The Word Of God

The Book of Acts: Part 1

Establishment of the church (1:1-5)

(1) In my first book* I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach (2) until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. (3) During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. (4) Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. (5) John baptized with* water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

(1:1)

In the book of Acts, Luke continues his story he began in his Gospel, covering the 30 years after Jesus was taken up into heaven. During that short time the church was established, and the Good News of salvation was spread throughout the world, even to the capital of the Roman Empire. Those preaching the Good News, though ordinary people with human frailties and limitations, were empowered by the Holy Spirit to take it all over the world.

(1:1-3)

Luke says that the disciples were eyewitnesses to all that had happened to Jesus Christ--his life before crucifixion, and the 40 days after his resurrection as he taught them more about the Kingdom of God. Today people still doubt Jesus' resurrection. But Jesus appeared to the disciples on many occasions afterwards, to prove he was alive. Consider the change to their lives of his resurrection. When he dies they became disillusioned, they scattered, and feared for their lives. After seeing he was alive they were not afraid and risked everything to spread the Good News about him all around the world. Even though they were rejected, imprisoned, beaten, and martyrdom they didn't compromise their mission. They would not have risked or even given their lives if it was a fraud.

(1:4, 5)

The Trinity is a description of the unique relationships of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. If Jesus had stayed on earth, his physical presence would have limited the spread of the Good News because physically he could be in only one place at a time. After Christ was taken up to heaven, he would be spiritually present through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent so that God could be with and within his followers after Christ returned to heaven. The Spirit would comfort them, guide them to know his truth, remind them of Jesus' words, give them the right words to say, and fill them with power. (See John 14-16)