Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 3-5

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Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 3-5

Verse 3. ”To whom (the apostles He had chosen) also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs (an infallible proof was a token given of a “sure thing.” Jesus showed “sure thing” evidence that He was truly alive.), being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: (Verse 3 gives an overview of what had happened during the previous forty days. Now the attention will turn to this specific day; the day of Jesus’ ascension; the departure to heaven of the only begotten son of God, God manifest in the flesh.)

Verse 4. "And, being assembled together with (them), commanded (a bit more strident sound to the instruction now. Imagine the commandments mentioned in verse to be something Jesus said as they ambled along the seashore. Now -- it would be sitting in a circle. Jesus making eye contact with each man; His voice more strident. Before you do anything else I've commanded, do this that I'm saying now.) them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait (stay around, don't wander off) for the promise of the Father, (the eternal expression of God) which, (saith he), ye have heard of me. (It is the Father's promise, you heard it from God manifest in flesh - totally man, totally God.)

Verse 5. “For John truly baptized (baptizo – immersed, saturated, totally affected) with water; but ye shall be baptized (same word for baptism. Immersed, saturated, totally affected) with the Holy Ghost (so the Holy Ghost is not the baptizer, instead the Holy Ghost is that in which they were to be baptized -- like John baptized in water.  You will be baptized similarly with the Holy Ghost) not many days hence.”

Jesus Last Command

Where else does Acts or the gospels speak of the promise of the Father?

Key Premise of the paragraph – He had given commandments unto the apostles. Jesus being alive, raised from the dead, is obviously a major and significant miracle.  This resurrection miracle is the crowning glory of the gospel message.

But this was not the most vital thing of these forty days. If presenting and informing of the resurrection had been the primary objective that needed only a day or so. Such a presentation could have been done in a way that got much more attention. Instead, for forty days Jesus put these men in a boot camp. He was preparing them for what lay ahead.

How often we miss the primary goal of the message? In the next paragraph, we find a clear example. Jesus’ apostles wanted to know about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. Even at this late date the apostles were missing the message.

We can read the account of Jesus’ resurrection and the forty days after and miss the true intent of the forty days. 

A fitting question:  are people healed for the sick person’s sake or to demonstrate Jesus’ power and glory?  The resurrection was an explosive event. It was the explosive climax to three days that changed the world. These 40 days were quieter than the resurrection but necessary.

Verse 3 – passion refers to suffering.  The same Greek derivative is translated suffering in 1 Peter 1:11, 4:13 and Colossians 1:24.

To contact Carlton L. Coon Sr. as a speaker, for a guest blog post, or podcast - email carltoncoonsr@gmail.com.

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