-We Are Acts.

-We Are Acts.

Luke 24:44-53

The first four books of the New Testament are commonly called the gospels. The fifth book, The Acts of the apostles, is tied to Luke by common authorship. So Luke wrote the gospel of Luke, and the book of Acts. That is important, because Luke gives us two accounts of Jesus’ accession. One in Luke, the other in Acts.

Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village. They walked by an old man sitting beside a fence, and one of them asked, “Were any great men born in this village?” The old man replied, “Nope, only babies”

The gospel of Luke, and the Book of Acts, are connected primarily because of their Savior! Jesus. P.H

Luke 24:44-52, we will divide theses verses for more clarity. The accession of Jesus is reported twice from the apostle Luke. One in Luke 24, again with a more detailed account in, Acts 1.

Luke 24:44NIV He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Luke 24:44, this echoes Luke 24, verse 27, And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

This is important because this claim points to Jesus as the one in whom all promises are fulfilled, including the redemption of not only his people, but the Gentiles as well.

This is pretty exciting news, Acts 3:19-21 even reveals the final restoration of all things.

Peter cries out, Acts 3:19-21NIV Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

In Isaiah 35, The time of restoration of all things is described by Isaiah: “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy....Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert”

In Revelation 21:5, John recorded Jesus saying, “I am making everything new!”

Going back to the text, Luke 24:45-49NIV Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

These 5 verses allude to the entire OT, rather than only individual verses, and this points to Jesus as the climax of God’s redemptive plan.

Isaiah 44:3NIV For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

Again, Luke 24:47MSG and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem!

Hear this word, The prediction of Jesus’ death and resurrection is not separated from the acts of repentance that it demands.

Acts 26:20NLT I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do.

This response will in turn lead to the forgiveness of sins...

Therefore here’s an important note, Jesus’ death and resurrection connect to essentially the outline of the book of Acts.

This mission is grounded in the OT, and the risen Lords commission in, Acts 1:8NKJV But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This is a mission to all nations to go... Go, Set, Ready. So, Acts 1:8, You are a witnesses of these things.

And this witness fulfills the prophetic call to God’s people to be His witnesses. -Receive power!

Isaiah 43:10NKJV “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me,?And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.