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,
but, instead, He was crucified and buried.
To their shock – on the third day,
Jesus arose from the dead.
Hey, we got another chance.
Finally, would the Messiah, finally, restore the KINGDOM to Israel?!
No, Not yet. They still didn’t understand.
And sometimes, I wonder. Do we understand? Really understand?
They were watching Jesus ascend into Heaven.
Watching – with a fixed gaze.
Probably with their Jaw on the ground – again, in shock.
In my sanctified imagination, I see Jesus return to Heaven,
having finished the work God, the Father had given God, the Son to do.
Now seated at the right hand of the Father –
making intercession for you and me.
I see, in my imagination, an angel approach Jesus.
“Wow, that was really something! Simply amazing!
Now, do we gather the armies of Heaven together
and finish those human creatures, once and for all?”
“No,” says Jesus.
“Well, OK. Are you going back, yet again?”
“No,” says Jesus, not now, but one day.”
“Humph” says the angel. “So now what?”
Jesus says, “See those 11 disciples down there with their jaw on the ground?”
“Yes, what about those ignorant, weak, failures?”
“That’s it! I’ll empower them by the Holy Ghost in a few days.
and as they submit and follow the Holy Ghost, My work will continue.”
The angel says, “Ha, Ha. Good one, Jesus. Come on, really – what’s next.”
Jesus says, “Just watch…..!”
Now let’s go to verse 8
v8 - “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come
upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto
the uttermost part of the earth.”
You cannot begin the work of the KINGDOM,
until the Holy Ghost has come to you.
You don’t have the power, the wisdom, the authority, or anything.
ONLY when we are submissive, and the Holy Ghost is in charge.
And when the Holy Ghost IS in charge, and we ARE submissive:
We shall be witnesses (martyrs).
Where?
Jerusalem
Judaea
Samaria
Uttermost part of the earth!
History of the church.
The Holy Ghost came down to the disciples on the day of Pentecost.
They began witnessing (martyring)
The growth of the church (ekklasia-called out assembly) exploded.
In fact, Acts 17:1-
“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia,
they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.”
The impact of a Holy Ghost lead church made an impact!
In fact, 300 years later – Rome is declared to be a Christian nation.
Christianity is the religion of Rome and Rome rules the world!`
What an impact the Holy Ghost led church made!
Immediately, the church quit functioning as the Church of God,
but quickly became a political, organized, religion –
and put the entire civilized world into the DARK AGES.
We can’t be Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ, Holiness,
Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Socialist,
Communist, Dictatorial or any other stripe ……
We are to GO, GO, GO.
And yet we stand around.
Gazing heavenward – with our Jaw on the ground.
Waiting for Jesus’ return. And AMEN for it.
BUT!
Are we the witnesses Jesus wants us to be.
Or is that just for Missionaries, Preachers,
and maybe a few Deacons?
NO! “But YE SHALL receive power
after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and YE SHALL be witnesses ....."
