Acts 1:6-11 Not When, But What (and Who, and How)

ACTS 1 (ESV) 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” “they” = the Apostles (1:2) “they” = the Apostles (1:2) Different than Luke’s audience Different than Luke’s audience Luke uses this story to teach his audience (and us) about God’s kingdom and their (our) role in it. Luke uses this story to teach his audience (and us) about God’s kingdom and their (our) role in it.

ACTS 1 (ESV) 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” The “restoration” of the kingdom to Israel was a popular but flawed nationalistic expectation. The “restoration” of the kingdom to Israel was a popular but flawed nationalistic expectation.

ACTS 1 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. The question of “when” The question of “when” Not for the apostles (or Luke’s audience, or us) to know when. Not for the apostles (or Luke’s audience, or us) to know when. E.g., Harold Camping E.g., Harold Camping We are always to trust that God is enacting his plan. We are always to trust that God is enacting his plan.

ACTS 1 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.”

The answer to the “what” (and “who” and “where”) questions: 1.The Apostles will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them; 2.they will be Jesus’ witnesses; 3.in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

The answer to the “what” (and “who” and “where”) questions: WHO: The Apostles will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them; WHAT: They will be Jesus’ witnesses; WHERE: in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

1.The Apostles will receive power when Holy Spirit comes upon them. “I believe in the Holy Spirit” ( Apostles’ Creed ) “I believe in the Holy Spirit” ( Apostles’ Creed ) The giving of the Spirit to believers marks the new era of the Church. The giving of the Spirit to believers marks the new era of the Church. The Spirit in believers is associated with power (authority; victory; productivity; etc.), just as in Jesus. The Spirit in believers is associated with power (authority; victory; productivity; etc.), just as in Jesus.

2.They will be Jesus’ witnesses. “Witness” ( marturos ) here is not something we do, but something we are. “Witness” ( marturos ) here is not something we do, but something we are. In Jesus’ absence, his followers will represent him on earth. In Jesus’ absence, his followers will represent him on earth. A consequence of the Spirit in us. A consequence of the Spirit in us. Includes our words, but scope is much greater (e.g., Book of Acts). Includes our words, but scope is much greater (e.g., Book of Acts). Something we must trust in. Something we must trust in.

3.In Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. The geographical outline of the Book of Acts. The geographical outline of the Book of Acts. Witnesses first locally; Witnesses first locally; Then regionally; Then regionally; Then globally. Then globally.

3.In Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. The geographical outline of the mission of Harvest EFC. The geographical outline of the mission of Harvest EFC. Witnesses first in the Tri-Lakes area; Witnesses first in the Tri-Lakes area; Then in Wakpala (etc.); Then in Wakpala (etc.); Then in Zaragoza (etc.). Then in Zaragoza (etc.).

3.In Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Harvest’s Vision Statement: Harvest’s Vision Statement: R EACH R EACH R ESTORE R ESTORE E QUIP E QUIP S END S END

ACTS 1 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.

Daniel 7:13-14 “and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man... And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom” And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom”

Mark 14:61-63 Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need?”

ACTS 1 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.”

What is Jesus is saying to Harvest? Learn to rely more fully on your true source of power, the Holy Spirit. Learn to rely more fully on your true source of power, the Holy Spirit. Recognize that your primary calling as believers is to be witnesses for Jesus, through the Holy Spirit in you. Recognize that your primary calling as believers is to be witnesses for Jesus, through the Holy Spirit in you. Prayerfully consider your spheres of influence and impact – where will you R EACH – R ESTORE – E QUIP – S END ? Prayerfully consider your spheres of influence and impact – where will you R EACH – R ESTORE – E QUIP – S END ?