Go! Go! Go!

SLIDE – Introduction

Read and comment Acts 1:1-8

V1 – “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus,

of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,”

This is Dr. Luke writing to a good friend – Theophilus

Luke had written earlier about all that he had researched

from the Apostles and other Disciples

regarding all that Jesus had done in his miracles

and in his preaching.

Most theologians refer to the “former treatise” as the Gospel of Luke.

Luke is “Part 1”, Acts is “Part 2”.

V2 – “Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the

Holy Ghost had given commands unto the apostles whom

he had chosen:”

The Gospel of Luke (Part 1) covers Jesus’ miracles and preaching,

“until the day in which he was taken up”

After His death, burial and resurrection,

Jesus continued to meet with His Apostles (and some 500 others)

for 40 days.

At that time, He returned to Heaven

to be seated at the right hand of the Father

– making intercession for His children.

v3 – “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many

infallible proofs, being seen of them forty day, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

The resurrection of Jesus was the great fact,

the exclamation point,

on which the truth of the Gospel was to be established.

Many, beyond the 11 Apostles,

were witness that Jesus was indeed alive.

It wasn’t just God’s word – though that should be sufficient.

It wasn’t just interpreted prophecies – though that should be sufficient.

It wasn’t just Jesus word – though that should be sufficient.

Jesus showed Himself to His apostles, and many other disciples.

They touched Him, they spoke to Him, they ate with Him,

they learned from Him, and more.

This “Kingdom of God” that Jesus presented

(Person (1-4), Principle (5-7), Power (8-9)

and Preached (10) was to continue.

v4 – “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that

they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.”

The disciples were assembling or congregating.

After His arrest, trial, scourging, and execution,

the disciples were scattered.

Jesus assembled them together (with Himself).

Jesus had told them that the “comforter”

would come to them when Jesus left them.

Jesus is getting ready to leave (ascend),

so He commands them to WAIT (do nothing, stop, stay)

in Jerusalem, for the promise of the “comforter”.

v5 – “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with

the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”

The disciples are reminded that John

baptized with water unto repentance,

But the disciples (even all believers)

are baptized (and sealed) with the Holy Ghost).

They were told to sit tight, hang on, help is coming!

“not man day hence”

We know it as the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost first decended

v6 – “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying,

Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”

Jesus didn’t say this – BUT the short answer is NO!

Let’s remember that in the Jewish mindset,

the Messiah was expected to bring Israel

to the forefront of earthly existence – politically, financially,

militarily, with great power and glory for Israel.

And one day – that will take place.

BUT not now.

God has another plan to be completed before Israel is glorified.

v7 – “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.”

These “times” may be any large portion of time, an era,

a century, a millennium, etc.

Only God knows the great periods of time, in which he will bring

about great revelations, which His love, wisdom, justice,

and mercy has designed.

But he leaves himself at full liberty to choose those particular periods

of time or portions of times –

everything is in His control, authority and power.

Let me skip verse 8 for a moment.

Let’s look down at verse 9-12

“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was

taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they

looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (SLIDE) which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

The disciples, ever practical, ever leaning

on their training and teaching from childhood in the synagogue,

were asking about the KINGDOM.

They thought Jesus would have done that already, during His ministry,