Acts 1:1-5

Acts 1:1-5

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.”

Acts is the sequel of Luke’s Gospel.  It seems to have been commissioned by Theophilus to whom both works are addressed.  We don’t know who he is, but we can be thankful to the Lord for him because in some way he facilitated or was a catalyst for these wonderful and highly important books of Scripture.  In these introductory verses we are introduced to the recipient of the book: Theophilus, the reason for the book: the resurrection of Jesus, and the resource of the book: the Holy Spirit.  It promises to be an exciting journey on which I am excited to embark. 

THE PURPOSE OF LUKE’S WRITING: In his Gospel Luke purposed to give an accurate account of all that Jesus did and taught from His birth to His ascension.  During this time, and especially after the resurrection, He had commanded the disciples to do many things.  The purpose of this current writing is to give an account of the result of those commandments.  Jesus had set an example through while living with the disciples that they were to emulate.  He had also instructed them about His perspective of the world and commanded them to live in light of that worldview.  The expectation was that the disciples were to obey the commands and repeat the instructions to those they would reach.  This is great methodology for discipleship: explain, exhort, exemplify.  Fallen men live according to a fallen worldview.  The truth of God’s Word must be accurately explained.  We must then challenge our hearers to order their lives according to those teachings through exhortation which is a combination of admonishment and encouragement.  However, the most effective and impactful aspect of discipleship is our example.  Jesus called His disciples to follow Him and we are to call our disciples to follow us as we seek to follow Christ.  Explanation and exhortation without exemplification will result in confusion.

THE PROOFS OF JESUS’S LIVING: After the resurrection of Jesus, He presented Himself to the disciples on multiple occasions during a forty-day period.  These are men who had spent three years following Jesus, so the proof of his resurrection is indisputable.  They knew Him and His teachings and all that they saw of the resurrected Jesus was consistent with the pre-crucifixion Jesus.  The passage speaks of “many proofs” that He gave of the resurrection.  In the Gospels we saw that this included miracles as well as supernatural physical appearances.  I presume from the end of John’s account that there were many more signs that are not recorded for us in Scripture.  What Luke wants to make sure of is that Theophilus and we clearly understand that Jesus rose from the dead.  The crucifixion paid the price for our sin and the resurrection demonstrates that the Father accepted His death as payment in full to the point that the penalty of death no longer resides over Him who bore all our sin.  These are very important truths that should fill us with joy.  The account we will see in the book shows us that these men who saw the resurrected Christ were willing to suffer and die to take the message of Christ to the nations.  This is yet another proof of the fact as well as an example for us to follow.

THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT’S COMING: Jesus instructed for the disciples to stay in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit to baptize them.  This is a new function of the Spirit made possible by the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ necessitated by the responsibilities the disciples had been given to make disciples in all nations.  It is a massive undertaking requiring supernatural strength, courage, and abilities.  The Holy Spirit’s ministry is to accomplish that mission through the followers of Jesus.  A concentration of the disciples in Jerusalem would be necessary for the beginning of this missionary endeavor.  God’s Spirit has come to enable us for all that God has commanded.  His power is vital to the mission and it is available to all who believe.  No matter how difficult life and ministry might seem, believers are never alone.  The Spirit is always with us to help us to obey, convict us when we disobey, remind us of God’s Word, give us courage, equip, motivate, and empower us to accomplish His will and work.  This truth should be a constant source of comfort and strength for all of us.

APPLICATION: Seek to understand all that Jesus did and taught to the best of your ability.  As you grow in that understanding, strive to follow His example and explain His instructions to others.  Be assured of the resurrection of Christ.  Rest in knowing that His resurrection is a guarantee of your resurrection if you are a believer.  Seek to promote the spread of the Gospel to all men in all nations.  Know that the Spirit of God indwells you, empowers you and equips you do all of this and much more.