Persistent Practice After Jesus

Introduction:

Jesus’ apostles have witnessed Jesus’ ascension with their eyes.

He, however, told them to remain in Jerusalem until the promise of the Father is fulfilled.

We will get to see what they do after Jesus leaves.

Biblical Christianity cannot be practiced alone.

One of the terrible outcomes of modern life has been the emphasis on the private.

Personal devotion produces character traits that can only be exhibited among others.

Community building vs. contributing to established communities.

The Apostles Obey

After they witness Jesus’ ascension, there are now a few important matters:

The apostles know for certain Jesus is not among them.

They also know for certain where he has gone.

He instructed them what to do.

Will they recognize his authority, or does his absence mean they will disburse?

Luke explains they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives which was only a short journey from Jerusalem.

Luke quantifies the distance as a “way of the Sabbath” which was approximately 2,000 cubits which equals 1 km or .62 miles.

The main issue, here is that they obeyed what Jesus told them to do.

They returned to the city.

But, they went beyond that.

The Apostles Listed:

Luke reminds his reader of the list of the apostles.

This repeats the list from Lk. 6:14-16 with some variations.

Other than Judas Iscariot, this core group has been with Jesus almost the entire time of his public ministry.

In spite of not always understanding what Jesus taught or what happened to him, they remained together.

They continued following Jesus.

They continue to follow Him now despite the fact that he is no longer with them and that they have no idea when he might return.

The Apostles Persisted:

Notice Luke’s introductory phrase: “All these.”

This is a specific group as well.

The main point, however is to stress something about them.

They were persisting:

The Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament προσκαρτερέω

There are 10 occurrences in the NT, 6 of them in Acts. Under the influence of the simple form → καρτερέω (“be strong / steadfast”), the compound vb. also often has the secondary meaning of decisive or unflinching perseverance. This becomes esp. clear in προσκαρτερέω τῇ προσευχῇ (

The basic meaning can also be to “stay close at hand” or “to attach oneself to something.”

Here, “prayer” is the obvious object.

The Apostles United:

They had a unified mind or purpose.

This is what shared trust in the resurrection and the expectation of the ascension does to believers.

It brings us together.

We are in agreement rather than in dissension with one another.

Jesus said this in John about leaving his peace with this disciples.

There are two basic indications of the faith. They are: prayer, gathering with God’s people.

Genuine faith brings us into relation with others where we practice it together.

Prayer is the primary indicator of a healthy, active faith.

This term could be important on multiple levels.

It was a synonym for synagogue, so it indicates or suggests gathering together. Also, prayer could indicate their anticipation of the return of Jesus.

Finally, at a simple level, it tells what they did together.