Project 119: Acts 1:1-11
| Project 119
“The Story Continues”
The book of Acts is the original “church history.” It recounts the movement of the Christian witness “from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Written by Luke, the author of the third gospel, Acts continues Luke’s account of the Jesus story by emphasizing the unshakeable confidence believers in Christ possess as they point toward the good future God has for them in the power of His Holy Spirit.
Acts is addressed to Theophilus (“lover of God”), most likely a pseudonym for a high-ranking Roman official who had come to faith in Jesus Christ. The astute reader will notice that while Luke mentions a beginning, located in the earthly ministry of Jesus, the fact of His impending ascension will mean that the gospel will have no ending. It will instead be a story that continues through the ministry of the church, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Luke starts out his “second volume” of the Jesus story by assuring his readers that the first followers of Jesus were not deluded souls. They were certain of the resurrection because of how Jesus had offered them proofs of Himself over a forty-day period, a significant number in the Bible. All of Jesus’ resurrection appearances over this time centered on “the kingdom of God,” which was perceived by the Romans to be a direct threat to their power in the first century world.
Whereas other gospels have the disciples going to Galilee after Jesus’ crucifixion, Luke describes a different tradition, one that has them remaining in Jerusalem until they receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. In his gospel, Luke had called Jesus’ instructions “power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
The disciples now want a timetable, a not-so-strange request. Their concern is for a kingdom that will bring deliverance from Roman domination. But Jesus refuses their request. The only sign he will give them is the gift of the Holy Spirit, which he calls “power (dynamos=dynamite) from on high.” Then Jesus is taken up into heaven, a manifestation of a divine work reminiscent of the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36). Two angels appear next, even as on Easter (Luke 24:4), who call the disciples to the work of continuing witness to Jesus. This manner of witness is to be the primary mission of the church until Jesus returns.
We stand in the tradition of believers who have been commissioned to bear witness to the risen and ascended Jesus, who sits at the right hand of God. In the same way as did the first disciples, so do we receive assurance that we have committed our way to Him who towers over all rulers and authorities. As we faithfully speak and live, we carry forth the story of Jesus so that others may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and know the same confidence as we. There is no other reason for the church to exist. Anything less is a forfeiture of our high calling.
Acts 1:1-11 (ESV):
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard 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 asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”