Scripture; Acts 1:6-11

What key questions and unusual observations did you note as you read the passage? 

 

What was the disciple’s perspective at this climactic moment?  How did Jesus answer them?

What was Jesus’ focus? 

What does it mean to be Jesus witnesses?

How does the Ascension complete the incarnation?

What motivation does the promise of the Angels give us?

What are their implications for understanding the passage?

What was the disciple’s perspective at this climactic moment?  How did Jesus answer them?

Despite teachings of Jesus such as,” my kingdom is not of this world (Jn. 18:36)” and “the kingdom of God is within you (Lk. 17:21),” the disciples were obviously still looking for a renewed national kingdom with Jesus as its head.   Jesus reply indicates that looking for the time of his kingship is not without point, but should not be focused on this age, but on a time in the future, a time which only God knows when he will return (Mt. 24:36; 1 Ti. 6:14,15).  

What was Jesus’ focus? 

Jesus focus was on what needed to be done before he could return to earth, the spreading of the good news of what he had done, and what humankind could receive through his name (Mt. 24:14; Mt. 28:19).   Acts 1:8 is very specific in pointing out where the disciples will be witnesses to Jesus; Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.   Note the ever-expanding circle of influence.

What does it mean to be Jesus witnesses?

Luke has used a keyword already in this chapter that gives us insight about what it may mean to be witnesses. In verse three he talks about “convincing proofs.”    The Greek word (tekmeeriois) means a convincing proof or a compelling sign.  Luke says that Jesus gave several of them by showing himself to these men and women. He is referring to the appearances of Jesus that we have been studying.  To be a witness then, first of all, was to tell others of these convincing proofs that he was alive.  

However one cannot get away from the sense that to be a witness to Jesus is also to participate in completing the work that he has sent us to do (Jn. 21:21).  This involves being agents of reconciliation and forgiveness.   It also includes ministries related to bringing freedom, recovery, and release (Lk. 4:18).

How does the Ascension complete the incarnation?

In the incarnation Jesus became one of us; he took on frail human nature.   In the ascension, he entered back into heaven with that human nature a part of who he was.   It is now part of the perfection that allows him to be our high priest and intercessor (Hb. 5:8-10; 10:19-23).

The Ascension is also important as a testimony to the type of resurrection that Jesus experienced. It answers the question as to whether Jesus was simply resuscitated as was Lazarus, or whether he had an entirely new type of body.   The Ascension shows that he was not subject to death but had a new type of body.

Since the resurrected body of Jesus is the best hint we have as to what our resurrected bodies might be like, the ascension of Jesus is also an encouragement to us. It assures us in one more way of the wonderful possibility that our resurrected bodies will be fit for heaven.

What motivation does the promise of the Angels give us?

When reminded Jesus will soon return, it motivates us to do the work that he’s given us to do; to be his witnesses.   We are filled with a sense of expectation and joy (Titus 2:12,13).

What is the role/significance of this event/passage in the Gospel story?

Some have seen in Acts 1:8 an outline for the book of Acts.   Chapters 1 through seven are about events in Jerusalem; chapters 8 through 12 are about events in Judea and Samaria; and the rest of the book chronicles the outreach into the wider world.  Certainly the commission of this verse gives us the task at which the disciples are engaged for the entire book of Acts.

Passage also sets the stage for the entry of the Holy Spirit upon the Church at Pentecost. For the power to be Christ’s witnesses came at Pentecost. Jesus idea was that upon his ascension, the stage would be set for the disciples to wait in expectation for the coming of the Holy Spirit, who would be their source of spiritual power for the task he had given them to do.

What inspirational “take home” impressed me?

Acts 1:8 is a personal spiritual challenge each one of us.   We need to remember our own need of the Holy Spirit’s presence to successfully be Christ’s witnesses.  If we simply try on our own to disseminate information, we will ultimately fail.   If we simply try to do good works, we will be ineffective. Only as we are filled with the Holy Spirit, will we be spiritually powerful.

Finally, the urgency of the challenge of the great commission coupled with the reminder that Jesus will indeed return lends urgency to the work that God has given us to do. As one person in our Bible study put it, we just need to get busy!