We have now moved into the book of Acts for our Summer Reading Challenge of 2022. Today’s reflections from Acts chapter 1, address Jesus’ promise that the Holy Spirit would empower the Apostles for the Proclamation of the Gospel.
- Acts 1 has 3 main movements: (1) the promise of the Holy Spirit (1:1-5); (2) the commission & ascension (1:6-11); (3) Matthias chosen to replace Judas (1:12-26)
- Today’s episode focuses on those first and second movements, looking at the transition between the Gospel accounts and what happens afterwards, and how the charge of Jesus to the Apostles serves as the framework for the entire book.
PART 1: The Bridge between the Gospels and Acts
- We see at the beginning of the book of Acts a very concise introduction. This is the second installment of two books written by Luke for someone by the name of Theophilus. In his first book, he “dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). It is worth hearing Luke’s introduction to his first volume in Luke 1:1-4
- “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
- Luke’s attention to detail and “orderly account” continues here in the book of Acts. On this note, just as the books of Luke and Acts were originally written to be considered as a whole — I would encourage you to consider the New Testament and the rest of the Bible as a whole to be embraced.
- While certainly we do well to examine each verse, and phrase, and chapter, and book — we get to the best possible understanding of the Word, and the Lord who inspired it, not when we limit our reading to one section, but when we understand the overarching history of redemption.
- Luke’s attention to detail and “orderly account” continues here in the book of Acts. On this note, just as the books of Luke and Acts were originally written to be considered as a whole — I would encourage you to consider the New Testament and the rest of the Bible as a whole to be embraced.
- “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
- Coming back to the introduction for the book of Acts, It is interesting to note that Luke uses this word “began” — he “dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach” — Luke additionally says that Jesus gave “commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles” — the Book of Acts, then will be looking at what Jesus CONTINUES to do through the Holy Spirit working in and through the apostles.
- So, after Luke’s brief introduction and review of the 40 days between the Resurrection and Ascension, he moves now into the account of the Ascension and Jesus’ charge to His Apostles.
PART 2: The Charge to the Apostles and Framework of Acts
- For the rest of our time, I would like to focus on Acts 1:8 — which not only is Jesus’ charge to his Apostles, but also becomes the framework of the book as the Gospel and the church begins spread. There are two main parts to what He says:
- First, we see Jesus say, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”
- We can understand this in two ways (a) as applying exclusively to the Apostles or (b) to all who would be Jesus’ witnesses “to the end of the earth.”
- My take on it is this: the Apostles certainly had received a unique authority and outpouring of the Holy Spirt from Jesus. Their roll in the “birthing of Christianity” as a worldwide movement was also unique.
- However, the promise of the Holy Spirit — and His empowering presence — is for all believers as is evident through the book of Acts, the teaching of Jesus and of the Apostles. While the specific manifestation of “power” in our lives looks different than it did for them — this does not mean that we have the right to empty the promises of Scripture NOR neglect the work of the Holy Spirit in and through us.
- I know that I am guilty of neglecting the Holy Spirit and not relying on the power of God in various seasons of my life. How much of my sin and cowardice as a Christian has been from failing to “keep in step with the Spirit” as Paul writes in Galatians 5:25.
- What then is this “power” that Jesus speaks of?
- Based upon their previous experience of being sent out by Jesus, in this particular context, the Apostles would have likely understood Jesus as referring to the Holy Spirit empowering them to proclaim the message with which they had been entrusted and the working of miracles which would confirm that message proclaimed.
- It is worth noting what is mentioned in the ESV Study Bible[1] – this Greek word for power (dynamis) “is used at least seven other times in Acts to refer to power to work miracles in connection with gospel proclamation (see Acts 2:22; 3:12; 4:7; 6:8; 8:10; 10:38; 19:11).
- Also summarized from the ESV Study Bible[1] — what are some of the results of the abiding and indwelling work of the Spirit as seen throughout the New Testament — in addition to what we have already seen in regards to power in proclamation, we see “power for victory over sin (Acts 2:42–46; Rom. 6:11–14; 8:13–14; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 3:10), power for victory over Satan and demonic forces (Acts 2:42–46; 16:16–18; 2 Cor. 10:3–4; Eph. 6:10–18; 1 John 4:4), and a wide distribution of gifts for ministry (Acts 2:16–18; 1 Cor. 12:7, 11; 1 Pet. 4:10; cf. Num. 11:17, 24–29).” For Scripture references, see the note in the description.
- Based upon their previous experience of being sent out by Jesus, in this particular context, the Apostles would have likely understood Jesus as referring to the Holy Spirit empowering them to proclaim the message with which they had been entrusted and the working of miracles which would confirm that message proclaimed.
- We can understand this in two ways (a) as applying exclusively to the Apostles or (b) to all who would be Jesus’ witnesses “to the end of the earth.”
- Second, Jesus says, “and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem (the focus of Acts 1-7) and in all Judea and Samaria (the focus of Acts 8-12), and to the end of the earth (the focus of Acts 13-28).”
- Consider what the Apostles are now hearing — where before they had barely ventured into Samaria, they are now hearing that they must carry the testimony of Jesus Christ to the end of the earth!
- In this very verse we see the charge to carry the Gospel across regional, national, ethnic, and religious barriers. How in the world could they carry the Gospel into all the world? Only by the power of the Holy Spirit!
Conclusion:
- So my friend, as we read these words in Acts 1, do you realize that if you are a believer today it is because people have followed the same charge which was issued to the Apostles here and in Matthew 28:18-20? What is our role in fulfilling these words of Jesus?
- First, do you follow Jesus? Do you know Him and follow what He says?
- Second, and intimately connected with the first, have you received the Holy Spirit?
- Third, having received the Holy Spirit, do you depend upon His power to sustain and strengthen you to be a witness for Jesus?
- How can you be part of carrying the Gospel to the end of the earth? Wherever you are — and wherever this video is being heard — you can be part of God’s work in bringing people to the saving knowledge of Jesus! Not sure where to start? You could even use these videos as a talking point with your friends.
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