In The Word
Read: Acts 1:1-11
Introduction
1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen.3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of things regarding the kingdom of God. 4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me;5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”
The Ascension
9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, 11 and they said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
We now begin our devotions in the Book of Acts. Some call it the “Acts of the Apostles,” but I believe it’s better described as the “Acts of the Holy Spirit.” The book, written by Luke, is his second volume of the collection that includes the Gospel of Luke. The Book of Acts can be divided into two sections. One, which we will be studying this quarter, is chapters 1 through 12 which describe Peter’s work in the early church. The second half records Paul’s work in the expanding church.
For forty days after His resurrection, Jesus took care of business before He left to return to the right hand of the Father. First, He strengthened His disciples and reminded them to wait in Jerusalem for a power which will come from the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). Second, Jesus reminded them of their priority of spreading the gospel all across the world (Acts 1:8). It’s amusing to note the disciples were more concerned about the Jewish state and its condition of Roman rule (Acts 1:6) while Jesus was more concerned with the condition of human souls (Acts 1:8).
I know it’s hard sometimes to look at the current condition of the United States of America and not want to inquire of the Lord for its redemption, but God is more concerned for the condition of people’s hearts. You have been charged to be a witness. A witness is one who testifies of the truth of what they’ve seen, heard, or know. Who could better tell of the goodness of God than someone who has accepted His Son Jesus Christ? Tell someone today what a difference knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior has made in your life.