SCRIPTURE: Acts 1 

KEY POINTS TO PONDER: Luke, in Acts 1, reminds us of what we learned in chapter 24 of Luke: that Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified and spent time with the disciples, eating with them and continuing to teach and guide them. Jesus told them that he had to suffer on the cross to save us all and that the forgiveness of sins must be proclaimed to all people (Luke 24:47). He tells the disciples that they must wait in Jerusalem for God to come through on His promise of giving them the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4). As Jesus ascends into heaven we may think that this is the end of his presence on earth, but Luke is telling us it’s exactly the opposite! His ascension from earth into heaven begins the time in which He continues to expand the Kingdom of God on earth through the Holy Spirit. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This is the key passage for the entire book. The rest of the book of Acts is the reality of this unfolding. In chapters 1-7, the gospel goes to Jerusalem and Judea. In chapters 8-11, the gospel goes to Samaria. In chapters 12-28, the gospel goes to the ends of the earth. The way this command is fulfilled in the book of Acts actually comes by way of persecution. As the Church is persecuted they “scatter,” taking the gospel with them. 

CHALLENGING TERMS: “The Kingdom of God” signifies the reign and rule of God, gradually transforming individual lives and changing entire cultures into the image of Christ through the Holy Spirit (v. 3). 

REFLECTION: How does knowing that the expansion of God’s Kingdom is fully dependent on the Holy Spirit change your feelings about your role in “proclaiming his name to all nations?” What inhibits you from being a “witness” of Jesus’ in the areas you live and spend time? 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for sending your Son to save us of our sinful nature. Thank you that His physical time on earth was only the beginning of your work on earth. 

Pray for boldness to Jesus’ witness in the exact places God has you. Pray to live this out in the power of the Holy Spirit.