The book of Acts, commonly thought to be a sequel to the Gospel of Luke, is a book of many blessings. It's a book that illustrates for us how the church began after the ascension of Jesus. It's a book about the role and ministry of the Holy Spirit. It's a book about church growth. It's a book about witnessing. It's a historical book; it's a theological book; it's a book about attitudes, outlooks, and outcomes.
The book of Acts begins with the outpouring of God's promised Holy Spirit and how that spirit empowered the disciples to spread the message of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. In this book we see a distinctive shift in the outlook of the followers of Jesus. The book begins with a statement of purpose. Clearly the writer wants us to know that this letter continues a previous conversation with a friend or acquaintance. Beginning with the faithful in Jerusalem, the church begins to take shape through the words of the disciples. This book is about what happened during Jesus' earthly ministry, but more importantly this book is about what lies ahead.
Acts is an important foundation upon which the tradition of the church is based -- this book is about the outlook of the disciples and outcome of their obedience to follow Christ's instructions. Careful examination of these first 11 verses of this first chapter reveals some interesting details. First, the passage is written to establish what Jesus taught and did while on earth. Second, the passage is written to establish the relationship between Jesus and the disciples beyond his death and resurrection. Third, this book establishes the on-going relationship between Jesus, his Father, and the Holy Spirit and the church.
So important to the development of this new church is the Holy Spirit that the disciples are instructed to wait until they receive this power before they proceed with their efforts to share the story of Jesus. There is an important key in this text that we must consider before moving on. The ascension of Jesus while generally not given the importance of his crucifixion or resurrection is an important element in the unfolding of God's plan of salvation for humankind. Not only had Jesus been raised from the dead like he said he would be, but now he had returned to instruct the disciples regarding their unfolding mission. Was he not satisfied with what they had already learned? Or was this last class in techniques designed not only to reinforce the basic principles but to teach application.
When I read the book of Acts that is what comes to my mind: application. This is clearly a book about doing what has already been taught. For 40 days Jesus instructed them in the finer points of application of their new mission. Jesus undoubtedly gave pop quizzes regarding the lessons that had already been learned, and then he added a final set of instructions that seemed to signal that his time with them was coming to a close.
"He ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4). What was this gift he was speaking of?
"You have heard me speak about this gift before," Jesus said. "For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now" (1:5).
The disciples' response: "What's next, Lord?"
Jesus' response: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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."
What did these words mean: witnessing, testifying, sharing the gospel? After this Jesus ascended into heaven. Two angelic beings suddenly appeared and informed the disciples that just as they had seen Jesus taken up into heaven, so too would he return again some day.
What did that ascension really mean to the disciples and what does it mean to us? Not only did that ascension bring to an end the period of Jesus' earthly ministry, but it ushers in a new age. Westcott writes: "The changes which Christ revealed by the ascension was not a change of place, but a change of state, not local but spiritual."1
This new age was the age of the Holy Spirit which could not be ushered in until Jesus was fully glorified. Because we know that Jesus has returned to the Father so will we. Many well-meaning Christians have attempted to share their faith without waiting on the power of the Spirit. It's impossible to begin any significant movement for Christ without realizing the relationship of the Trinity to God's unfolding plan of salvation for all humankind. If Jesus had remained on earth his physical presence would have limited the spread of the gospel. The Holy Spirit was sent so that God would be with his followers after Jesus went to heaven.
With all these events occurring no wonder the disciples felt a little bewildered regarding the outcome of the events that were taking place. Jesus' 40-day school of evangelism was necessary to teach and train the disciples for their new role in spreading Christ's message to the world.
First, they needed to know Jesus' death and resurrection was a part of God's plan to bring redemption to the world. Second, that plan would not be fully realized until Jesus ascended into heaven. Can you imagine what their questions to Jesus must have been like? "Wait a minute, teacher; you want us to believe that you and God are one? You want us to believe that God sent you to earth in the form of a human being to live among us? You want us to believe that all the pain and suffering you experienced during your crucifixion was a part of God's plan? You want us to believe that you returned from the dead and you will return to God after this seminar on evangelism? You really want us to believe that God will send us the Holy Spirit who will remain with us when you're gone? You really want us to believe that we are going to receive from the Holy Spirit what we need to take this message to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and beyond? You really want us to believe all of this?"
Jesus' response: "Didn't I tell you that outlook determines outcome? You are eyewitnesses to all the things that have happened since my resurrection.
"There are still people who doubt that these events have occurred. Some are disillusioned because they think that my death was the end. Tell them that the things that I told them regarding my return are true. Not only am I here with you today, but tell them that I will return one day and take them to be with my Father. Tell them that my return will usher in a new relationship between God and his people. This new age of the kingdom of God means the rules have been changed. No longer will people be bound by the old traditions that have held them in bondage. You will be my witnesses to these changing relationships. Tell the people of the things that you now know. But wait, don't go out until you receive the power of the Holy Spirit within you. You must know that this gift from the Father will be present with you and others who believe. Pray and wait for the power. Don't let your thoughts stray from the promise. Remember, your outlook will determine the outcome of this movement. As disciples you must remember that the power of the Holy Spirit is not just some extraordinary feeling. The Holy Spirit involves conviction, courage, boldness, compassion, confidence, insight, ability, authority and vision. If you believe in me you will receive this power -- I promise!"
Jesus' promise included three specific things: 1) the gift of the Holy Spirit, 2) the power to witness, 3) and a commission to use the power to bring men and women into the kingdom.
The outlook of the disciples made a positive difference in the spreading of the gospel. Their outlook was determined by their confidence in Jesus. When we have confidence in Jesus our outlook should be positive, upbeat and focused on the future. That future is guaranteed through the promise of Christ's return. Wait on the power. What can happen if we wait with expectant hearts? We can tell and retell what Christ has already done and know that his love for us remains the same. We can share through example and witness in Christ attitudes that demonstrate our discipleship. We can be witnesses and tell our faith stories so that others will know that God is still at work in the world today. We can tell others that proper outlooks will result in positive outcomes.
Tell them that God's power is given to live life expectantly. A proper outlook involves more than positive thinking; it involves confidence in God's promises, Christ's teaching, and the on-going presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The hymn writer said it best:
"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine,
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood."
What about you, do you have a positive outlook that will lead to a blessed outcome?
1. Westcott. The Revelation Of The Risen Lord, p. 180.