Journey Through Acts Lesson 2

The Book of Acts Chapter 1:1-11

Lesson 2

1. Jesus’ Ministry on Earth (1:1–5)

a. Introduction

i. “In my first book”

ii. Luke 1:3–4 (NLT) — 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.

iii. The book of Acts could well be called.

1. The acts (works and teachings) of believers

2. The acts (works and teachings) of Christ

3. The acts (works and teachings) of the Holy Spirit

iv. The book of Acts is the continuing ministry of Jesus Christ.

v. Verse 1-5 is a summation of Christ’s earthly life.

b. Theophilus (1:1)

i. Who is Theophilus?

ii. Theophilus is called “most excellent Theophilus”.

iii. Theophilus was a personal friend of Luke.

c. Jesus Christ, Ministry (1:1-2)

i. Truth:Christ worked and taught until He was “taken up,” that is, until He ascended back into heaven.

1. Application: The believer is to use his gifts for God until he enters heaven. There is no retirement from seeking to reach a world sunk so desperately in need.

ii. Truth:Christ worked and taught “through the Holy Spirit.”

1. Application: If Christ was so dependent upon the Spirit of God, how much more are we!

iii. Truth:Christ gave and taught His commandments to those whom He had chosen, His apostles.

1. Application: Note a critical fact: every believer is the chosen servant of God to carry on the mission of Christ.

d. Jesus Christ, Resurrection (1:3)

i. The death and resurrection were the climax of Jesus’ ministry.

1. 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT) — 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

ii. By arising from the dead, He conquered death for man and now makes available a new life of power for the believer.

1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) — 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

e. Kingdom of God (1:3)

i. Jesus’ ministry on earth was to proclaim the great hope of man, the promise of the Kingdom of God.

1. See supplement.

ii. Man’s only hope for survival is the Kingdom of God.

f. Holy Spirit (1:4-5)

i. Jesus’ ministry on earth was to proclaim the great promise to believers, the promise of the Holy Spirit.

ii. Christ knew that man needed a supernatural power, the power of God Himself.

iii. They are to “wait for the promise of the Father.

iv. The idea is that the gift of the Holy Spirit is the supreme gift of God to the believer.

v. Matthew 3:11 (NLT) — 11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

vi. The believer must wait in prayer to receive the Holy Spirit.

vii. Waiting on God is one of the hardest things.

viii. Ephesians 5:18 (NLT) — 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

2. Jesus’ Last Day on Earth. (1:6–11)

a. Introduction

i. Scene 1: Jesus promised the kingdom (v. 6–7).

ii. Scene 2: Jesus assigned the believer’s great task, the great commission (v. 8).

iii. Scene 3: Jesus ascended before the disciples’ very eyes (v. 9).

iv. Scene 4: the prophecy of Jesus’ return was given by two messengers or angels (white apparel) (v. 10–11).

b. Believers, Duty (1:6–7)

i. “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

ii. The disciples were earthly minded.

iii. Christ is going to set up His kingdom on earth.

iv. There is a future aspect to His kingdom as well as a present rule and reign in human hearts.

1. Application: What believers are to do is to look for Jesus’ return and long for heaven.

c. Witnessing—Great Commission—Holy Spirit—Power (1:8)

i. Scene 2: Jesus assigned the believer’s great task, the great commission.

1. The believer’s equipping power was to be the Holy Spirit.

2. The believer’s task is a great one: to tell people about the Savior.

3. The believer’s method: Jesus gives the method that the believer is to follow in his witness and for the spread of the gospel.

ii. The Great Commission

iii. Acts 1:8 (NLT) — 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

iv. These Jesus’ last words to His disciples.

d. Jesus Christ, Ascension (1:9)

i. Scene 3: Jesus ascended before the disciples’ very eyes.

ii. Acts 1:9 (NLT) — 9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him.

iii. Can you imagine what this would have been like?

e. Jesus Christ, Ascension; Exaltation; Return (1:10–11)

i. Scene 4: There was the prophecy of Jesus’ return.

1. Acts 1:10–11 (NLT) — 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

ii. This “same Jesus” shall return just as He left.

1. Revelation 1:7 (NLT) — 7 Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him.

iii. This “same Jesus” is the One who will come back.

1. Matthew 16:27 (NLT) — 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

iv. This “same Jesus” who will return is the One who ascended into heaven.

1. The Jesus in heaven is the same Jesus the disciples knew

2. John 14:2–3 (NKJV) — 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Pray this prayer: Jesus come quickly!