Acts 1:1–8 (CSB)
"I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach [2] until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. [3] After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. [4] While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father's promise. 'Which,' he said, 'you have heard me speak about; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.' [6] So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?' [7] He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'"
1 Corinthians 12:3 (CSB)
"Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus is cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit."
The Mission and Power
How many of us have balked when it came to telling someone about Jesus? We found ourselves without the right words. Perhaps fear or uncertainty stilled our tongues. We know Jesus has done so much in our lives, yet we often wonder how we can possibly serve Him. We ask ourselves: What small ministry can I do? Should I help clean the church? Can I be involved with a food drive or the kitchen? Am I expected to work and use a portion of my blessings to help the poor? How can I overcome my fears and tell others about Jesus? In our daily walk, there can be confusion. On the outside, looking in, the world often asks: What is Christianity? These are some of the questions answered in the Book of Acts.
The Book of Acts was written for the “most excellent Theophilus.” Because of this high title, many believe Theophilus was a high-ranking Roman official who acted as a wealthy patron, funding the recording of the events of the early church.
Historically, we hold the view that Luke—the “beloved physician”—wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts to explain Christianity more fully to this Roman official. He addresses Theophilus in Luke 1:3 and again here in these opening verses, linking the two books together as a single, continuous history.
While Luke does not name himself in the text, he begins using the word “we” later in the book, implying he was personally present during the missionary journeys that spread the Gospel to the world. Early Church fathers like Clement of Alexandria, who lived close to the time of the Apostles, support the fact that Luke is indeed our author.
As we move from the four Gospels into Acts, we see the growth of the Church after Jesus ascended into Heaven. In these first eight verses, the disciples had a question answered, were promised a gift, and were given a mission.
The Question: “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”
The Gift: “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”
The Mission: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The disciples understood that Old Testament prophecies, such as Isaiah 2:2, pointed toward the restoration of a physical Israel—a time when the Jewish nation would again hold a seat of global power. Today, some Bible scholars believe this will occur during the end times, while others believe the promise has been fulfilled spiritually through the Church. Whatever the timing, Jesus does not offer a rebuke; instead, He explains that no one knows the dates or periods of this fulfillment except the Father. We have the promise, however, that Jesus will return to gather His followers, both the living and the dead.
Now we look at the promise and the gift. Without Jesus to guide them, the early disciples would have been like driftwood on a vast ocean. But Jesus was not leaving His followers as orphans. Their prayers would be answered in His name, and Jesus would intercede to the Father for them—but there was even more. In a few days, they would receive a gift that all believers receive, including us today. This is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is not a “force.” Not an “it”, but a Person—the third member of the Trinity. The Spirit came to be with the disciples during the early expansion of the Church, giving early believers the power to perform miracles reminiscent of Jesus’ own works and giving them the ability to speak with boldness. With this Comforter—the Spirit of Truth—early believers were empowered to fulfill their mission. They didn’t just tell their neighbors about Jesus; they spread the Gospel of salvation to the entire world. The light of Jesus reached all the way to the seat of Roman power before the first generation of Christians passed into history to meet the Lord.
Reflection Questions
- When I feel “tongue-tied” about my faith, am I relying on my own words or asking the Holy Spirit for His power?
- Jesus told the disciples to “wait” for the promise. Is there an area in my life where I am trying to move forward without waiting for God’s timing or power?
- The mission started in Jerusalem (home) and moved to the ends of the earth. Who is the “Jerusalem” in my life—the person closest to me who needs to hear about Jesus?
Prayer
Father,
Thank You for the Book of Acts and the reminder that You never leave us to wander like driftwood. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who lives within us and gives us the power to be Your witnesses. Lord, forgive us for the times we have balked or stayed silent out of fear. Help us to see the ministries You have placed right in front of us, whether it is serving in the kitchen, helping the poor, or simply speaking Your name to a friend. We thank You that Jesus is Lord, a truth we can only know through Your Spirit. May we walk boldly today, knowing we are part of the mission that started in Jerusalem and continues through us.
Amen.
