Acts - Week 1 / Monday

Monday, May 19, 2008

Today we embark on our study of the New Testament book of Acts. This is such a vitally important book for every believer because it serves as a connecting point between the Gospels and the Epistles (or Letters) and Revelation. If we did not have the book of Acts we would know very little about how the church began, or how the gospel got from Jerusalem to Rome. In fact, we would know very little about who the Apostle Paul was if we were not introduced to him in the book of Acts. Acts is also very important because it gives us some of our greatest insight into the work of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives. So, let’s jump into this exciting story of the church.

Grab your Bible and begin today by reading Acts 1:1-11

The very beginning verses introduce us to the baptism in the Holy Spirit. After Jesus was resurrected from the grave, he spent 40 days appearing to his followers and giving them many convincing proofs that he was indeed alive. On one of these occasions he gave a directive to this disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they had received the gift that the Father had promised, and that gift was the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Jesus declared to his disciples that he was not about to set up an earthly kingdom at this time. That time would come, but that was information that could not be given to the disciples. And then Jesus gives them the wonderful promise in vs.8 that lays out what he wants them to be occupied in doing when he leaves this earth to go back to the Father. “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 purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit was to give them power to be witnesses of Christ. The same is true today. Christ is still baptizing his followers in the Holy Spirit for the purpose of empowering them to be effective witnesses in their world. Why? Because the task that Jesus gave to his disciples is not yet completed. Jesus told them to take the good news of the gospel to every creature. And until that is completed, Jesus’ followers will need the power of the Holy Spirit to help accomplish that daunting task.

Would you like to be more powerful in your witness? Would you enjoy having more boldness when an opportunity to speak for Christ comes your way? That’s precisely what God would love to do in all our lives, if we will allow him to fill us with his Holy Spirit.

After Christ gave his followers this promise of a personal Pentecost, he left them and ascended back to heaven. Jesus would no longer be with them in person, but he promised that he would send the Holy Spirit to be their constant companion in life.

The final thought in these verses has to do with the return of Jesus to this earth. The angels told the watching disciples that Jesus would return just as they had seen him go. It was not a snatching away, but rather a gradual movement. And the promise is that he will return to this earth in a similar fashion.

This all meant that Jesus’ first coming was now fulfilled. What he had come to this earth to do had been accomplished. His work of redemption was complete. It would be a long time before his return, but the disciples had their work laid out for them. And they would not be alone in their endeavors. The Holy Spirit would accompany them. The disciples were to obey with the assurance that he would come again. The promise of his return is as emphatic as it could possibly be. And that reality ought to motivate each of us to live our lives in such a way that we are ready for his return.

Tomorrow: How do you replace a disgraced disciple?