The Promise of the Church

Introduction

The Book of Acts is the Holy Spirit inspired blueprint for the Church. We see the directives of Jesus to carry on the work He has started. It was a blueprint then, and it is still a blueprint today. If you wanted to summarize the entire Book of Acts in one verse, it would be Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 NIV84

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

However, to fully understand that verse, we must see it in the context of the entire chapter one, setting the stage for our journey through this great book.

The Purpose of the Church (vs. 1-7)

The purpose of the church is described in the first seven verses.

Acts 1:1–7 NIV84

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

Notice the purpose of the connection that Luke does for us.

A Connection

Theophilus is mentioned here and in the beginning of the Gospel of Luke. He is only mentioned in the Bible in Acts 1:1 and in Luke 1:4 where he is addressed as “Most excellent Theophilus,” which was the customary addressing of Roman officials. We don’t know for sure, but we can see that the Book of Acts is part 2 of a series that Luke wrote to teach and guide Theophilus and many others like us. By the way, Theophilus means “friend of God” or “dear to God.” Luke wanted him to have a reliable account of the beginnings of Christianity. History tells us that book dedication was common among the Greeks. We are fortunate to have this personal account for us to study today.

Luke makes a connection with his gospel and the next stage in the story. He emphasizes the ministry of Jesus and the beginning of the church. The Gospel of Luke tells what Jesus did and what He taught. Acts shows how His teachings are carried out by those who were witnesses of Jesus.

The connection provides for us the details and evidence of the Risen Savior. The resurrected Jesus appeared to them consistently over a period of 40 days, giving convincing proof that He was alive.

A Command

Luke hammers this point home be share with us the command that Jesus gives His apostles. He describes it at a time when they were eating. If we tie this incident with the Gospels, we might see more detail in John 21:9-14

John 21:9–14 NIV84

9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

The command was to stay in Jerusalem and to wait. How would you have done with that command? I have a hard time staying and waiting. Jesus connected them to His teachings about the promised gift. Of course we know the gift is referring to the Holy Spirit. It is the same which was referred in the ancient Scriptures,

Isaiah 32:15 NIV84

15 till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest.

and Joel 2:28-32

Joel 2:28–32 NIV84

28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. 30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. 32 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls.

We will see its arrival a bit further in our study in Acts 2:33 and in Acts 2:38. The disciples had heard this many times, but perhaps the most recent was recorded in Luke 24:49

Luke 24:49 NIV84

49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Other scriptures that support this are found in Matthew 10:20; Luke 12:12; and John 14-16.

The disciples went to Galilee upon the command of the Risen Lord, but the Spirit was to be received in Jerusalem. Interestingly, the place where Jesus had been rejected would be the place where the fresh witness would begin.

As with many things when the apostles heard the command, they had a concern.

A Concern

They wanted to know about if He was going to restore the kingdom of Israel at this time. They were still thinking of a military upheaval. Jesus quickly reminds them in so many words that the plan for the church is not to be a military rule, but an ongoing realm of influence until the end of the age, when the Father carries out His perfect timing. God’s formula was to be the apostles empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is shown as the priority of the church.

The Priority of the Church (vs. 8-11)

Acts 1:8–11 NIV84

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

The Edict

Notice the edict that is given in verse 8. Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 NIV84

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

It began right where they were and will have a ripple effect throughout the world! There is much we can learn from this!

The Exit

Notice the exit. Jesus is taken up and hid by a cloud. We see this shown in other places in scripture

1 Timothy 3:16 (NIV84)

16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:

He appeared in a body,

was vindicated by the Spirit,

was seen by angels,

was preached among the nations,

was believed on in the world,

was taken up in glory.

1 Peter 3:22 NIV84

22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

With the exit however, comes an entrance.

The Entrance

The entrance that takes place is a visit from two men dressed in white. They declare, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken from you will come back in the same way.” What a promise!

The Effect

The effect of this promise and ascension reminds us that Jesus is coming again! We have victory, hope and the assurance of His word!

The purpose of the church was and is to carry our the work of Jesus.

The priority of the church was to do so with the help of the promised Holy Spirit. These both were directed by the prayers of the church.

The Prayers of the Church (vs. 12-20)

Acts 1:12–20 NIV84

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus— 17 he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” 18 (With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the book of Psalms, “ ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “ ‘May another take his place of leadership.’

Notice what happens as a result when the church prays.

Resulted in Unity

“They all joined together in prayer.”

Resulted in Discernment of God’s Will

They realized that they needed to pick someone to replace Judas.

Resulted in an Outpouring of Divine Power

We see Peter standing among them declaring the word and will of the Lord.

Resulted in Growth

We see that numbers are already beginning to be important. In parentheses we see that the group was numbering about 120. It is important to note that Jewish law required 120 minimum to establish a community with its own council. This began the process of the practice of the church.

The Practice of the Church (vs. 21-26)

Acts 1:21–26 NIV84

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” 23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Four things stand out here as we see this passage:

Processes for Leadership

Matthias was chosen.

Personal Time with Jesus

The emphasis was to choose someone that had seen the resurrection of Jesus.

Praying for God to Reveal

They prayed for God to reveal His way.

Pursuing God’s Plan

Then they pursued God’s plan!