Acts 1: 13 - 26
The Waiting of the Holy Spirit
After the Ascension of Jesus, the angels told them that the same Jesus will come again in like manner.
The absence of Jesus and the span of the Holy Spirit’s coming is for the disciples…
a test of character.
The span is 10 days.
Let’s look at the characteristics of the apostles as they are waiting for the Promise.
The COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
I. THEY WERE OBEYING. v. 12
They responded to the Lord’s specific command in verse 4.
Obedience can be hard to be displayed when a loved one is taken away.
II. THEY WERE PRAYING. vv. 13 - 14
They are in the upper room. Their first meeting place.
This core of disciples, along with others, engaged in united, persistent prayer.
They had not been commanded to pray, only to wait.
But Jesus' own example at his baptism and his teachings, especially regarding how the Spirit would come in response to prayer, probably provided enough guidance (Lk 3:21; 11:13; 18:1, 8).
They devoted themselves to set times of daily corporate prayer until God answered from heaven.
Praying, constant praying, continuous praying, persistent praying marks the believers true identity as God’s child.
III. THEY WERE MEN OF THE WORD. vv. 15 – 26
A. Peter stood among them and quoted the Scriptures concerning Judas. Psalm 41: 9; 69: 25; 109: 8
B. Peter stood among them and gave them the qualifications of Judas’ replacement. vv. 21 – 23
The apostle must be one who had accompanied Jesus' disciples from the time of John the Baptist's ministry until Christ's ascension, one who had been a witness to the resurrection and had seen the risen Lord.
IV. THEY WERE SUBMISSIVE TO GOD’S SOVEREIGN WILL. vv. 24 – 26
They submitted to God’s sovereign will by:
1. Listing the spiritual qualifications.
2. Praying for God’s guidance.
3. Casting lots.
In closing…
In the absence of Jesus and the span of the Holy Spirit’s coming.
The disciples were put to a test
…a test of character.
