, his words and deeds (the gospel), and the second the acts of His Apostles.
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1.1-5)
‘All that Jesus began to do and teach‘. The gospel according to Luke is all about Jesus. What he did and taught. These are clearly significant and important to the author.
Is what Jesus did and taught important to you?
‘He appeared to them‘. Jesus appearances proved he had risen from the dead. After Jesus rose and appeared to his disciples he gave them specific instructions (Lk 24.44-49; cf. Mt 28.18-20; Jn 20.21-23; 21.15-19; Perhaps Mk 16.15-18). But the disciples were not ready to go. They had to wait for something.
‘Wait for the promise’, ‘the Holy Spirit‘. Luke refers to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was promised to God’s people (Eze 36.26-27; Joel 2.28-29; Mt 3.11; Gal 3.14).
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1.6-8)
‘Restore the kingdom to Israel?‘ The disciples are still thinking about God’s promises to restore Israel. To restore Israel’s rule over the world and all its nations. Their understanding of God’s kingdom was still bound by this world and how they expected things to be (cf. Lk 1.54,68; 2.25; 24.21).
God has planned much more than restoring Israel. He will restore all creation.
‘Not for you to know‘. Jesus says knowing when these thing will happen is on a need to know basis. Only the Father knows. He assures them the time is fixed. Its been a long time since then, but it will happen.
‘You will receive power’, ‘My witnesses’. In the mean time the disciples are given a task and power to do it. They will receive power through being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He will given them the bold words to speak about Jesus. They will be his witnesses. Giving testimony to what Jesus did and said.
‘Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the end of the earth‘. Their mission will move out from Jerusalem to Rome of all places. Which was thought to be the end of the earth.
Christian mission is always starting from Jesus and moving outward. It has centrifugal force.
9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1.9-11)
‘Two men in white robes‘, ‘Why do you stand looking?‘. The two men are angels. Jesus has gone up to heaven and the disciples are still standing around looking for him. Perhaps they wonder if he will come back.
‘Will come in the same way as you saw him go‘. The angels assure them Jesus will come back.
He has ascended with the clouds. He will come again with the clouds.
The angels hint at Daniels prophecy which Jesus said he would fulfill (Dan 7.13; Mt 26.64; Mk 14.62; Rev 1.7).
About Mission
Our passage today tells us that gospel ministry should not be done without the empowerment of the Spirit. We can get caught up in life’s problems, perhaps even sin and still refuse to spend time seeking God.
What things are you tempted to rely upon in ministry instead of the Holy Spirit? Meticulous planning? Technology? Personality and Charisma?
No. None of these will prove effective. Christian ministry is ministry in the Spirit. Without the Spirit’s power, everything we do will be a waste of time.
We should be seeking the Lord and asking him to be filled with His Spirit. Sometimes its better to wait.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2016. All Rights Reserved.
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