Explore the Bible
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile
Entrusted
Acts 1:1–11
The Remembered Promise (1–5)
The book of Acts is the first written history of the Church. Luke, a doctor and one of Paul’s companions, followed up his gospel narrative with this historical account of the beginning of the Church. It shows the unfolding of God’s activity through His Church, expanding His kingdom to the ends of the earth.
It is important to recognize that from the outset, Luke affirms the actual physical resurrection of Christ. This is no fantasy or mass hallucination of the risen Christ. Many non-Christians today treat the resurrection as a myth or metaphor, but for Christians this is the hinge upon which our faith rests. In fact Paul says as much in 1 Corinthians 15:12–19. A denial of the physical resurrection of Christ is the greatest mistake a person can make because it is a denial of the power and promises of God.
While Jesus spent time with the disciples He emphasized that they were to wait for the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit we can do nothing because the Spirit brings life (John 6:63).
It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that the Church advanced in the Book of Acts and it is still through the power of the Spirit that the Church advances today. We need to be careful to be attuned to the Holy Spirit and act upon His leading, not ours.
Throughout the Bible the Holy Spirit leads Christians into areas that do not seem logical, but if we are attuned to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will trust God and not our circumstances. “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7).
The Resurrection Proclaimed (6–8)
The disciples wanted to know if Jesus was going to set up His kingdom on earth at this time. Instead of answering the question, Jesus points them to their main purpose — to be His witnesses.
Just like the disciples we often are concerned about issues to which we want an answer: When will Christ return? Why does God allow injustice? Just like Jesus’ response to the disciples the Bible points us to the main issues we should be concerned with, the chief of which is being witnesses for Him.
When Jesus lays out the areas where the disciples will be witnesses, it is a foreshadowing of the Book of Luke — it begins in Jerusalem, moves to Judea and Samaria and then leads to Paul’s journeys throughout the Roman Empire.
Of course this sets the pattern for Christians today. We need to be witnesses wherever we are. It is important to note that each Christian is to be a missionary. This is not something that is reserved for those who travel to the remote jungles of Africa or some far flung place.
The Return Portrayed (9–11)
Following Jesus’ last instructions, He ascended into heaven. It is reassuring to know He also will return in the same way (see 1 Thess. 4:13–18).
What great encouragement is this for us today? When we face trials and opposition, when we face sickness and death, when we face heartbreak and frustration, we can take heart that there will be a day when Christ will return and we will be caught up with Him to go to a place where there will be no more death, pain or grief (Rev. 21:4).
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