Not My Usual Clean and Somewhat Classy Blog…
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.”
Tarrying at a Promise
Wait for the promise – tarry at a promise till God meets you there. God always returns by way of His promises. The promises of God are the molds into which we should pour our prayers. Praying the Word of God can come from this thought.
Obviously, the disciples alone were inadequate for the task of world evangelism. Peter had denied his Lord; the other members of the small band had deserted. Judged by the scholastic standards of the world, the disciples were poorly educated. This dozen men would not present a threat to Rome, the Sanhedrin court, Jewish tradition, the law of Moses or to any man or movement.
If Peter could be demoralized by the words of a tantalizing maiden at the fire, he could hardly be expected to stand before thousands of furious men. Luke stressed the fact that these weak, helpless, and almost useless disciples who in spite of following Jesus for three years, really did not understand His priorities to be the establishing of a different sort of kingdom were told to go into Jerusalem and remain there . . . until! Something had to happen in Jerusalem.
Luke wrote this manuscript, we have named the Acts of the Apostles, over 40 years after the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost. Forty years gives perspective; time proves all things. Forty years after the fact Luke could compare the ministry and message of John the Baptist with the ministry and message of those who evangelized the world.
- John did no mighty works: that is, he performed no miracles, and yet all that he spoke of Jesus was true. (John 10:41).
- As a contrast to John’s firebrand ministry, the disciples not only talked about Jesus they also participated in the supernatural. People were healed and demons were cast out.
The main difference between John and the book of Acts disciples was that the disciples had experienced a personal Pentecost – they had been filled with the Holy Ghost. Empowered by the Holy Ghost, the disciples could exclaim, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
God’s Indispensable Essential for Impact – The disciples had seen Jesus do miracles; they could tell of them. They had heard him teach and preach – they could rehearse His message to hearers. None of these would impact. The Holy Ghost was the indispensable essential. It still is.
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