Acts 1:1-11

Passage

1 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day He was taken up, after He had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. 3 After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “This,” He said, “is what 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, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. 10 While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.”

Study Questions

Acts 1:3

• Reflect on what this period with Jesus must have been like for the disciples.

  Although Scripture does not mention specific proofs, I’m sure that Jesus showed multiple signs that he showed to previous disciples including the pierced rib, his wrists among other things. His discipleship after he rose from the dead must have been quite life changing. I remember after Peter’s betrayal, he went to mourn his decision and how amazing it must have been to Peter. Jesus proved to Peter once again that He overcame death and forgave Peter of his sins.

Acts 1:6-8

• Note the difference in scope of perspective in the exchange between the apostles and Jesus. In what ways has walking with Christ resulted in an enlarging of the scope of my life?

  The disciples expect Jesus to establish His kingdom on earth as the prophecy states but is mistaken in understanding the true meaning: God’s kingdom will be established through Church and its believers. Jesus then gives the Great Commission: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

  Walking with Christ has allowed me to have love for those around me. Being an INTJ, it is super easy to forget that Jesus loved those first and then comes discipleship as well as reaching out. This constant battle against my pride has allowed me to become friends with those I would never have become friends with. I thank God for loving me and teaching me how to spread His love to others around me.

Acts 1:1-11

• What is the primary role of the Holy Spirit’s coming?

  Holy Spirit came to empower Jesus’s disciples and knowing this, I know that I am empowered as long as I continue to seek the Him. Sometimes, it is really easy to forget and put someone or something else on my pedastool of worship. Satan makes it super tempting to forgoe the hardship of being a Christian in an environment that does not look fondly and I fall every so often.

  However, I know that there is redemption and as long as I strive to live a life like Christ and ask for forgiveness daily, I will become stronger than the previous day.

• Who are the people in my circles of influence to whom Jesus is sending me to be his witness?

  The easiest people would be my lost friends. I love them dearly but I am unsure of how to reach out at times. It is something to continuously thinkabout and ask God for help.

Free Thought

Father, thank you so much for providing your son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins. The sins that I have committed against you is grave and deserving of eternal punishment, yet you turned that into eternal bliss by choosing your son as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit down so that I may be able to serve you and ask you for your wisdom. Please help me to become more like your son each day. Amen.