Chapter #1
Acts 1:1-8
The Book of Acts is an inspired history of the apostolic ministry
of the early church, covering a period of thirty to thirty-five years.
The central theme throughout the book is the ascension and Lordship of
Jesus Christ. It was written by Luke, who was also author of the
gospel narrative bearing his name. Acts begins where the Gospel of
Luke ends, with the ascension of Christ. It is a history of the church
of Christ in its infancy, showing God's constant care and special
providence for it. In these first verses five important lessons are
set before us.
First, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY LAWGIVER IN HIS CHURCH
(vv. 1-2). Luke makes a connection between his gospel and the Book of
Acts. Both were written specifically for a man named Theophilus (Lk.
1:3), a man of rank and honor. Not many noble are called (I Cor.1:26),
but some are. God has chosen some of all ranks. Theophilus means
either "lover of God" or "loved of God".
Luke describes his gospel as "a treatise of all that Jesus began
both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up." Though
they did not record every word and deed of Christ (John 21:25), Luke
and the other gospel writers did record all that the Holy Spirit
inspired, all that we need to know, particularly all that Christ did
and said relating to the salvation of his people; his obedience to
God, his conformity to the law, and his death as our Substitute, by
which he brought in everlasting righteousness and obtained eternal
redemption for us.
Christ gave his commandments by the Holy Spirit to chosen
apostles, and by them to his church. All the doctrines and ordinances,
faith and practice of the church are, by the commandment of Christ,
laid down in the Word of God (II Tim. 3:16).
Secondly, OUR LORD JESUS GAVE MANY INFALLIBLE PROOFS OF HIS
RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD (v. 3). Our Savior appeared to his
disciples many times, publicly and privately, giving irrefutable proof
of his resurrection (I Cor. 15:5). He spent forty days on the earth
after his resurrection, eating and drinking, walking and talking with
his disciples, showing them his hands and side, and teaching them
things concerning the kingdom of God. The testimony of those honest
men and women who saw the risen Christ cannot be rejected except by
those who are willfully ignorant.
Thirdly, THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER
(vv. 4-5). There are thousands of promises in the Bible, but only the
promise of the Spirit is called "the promise of the Father." God the
Father promised that he would pour out his Spirit upon all flesh in
the last day (Joel 2:28), and Christ promised his disciples the gift
of the Spirit from the Father (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7; 7:37-39; Gal.
3:13-14).
Fourthly, EVEN THE MOST GIFTED AND USEFUL MEN IN THE WORLD ARE
ONLY FALLIBLE MEN AND ARE SOMETIMES CONFUSED (vv. 6-7). "Lord, wilt
thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" They were
curious about the fulfilment of prophecy. They did not yet understand
the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom. These were faithful,
believing men, loyal to Christ; but they were only men. Being men,
they were confused about the kingdom of Christ. Learn two things from
this verse: 1. There are no infallible men in this world! The apostles
themselves were not infallible. They wrote the Holy Scriptures by the
infallible direction of God the Holy Spirit (II Pet. 1:21). What they
wrote is the infallible, inerrant Word of God. But the apostles
themselves were just men, sinners saved by grace!
2. We ought to be patient and forbearing with one another's
faults, weaknesses and failures. Our Lord did not show the least bit
of anger toward his erring disciples. Certainly we should be as kind
to one another (Eph. 4:32). The lesson of verse seven is one we need often to be reminded of
- There are some things God does not intend for us to know! No one on
earth knows when Christ will come again, or when the end of the world
will be. Indeed, there are many things known only to God. We must
never pry into that which God has not revealed (Deut. 29:29). We are
to search the scriptures, studying the Word of God, that we might know
those things he has revealed concerning himself, us, his Son, and his
salvation.
Fifthly, OUR LORD PLAINLY TELLS US WHAT THE LIFELONG WORK AND
RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY BELIEVER IS (v. 8). "Ye shall be witnesses
unto me" (Isa. 43:10, 12; 44:8; Lk. 24:48). Notice two things in this
eighth verse. 1. "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you." Without question, this refers to the special, apostolic power
that came upon those men chosen to be our Lord's apostles. Yet, it
certainly has meaning for us today. No one can ever be saved, serve
God, or lay down his life in the cause of Christ as his witness until
the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit comes upon him in
regeneration. "Salvation is of the Lord!" It is by God's grace alone
(Rom. 11:6; Eph. 2:8-9).
2. When the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
the Son of God says, "Ye shall be witnesses unto me." A witness is one
who accurately and honestly relates to others that which he has heard
with his own ears, seen with his own eyes, and felt and experienced in
his own heart. He does not relate secondhand information. He declares
only what he himself knows to be true (I John 1:1-3). It is the
privilege, responsibility, and honor of every believer to be a witness
for Christ in his generation. This is every believer's calling and
vocation in this world. Every true Christian is a missionary. Every
true believer is an evangelist. Every true follower of Christ is a
preacher. Every true child of God is his witness. The word witness is
the word from which we get the word martyr. Christ's witnesses are his
martyrs, people who lay down their lives in the cause of Christ! Go
ahead and work your job, so that you can pay the expenses of life; but
do not forget that your calling, your life's work is to be his
witness. Let nothing interfere with that! [Grace Baptist Church of Danville | Todd's Road Grace Church] [Search | Videos | Audio Tapes | Home Page | Webmaster]
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