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1. The Introduction to the Book and the final Promise of Christ (Acts 1:1-8)
ACTS 1:6-8
6 Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
The disciples had not yet received the Holy Spirit when they came with this earthly, political question to Jesus. They were still thinking of their Jewish patriotism and their position in Jerusalem. They imagined that Christ the King, who had been raised from the dead, would begin reigning from Jerusalem in glory and majesty over all people. The astonishing thing is that Christ in no wise rejected this question, but confirmed that the divine kingdom would come without any doubt. He clarified to His apostles, however, that this heavenly kingdom would not be set up in accordance with human imaginations, and not at the present time.
God has a special plan. He saw the history of the peoples before Him from eternity past, and gave to every tribe and nation both a time for sincere repentance and a time for living faith. He also defined the times and borders of His patience. This definite course of history, however, does not stand before us like a destructive fate or a fearful divine decree, for we are aware that our Father defined the course of recorded time. We know that His love both did and does bring good to the world. Because His love possesses the times, we need fear nothing. Our Father is the Ruler and the true Authority. All acts of revolution and gathering of weapons are ineffective to change the execution of His plan, for His kingdom will not only come spiritually, but also unmistakably, gloriously, and mightily. The authority of God is built upon love and truth, and not on indifference and injustice. He who knows God as his Father rejoices over the future.
Christ erased all political thoughts from His disciples’ minds, and prepared His followers for the visible Promise of the Father. He referred to its fulfillment as “receiving of power.” Have you realized, dear reader, that you are weak, and that you will die like all other men? You, too, are foolish, ugly, wicked and mortal compared to God’s glory, holiness, and wisdom. His power does not descend on natural man. You cannot reform yourself by your own power, for you are weak, like all men, and a slave to sin. The first work of Christ in setting up His hidden kingdom is to give power to His followers. The Greek word for power means, “dynamite.” The power of God explodes our stony hearts, puts in us merciful hearts, and overcomes our hardened minds so that we can think about the things of God. God’s heavenly gift to those who believe in Christ is the same special power with which he created the worlds. This power is apparent and visible in Jesus.
Have you received the power of God, or are you still dead in sin? Do you live in the love of the Father? Can you do all things through Him who saved you? His strength is made perfect in your weakness. Do you know that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much?
The power of God is not a mystery. It is Holy Power Himself, who is from everlasting to everlasting, one of three Persons in one God, who is worthy of our worship and commitment. We worship this divine Spirit with all joy and gratitude, and glorify this light of the Father and of the Son. He has truly indwelt us poor ones, confirmed our salvation in Christ, and opened our inner eyes to the reality of God. He is our heavenly Father. No natural man has this divine essence dwelling instinctively in himself. It comes from outside of our world, and enlightens those who love Christ, filling them with His life, His love, and His peace.
No one can call Christ “Lord” except the one who is guided by the Spirit of truth. He establishes in us true faith. The Spirit of the Son opens our mouths and teaches us to speak in a heavenly language. He encourages us to say: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Have you opened yourself to this good Spirit? Do you know that He is present and is determined to fill you?
The Holy Spirit enabled the otherwise powerless apostles to realize Christ in His divinity. He established faith in them, led them to testify to His truth, and empowered them to humbly do His will. The Holy Spirit makes us witnesses to Christ. It is not necessary for us to bring about our own personal renewal, or to go about glorying in our second birth. We are to point to our Savior and Renewer, confess our corruption before Him, testify of Jesus’ power to forgive our sins, and show to all men that He who was born of the Holy Spirit is the true Son of God. He sanctified us by His blood and empowers us by His Spirit. We are to believe and teach others that the Lord Jesus changes many today by the Spirit of His gospel. He drives out evil spirits from wicked men by His word, and builds His kingdom in broken hearts. It need be mentioned that the Arabic word “shahid” stands for both “witness” and “martyr”. Let us not be surprised if the spirit of this world rises up against us, since it already rose up to crucify our Lord.
The Spirit of God began to rise up in Jerusalem. It ran like fire through Judea, reached Samaria, advanced to Antioch, and spread out over Asia Minor. At the same time, it spread to North Africa, Ethiopia, and Iraq, entered Greece, and conquered the capital city of Rome. Luke, the evangelist, recognized the red-hot course of God´s love, and recorded it in his book. Now the torch of the gospel has been put in your hand, dear believer, and we say to you: “Enlighten your surroundings with the love of the Son of God, for you are the light of the world.” But examine yourself first: Have you received the power of God? Does the Holy Spirit dwell in you? Otherwise, wait for the Promise of the Father, and prayerfully ask for it to be given you. In reading the gospel you will discover the Father´s promise, opened up and displayed before you.
PRAYER: O Father, we worship and love You, for You made us Your children through Your Son’s death. Your glory is realized in us through Your Holy Spirit. Keep us in Your love, for You are our Father. With gratitude we commit ourselves to You, asking You to fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that our surroundings may be enlightened through the name of Christ.
QUESTION:
- Who is the Holy Spirit? What is His design?