Acts 1:1-11
Scholars refer to the Book of Acts as the gospel of the Holy Spirit and the early church history.
It’s a bridge between the Gospels and Epistles.
Christians all over the world are adding to the 28th chapter through their lives, testimony and witness for Lord Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
The gospel account describes the ministry of Lord Jesus before crucifixion.
The book of Acts informs the reader what Lord Jesus is doing through Holy Spirit (His Spiritual Presence).
I. THE CONVINCING PROOF OF RESURRECTION (1-4A)
This is Luke saying to Theophilus about his previous writing which is Gospel of Luke.
We don’t know who Theophilus is – he could be a Christian or a seeker in faith.
Resurrection of Lord Jesus is very important for the church – everything is based on that.
A. Physical Presence (HIS glorified body)
After HIS suffering (Crucifixion) the Lord visibly appeared to them in physical body.
Luke attempts to remove all doubts by reminding us that Lord Jesus appeared many times and many places to many people under differing circumstances.
We notice that HE was eating food with HIS disciples.
B. HIS top priority “Kingdom of God”
Kingdom of God must have been HIS top agenda during 40 days of HIS post resurrection meetings with HIS disciples.
The disciples always had a political view of the kingdom of God because of the oppressive Roman rule.
So HE was preparing them for the spiritual kingdom of God through the Church.
II. PROMISE OF POWER FROM ABOVE (4b-7)
The Lord commands not to leave Jerusalem but wait for the promised power.
The promised power is a GIFT – no one can earn that power – a gift of God – a gift from God.
Even in those intense moments with the Lord they were concerned about restoration of David’s throne at Jerusalem.
This shows that the disciples were not yet ready to take up the great responsibility of preaching the Gospel.
III. HOLY SPIRIT EQUIPS FOR WITNESS
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Lord in HIS final meeting with HIS disciples on the Mount of Olives is providing a bridge between HIS earthly ministry and the disciples’ future mission.
Without the power of the Holy Spirit it it will be mission impossible.
We have to understand that even though the disciples lived with HIM for 3 and half years and witnessed many miracles with their own eyes – heard HIM preach about the kingdom of God – now seeing the risen Lord physically – they are not yet ready for the task ahead.
Witness means in Greek martus or martyr or we can understand ‘loyalty at all costs’.
The key here is the power of the Holy Spirit is not yet given to them.
HE gave them new dose of courage and promised new supernatural power for a brand new task of establishing HIS Church on earth.
The Lord promises them the power of the Holy Spirit - the super natural power to witness and evangelize Jews and Gentiles.
IV. THE ASCENSION (9-11)
The Lord was taken up from Mount of Olives and HE will sure to come back at the same place.
The earthly existence of Lord Jesus ended with a note of promise about HIS ultimate 2nd coming with HIS church after 7 years of tribulations.
As HE was hidden by a cloud at the Lord’s departure, HE will be revealed with a cloud at HIS return – this is what we know as the 2nd coming with the Church to rule as King of Kings.
The Church that started with twelve illiterate disciples became a mega church worldwide with a strong 3-4 billion people.
This is all because of the power of the Holy Spirit working through the life of the church worldwide.
People continue to testify and witness for their faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Scholars refer to the Book of Acts as the gospel of the Holy Spirit and the early church history.
It’s a bridge between the Gospels and Epistles.
Christians all over the world are adding to the 28th chapter through their lives, testimony and witness for Lord Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
The gospel account describes the ministry of Lord Jesus before crucifixion.
The book of Acts informs the reader what Lord Jesus is doing through Holy Spirit (His Spiritual Presence).
I. THE CONVINCING PROOF OF RESURRECTION (1-4A)
This is Luke saying to Theophilus about his previous writing which is Gospel of Luke.
We don’t know who Theophilus is – he could be a Christian or a seeker in faith.
Resurrection of Lord Jesus is very important for the church – everything is based on that.
A. Physical Presence (HIS glorified body)
After HIS suffering (Crucifixion) the Lord visibly appeared to them in physical body.
Luke attempts to remove all doubts by reminding us that Lord Jesus appeared many times and many places to many people under differing circumstances.
We notice that HE was eating food with HIS disciples.
B. HIS top priority “Kingdom of God”
Kingdom of God must have been HIS top agenda during 40 days of HIS post resurrection meetings with HIS disciples.
The disciples always had a political view of the kingdom of God because of the oppressive Roman rule.
So HE was preparing them for the spiritual kingdom of God through the Church.
II. PROMISE OF POWER FROM ABOVE (4b-7)
The Lord commands not to leave Jerusalem but wait for the promised power.
The promised power is a GIFT – no one can earn that power – a gift of God – a gift from God.
Even in those intense moments with the Lord they were concerned about restoration of David’s throne at Jerusalem.
This shows that the disciples were not yet ready to take up the great responsibility of preaching the Gospel.
III. HOLY SPIRIT EQUIPS FOR WITNESS
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Lord in HIS final meeting with HIS disciples on the Mount of Olives is providing a bridge between HIS earthly ministry and the disciples’ future mission.
Without the power of the Holy Spirit it it will be mission impossible.
We have to understand that even though the disciples lived with HIM for 3 and half years and witnessed many miracles with their own eyes – heard HIM preach about the kingdom of God – now seeing the risen Lord physically – they are not yet ready for the task ahead.
Witness means in Greek martus or martyr or we can understand ‘loyalty at all costs’.
The key here is the power of the Holy Spirit is not yet given to them.
HE gave them new dose of courage and promised new supernatural power for a brand new task of establishing HIS Church on earth.
The Lord promises them the power of the Holy Spirit - the super natural power to witness and evangelize Jews and Gentiles.
IV. THE ASCENSION (9-11)
The Lord was taken up from Mount of Olives and HE will sure to come back at the same place.
The earthly existence of Lord Jesus ended with a note of promise about HIS ultimate 2nd coming with HIS church after 7 years of tribulations.
As HE was hidden by a cloud at the Lord’s departure, HE will be revealed with a cloud at HIS return – this is what we know as the 2nd coming with the Church to rule as King of Kings.
The Church that started with twelve illiterate disciples became a mega church worldwide with a strong 3-4 billion people.
This is all because of the power of the Holy Spirit working through the life of the church worldwide.
People continue to testify and witness for their faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
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