MARCHING ORDERS
Acts 1:1-11 - PAGE 1
The
Over the next several weeks we plan to
study the early church as found in Acts 1-12.
This church, in many ways, is the model of how we should do things, and
what we should expect to happen in church as we obey God.
This week we consider the directions our
Lord gave the early church, as he left for Heaven by way of the Ascension.
Although called the "Acts Of The
Apostles", it might better be called the "Acts Of
The Holy Spirit", for it is His work in building the early church that is
featured. In the first 12 chapters we
find much about the ministry of Peter.
In the last 16 chapters, Paul is the main character.
PREFACE Vss. 1-3
Vs. 1 – The former treatise
was the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:1-4
Both Luke and Acts were addressed to Theophilus.
The name Theophilus
means "Friend Of God". The title would imply
that he was some sort of official. Luke's purpose was that of instruction and
so that he would know the certainty of what he had been taught.
Vs. 1 - There is an interesting word in
this verse. The word is "began".
Luke is the story of what Jesus began to do
and teach.
Acts is the continuation of that
story.
The only difference,
is that Jesus was now in Heaven, and that Jesus was now working through the
power of the Holy Spirit.
Vs. 2 - We are shown the
extent of the material covered by Luke's Gospel. Luke's Gospel had covered the
Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. The
ascension was preceded by commandments given to his apostles.
In the broadest sense, his apostles are all
those who were witnesses of the resurrection.
In the strictest sense, the Apostles are the 12.
Vs. 3 – Over a period of 40
days Jesus made several appearances, showing himself to be alive, and giving
instruction concerning the
PROMISE Vss. 4-5
The Apostles were to remain in
They were to wait for a very special event.
It was the initial baptism and indwelling
of the Holy Spirit which God had promised through the Lord Jesus. John
14:16-18, John 16:7-15
Vs. 5 - John's Baptism was
symbolic. So is believer's baptism. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the real
baptism.
Speaking of Jesus, John the Baptist said in
Mark 1:8, I indeed have baptized
you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Believers are baptized today with the Holy
Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 8:9
PROGRAM Vss. 6-8
Vs. 6 - It is very easy for us to criticize
the Apostles for this
question. After all, hadn't Jesus been teaching them?
Notice that Jesus didn't rebuke the
Apostles. Why should we?
The disciples had always associated the
work of the Messiah with the establishment of the
"Lord," they were asking, is now
the time?
Vs.7 - Here is a great
reminder for you and I.
The Apostles were told that it was not for
them to know the
exact time of when God would
do what was in his power to do.
There are many people who have gone
overboard making predictions about when Jesus would come. This is not in the realm of things we are to
know.
Beloved, when God doesn't tell us things
that are under His own jurisdiction, let us not waste our time trying to figure
God out. If God doesn't tell us
something, let's just trust him!
Vs. 8 - Here is the program of
God for the church. He endues the members of the church with Holy Spirit Power.
Power to have victory over sin.
Power to live a Godly life.
Power to pray.
Power to bear fruit.
Power to have supernatural joy,
thanksgiving, and submission.
But most of all, the purpose of the power
of the Holy Spirit is to give power to witness.
We witness by our words. 2 Peter 2:15
We witness by our works. Matthew 5:16
Notice the program of witness began at
It proceeded to the other side of the
tracks, to
It went on to the whole world.
Our witness as a church and as individuals
begins at our
It continues to areas not far from here.
It progresses to the whole world.
Don't expect to be a witness to the world
until you are a witness to your own
The Great Commission is a three-fold
project. Matthew 28:18-20
PROGRESSION Vs. 9
Jesus has progressed to Heaven. In Heaven
He sits at the right hand of God interceding for us.
Romans 8:34, Hebrews 4:14-16
How He looks today is described in
Revelation 1:12-16
PREDICTION Vss. 10-11
Jesus is coming again.
I do not believe that the angels are
talking about the rapture here. I believe that they are talking about his
physical coming to earth again.
Zechariah 14:1-4