Summary of the former book

19. August 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

Our scripture text for today is as follows:

Acts 1: 1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 So when they met together, they asked him, “LORD, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

As we discussed on yesterday, the opening of the book begins by acknowledging that there was a book that had been written prior and we identified that book as being Luke.   It is written to Theophilus and the author (Luke) is summarizing what was in the previous book. 

He summarizes up to the point where Jesus gives the command to his apostles to go to Jerusalem and wait for the gift which God had promised to give them upon Jesus’ departure. 

During that conversation, you will notice that the disciples asked Jesus was he at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel.   At this time Israel is still under Roman control.   Jesus came as king of the Jews, but the only example of what a king does is from what they knew of the Old Testament kings.  The role of those kings was to keep Israel from their enemies and to conquer any threats to the kingdom.    Since Jesus is a king they assumed that he would also function in that capacity and get them from under Roman rule.   But we know that Jesus was concerned only about the kingdom of God and establishing it here on earth which was not a political agenda. 

Jesus responded that it was not in his power to give them that answer but gave them a strategic witnessing plane on what areas they were to come.  They would be witnesses in Judea (their hometown first) in Jerusalem (the other surrounding cities), Samaria (the place of their enemies for Jews and Samaritans had no dealings) and then to utter most parts of the world.  All areas were to be covered but with specifics as to not neglect their homeland and their enemies. 

 Luke’s summary takes us to the point where they are to wait for the infilling of the Holy Spirit and this is where the story of Acts begins.

We will continue on tomorrow:

Our Proverbs for the day is: 

Proverbs 17: 5 He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. 6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. 7 Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool– how much worse lying lips to a ruler! 8 A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds. 9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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