1. Purpose of the book
(BKC) Luke’s goal was to record the spread of the gospel message from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria and to the ends of the earth (1:8). Barclay asserts, “Luke’s great aim was to show the expansion of Christianity, to show how that religion which began in a little corner of Palestine had in a little more than 30 years reached Rome”
In addition there is a stress on God’s sovereignty. In spite of intense opposition of every kind, the Word of God spreads and people respond
2. Repeated
v.1-8
a. KOG
Jesus spoke about matters concerning the KOG over the 40 day period v.3 and they asked Him about the timing of the KOG. It was an legitimate question, but not permitted to know. The Father has set the times. Trust Him.
(BKC) The sentence is introduced by the connective so (men oun), which associates the thought of verse 6 with verse 5. In the disciples’ minds the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the coming of the promised kingdom were closely associated. And well they should be, because the Old Testament frequently joined the two (cf. Isa. 32:15–20; 44:3–5; Ezek. 39:28–29; Joel 2:28–3:1; Zech. 12:8–10)
b. HS
v.2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after he had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen
v.5 you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit (BKC) Christ Jesus would join His followers to Himself by the Holy Spirit. The word baptized...has the idea of “uniting with” (cf. 1 Cor. 10:1–2)
v.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 farthest parts of the earth
Jesus gave orders by the HS, and the order was also about the power given by the HS. The power by the HS was probably related to their baptism of the HS or the uniting with Christ by the HS.
c. being lifted up or taken up to heaven v.2, 9, 11
(BKC) It was imperative that the Ascension occur so that the promised Comforter could come (cf. John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; Acts 2:33–36). The Holy Spirit would empower the disciples as they ministered the gospel and waited for the kingdom.
3. The apostles took the waiting period seriously
4 While he was with them, he declared, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what my Father promised, which you heard about from me.
v.8 you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem
They probably did not know how to wait for the HS and then have the power from the HS to witness. Here were what they did
14 All these continued together in prayer with one mind
v. 22 one of these must become a witness of his resurrection together with us.” 23 So they proposed two candidates:
That was the preparation for them to follow what Jesus told them to do. Get ready to be the witnesses. Do I get ready when I wait?
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