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1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 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.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; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 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.” 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.”
Points of Interest
  • v3. Jesus spent those 40 days teaching and proving himself to the disciples. So that there would be no doubt that Jesus had resurrected.
  • v.5 Jesus is promising a baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is pretty amazing, because up until now, people have only thought about baptism with water – and for forgiveness of sins. But Jesus is promising something completely different. Baptism of the Holy Spirit – in a sense, being completely immersed in the Holy Spirit! Cool!
  • v.6 The disciples are still looking for the arrival of an earthly kingdom. But I love how Jesus says that it’s not for them to know the times or the seasons that God has fixed. The disciples are focused on a point – a kingdom. But Jesus responds with the reality that God is doing a “work” across a period of “time” – and we can trust him in that.
  • v.8 “power” – the promise is that as disciples, we will receive “power.” What is that power? It’s authority given to us through the Holy Spirit. In many ways, the Holy Spirit marks us as believers – it’s the seal of his Kingly authority in our lives.
  • v11 “why do you stand looking into heaven?” The angels ask the disciples why they are still standing around. It’s as if, we shouldn’t just be standing and waiting for Christ’s return – but we should live life for Him.

 

Praying in Faith

For Yourself

Ask God to immerse you in His Spirit this week – reminding you daily that you are His child and have His authority and power!

For Your Five

Pray for your five, asking God to open their eyes to know that Jesus is alive.

For Our Church

Pray that God might lead our church to seeing how we are to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

 

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