Acts 1:1-11
1: In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 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.
4 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; 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, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Reflection
Despite its traditional title, “The Acts of the Apostles” is a book about Jesus, depicting the continuing actions and teachings of Christ in a way that no other book of the Bible does. Luke claims that as the budding Christian movement spreads, Jesus himself is at work (cf. Acts 1:8; 4:10, 30; 5:32; 7:55, 59–60; 9:5, 15–17). The church is Jesus’ vehicle for continuing his work in the world.
The first item on Jesus’ mind after the resurrection is that the apostles wait for the power of the Holy Spirit. This power is what allows them to be Christ’s “witnesses” in the world (1:8), which is the primary task of the people of God. The first disciples were charged to bear witness to the risen Christ, whom they had seen with their eyes, by beginning in Jerusalem and then moving outward to “the end of the earth” (v. 8). This concept is not unique to Acts or the New Testament. God has always been concerned that his people reflect on what he has done and tell others about it. God’s people have always been called to proclaim his greatness. “I have redeemed you,” God says in Isaiah. “ ‘You are my witnesses. . . . and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he’ ” (Isa. 43:1, 10). God’s command for us to “Declare his glory among the nations” (Ps. 96:3) is fulfilled in the calling to now take the gospel to the ends of the earth.
1 Peter 3:8-17
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For“Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
Reflection
Whatever we face in this world, as long as we are looking to Christ as Lord we cannot ultimately be harmed. The good life is the hard life of trusting Christ. In the gospel we have been promised an eternal inheritance, ours freely for the taking, all because of the grace of God. This is “the hope that is in [us]” (1 Pet. 3:15), through which we can quietly endure all things. We await an eternal glory that will make the hardships of this life, though genuinely painful, prove to be light and momentary (Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:16–18). Our calling now is to “honor Christ the Lord as holy” in our hearts (1 Pet. 3:15), knowing that our reward will make all other concerns small in comparison.
Psalm 96:1-6
96: Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
The book of Acts demonstrates the centrality of gospel proclamation in the church’s disciple-making mission. Pray that you and your church family would have an increasing appreciation for the need to understand, hear, and declare the gospel.