An Insightful Moment at the Ascension (Acts 1:3-11)
As I read this last chapter I marvel at how the Lord has transformed His disciples' fear into courage. How did He do it? For one thing, He came to them. And, not only did Jesus come to them, but He reassured them. He showed them His wounded hands and side and gave them opportunity to discover that it was indeed their Master, and that He was not a phantom.
But the wounds meant more than identification; they also were evidence that the price for salvation had been paid and man indeed could have "peace with God." Now, He lives for us! Even in our fears, we cannot lock Him out!
And, He commissioned them. It was a dedication of His followers to the task of world evangelism. What a tremendous privilege and what a great responsibility! Just think what the men must have thought. What joy must have arose in them when they realized that, in spite of their many failures, their Lord was entrusting them with His Word and His work. They had forsaken Him and fled, but now He was sending them out to represent Him. Peter had denied Him three times; and yet in a few days, Peter would preach the Word and thousands would be saved.
Jesus also enabled them through the Holy Spirit. I always think back to Genesis 2:7 when God breathed life into the first man. The breath (spirit) in the first creation meant physical life, and the breath of Jesus Christ in the new creation meant spiritual life. The believers would receive the baptism of the Spirit at Pentecost and be empowered for ministry. Apart from the filling of the Spirit, they could not go forth to witness effectively. The Spirit had dwelt with them in the Person of Jesus Christ, but now the Spirit would be in them.
As the early believers went forth into the world, they announced the good news of salvation. If sinners would repent and believe on Jesus Christ, their sins would be forgiven them! Only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7). All that you and I can do is announce the message of forgiveness; God performs the miracle of forgiveness.
By now, their fears had vanished. They were sure that the Lord was alive and that He was caring for them. They had a high and holy commission and the power provided to accomplish it. And they had been given the great privilege of bearing the good news of forgiveness to the whole world. All they now had to do was tarry in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit would be given.
Two commandments were given by the Lord before He returned to heaven. The first, the apostolic band was to remain in Jerusalem; and the second, they were to go into the world as witnesses. These instructions might seem to be contradictory but they were to be obeyed sequentially.
In verse three it says He "showed Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs..." or "infallible proofs" in the KJV. This is used only here, the one time, in the New Testament. It's a technical Greek word and looks at demonstrable evidence in contrast with evidence provided by witnesses. In other words, the Resurrection was proven by touch, sight, and feel.
It also mentions in v. three that Christ spoke of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Granted, God has always ruled over the world and especially in Israel. However, a time is coming, commonly called the Millennium, when God will burst into human history in a spectacular way to establish His rule on earth. This is what is meant by the term "kingdom of God." Though this topic was the subject of much of the Lord's teaching and preaching before the Cross, He saw fit to discuss it further during His 40 days of post-resurrection ministry.
In verse 5, the word "baptized", which normally means "dipped or immersed," here has the idea of "uniting with." This to me kind of ties in the whole book of Acts as a transitional book between the Gospels (Israel and the Law) and the Epistles (Church and Grace). It unites believers together.
Moving on to verse 8. Let's look at it because this is the theme verse for all of Acts. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." The "you" mentioned here is the apostles. The word for "power" in the Greek is "dunamis lit., ability...'a God given ability', a miraculous ability. " And the word for "witnesses is a special word which refers to the apostles. This miraculous power was only given to the apostles.
I love to look at verses 9-10 and I think it's because Christ just did not vanish. It wasn't like He was here and then gone. It says, "...He was lifted up [taken up], ...and a cloud received Him." I see four parts to His ascension; 1) visible 2) bodily 3) gradual 4) local spot. History is not haphazard or cyclical; it is moving toward a specific point---the return of Jesus to judge and rule over the earth.
As I think back over this book I am reminded over and over again how gracious our Lord is to stoop to our level of experience in order to lift us where we ought to be. From the Old Testament, I am reminded of Gideon and his 'tests of faith.' And of Thomas in the New Testament...Jesus granted Thomas his request as well. I find no record that Thomas ever accepted the Lord's invitation. When the time came to prove his faith, Thomas needed no more proof! In fact, the Lord's words translate literally, "Stop becoming faithless but become a believer." Jesus saw a dangerous process at work in Thomas' heart, and He wanted to put a stop to it. To me the best commentary on this is Hebrews 3, where God warns against "an evil heart of unbelief" (v.12).
I don't think it is easy to understand the psychology of doubt and unbelief. Bare with me as I continue to touch on Thomas because I believe it will help tie up up our own understanding of what Christ is expecting of us. I read some more in John 20:29 which indicates that Thomas' testimony did not come from his touching Jesus, but from his seeing Jesus.
It is an encouragement to me to know that the Lord had a personal interest in and concern for "Doubting Thomas." I see Christ wanted to strengthen his faith and include him in the blessings that lay in store for His followers. Thomas reminds me that unbelief robs me of blessings and opportunities. It may sound sophisticated and intellectual to question what Jesus did, but such questions are usually evidence of hard hearts, not of searching minds. I see Thomas represents the "scientific approach" to life...and it did not work! After all, when a skeptic says, "I will not believe unless..." he is already admitting that he does believe! He believes in the validity of the test or experiment that he has devised! If he can have faith in his own "scientific," why can he not have faith in what God has revealed?
I need to remind myself that everybody lives by faith. The difference is in the object of that faith. Christians put their faith in God and His Word, while unsaved people put their faith in themselves.
It is not necessary to "see" Jesus Christ in order to believe. Oh yes, it was a blessing for the early Christians to see their Lord and know that He was alive; but that is not what saved them. They were saved, not by seeing, but by believing.
You and I cannot see Christ, nor can we see Him perform the miracles (signs). But the record is there, and that is all that we need. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17; 1 John 5:9-13). As one reads the Gospel of John, for instance, you come face to face with Jesus Christ, how He lived, what He said, and what He did.
The signs that John selected (and Luke etc) are proof of the deity of Christ. They are important. But sinners are not saved by believing in miracles; they are saved by believing on Jesus Christ. Faith in His miracles should lead to faith in his Word, and this leads to personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Jesus Himself pointed out that faith in His works (miracles) was but the first step toward faith in the Word of God (John 5:36-40). The sinner must "hear" the Word if he is to be saved (5:24).
The life and ministry of Jesus were simply too rich and full for any writer, even an inspired one, to give a complete record. But a complete record is not necessary. All of the basic facts are here for us to read and consider. There is sufficient truth for any sinner to believe and be saved! When people trusted Him, their lives were transformed!
Jesus offers sinners abundant life and eternal life; and the only way they can get it is through personal faith in Him. Eternal life is not "endless time," for even lost people are going to live forever in hell. "Eternal life" means the very life of God experienced today. It is a quality of life, not a quantity of time. It is the spiritual experience of "heaven on earth" today. The Christian does not have to die to have this eternal life; he possesses it in Christ today.
The disciples were changed from fear to courage, and Thomas was changed from unbelief to confidence. Now, I'm inviting you, if you do not know Him, to trust Jesus Christ and be changed from death to eternal life.
"He that believes on the Son has everlasting life; and he that believes not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him" (3:36).
As surely as He ascended up into the Heavens He will descend and come again! If we are Christians may we be faithfully sharing Him with the people God brings across our path. There are no coincidences...just blessed God-incidences!
But the wounds meant more than identification; they also were evidence that the price for salvation had been paid and man indeed could have "peace with God." Now, He lives for us! Even in our fears, we cannot lock Him out!
And, He commissioned them. It was a dedication of His followers to the task of world evangelism. What a tremendous privilege and what a great responsibility! Just think what the men must have thought. What joy must have arose in them when they realized that, in spite of their many failures, their Lord was entrusting them with His Word and His work. They had forsaken Him and fled, but now He was sending them out to represent Him. Peter had denied Him three times; and yet in a few days, Peter would preach the Word and thousands would be saved.
Jesus also enabled them through the Holy Spirit. I always think back to Genesis 2:7 when God breathed life into the first man. The breath (spirit) in the first creation meant physical life, and the breath of Jesus Christ in the new creation meant spiritual life. The believers would receive the baptism of the Spirit at Pentecost and be empowered for ministry. Apart from the filling of the Spirit, they could not go forth to witness effectively. The Spirit had dwelt with them in the Person of Jesus Christ, but now the Spirit would be in them.
As the early believers went forth into the world, they announced the good news of salvation. If sinners would repent and believe on Jesus Christ, their sins would be forgiven them! Only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7). All that you and I can do is announce the message of forgiveness; God performs the miracle of forgiveness.
By now, their fears had vanished. They were sure that the Lord was alive and that He was caring for them. They had a high and holy commission and the power provided to accomplish it. And they had been given the great privilege of bearing the good news of forgiveness to the whole world. All they now had to do was tarry in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit would be given.
Two commandments were given by the Lord before He returned to heaven. The first, the apostolic band was to remain in Jerusalem; and the second, they were to go into the world as witnesses. These instructions might seem to be contradictory but they were to be obeyed sequentially.
In verse three it says He "showed Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs..." or "infallible proofs" in the KJV. This is used only here, the one time, in the New Testament. It's a technical Greek word and looks at demonstrable evidence in contrast with evidence provided by witnesses. In other words, the Resurrection was proven by touch, sight, and feel.
It also mentions in v. three that Christ spoke of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Granted, God has always ruled over the world and especially in Israel. However, a time is coming, commonly called the Millennium, when God will burst into human history in a spectacular way to establish His rule on earth. This is what is meant by the term "kingdom of God." Though this topic was the subject of much of the Lord's teaching and preaching before the Cross, He saw fit to discuss it further during His 40 days of post-resurrection ministry.
In verse 5, the word "baptized", which normally means "dipped or immersed," here has the idea of "uniting with." This to me kind of ties in the whole book of Acts as a transitional book between the Gospels (Israel and the Law) and the Epistles (Church and Grace). It unites believers together.
Moving on to verse 8. Let's look at it because this is the theme verse for all of Acts. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." The "you" mentioned here is the apostles. The word for "power" in the Greek is "dunamis lit., ability...'a God given ability', a miraculous ability. " And the word for "witnesses is a special word which refers to the apostles. This miraculous power was only given to the apostles.
I love to look at verses 9-10 and I think it's because Christ just did not vanish. It wasn't like He was here and then gone. It says, "...He was lifted up [taken up], ...and a cloud received Him." I see four parts to His ascension; 1) visible 2) bodily 3) gradual 4) local spot. History is not haphazard or cyclical; it is moving toward a specific point---the return of Jesus to judge and rule over the earth.
As I think back over this book I am reminded over and over again how gracious our Lord is to stoop to our level of experience in order to lift us where we ought to be. From the Old Testament, I am reminded of Gideon and his 'tests of faith.' And of Thomas in the New Testament...Jesus granted Thomas his request as well. I find no record that Thomas ever accepted the Lord's invitation. When the time came to prove his faith, Thomas needed no more proof! In fact, the Lord's words translate literally, "Stop becoming faithless but become a believer." Jesus saw a dangerous process at work in Thomas' heart, and He wanted to put a stop to it. To me the best commentary on this is Hebrews 3, where God warns against "an evil heart of unbelief" (v.12).
I don't think it is easy to understand the psychology of doubt and unbelief. Bare with me as I continue to touch on Thomas because I believe it will help tie up up our own understanding of what Christ is expecting of us. I read some more in John 20:29 which indicates that Thomas' testimony did not come from his touching Jesus, but from his seeing Jesus.
It is an encouragement to me to know that the Lord had a personal interest in and concern for "Doubting Thomas." I see Christ wanted to strengthen his faith and include him in the blessings that lay in store for His followers. Thomas reminds me that unbelief robs me of blessings and opportunities. It may sound sophisticated and intellectual to question what Jesus did, but such questions are usually evidence of hard hearts, not of searching minds. I see Thomas represents the "scientific approach" to life...and it did not work! After all, when a skeptic says, "I will not believe unless..." he is already admitting that he does believe! He believes in the validity of the test or experiment that he has devised! If he can have faith in his own "scientific," why can he not have faith in what God has revealed?
I need to remind myself that everybody lives by faith. The difference is in the object of that faith. Christians put their faith in God and His Word, while unsaved people put their faith in themselves.
It is not necessary to "see" Jesus Christ in order to believe. Oh yes, it was a blessing for the early Christians to see their Lord and know that He was alive; but that is not what saved them. They were saved, not by seeing, but by believing.
You and I cannot see Christ, nor can we see Him perform the miracles (signs). But the record is there, and that is all that we need. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17; 1 John 5:9-13). As one reads the Gospel of John, for instance, you come face to face with Jesus Christ, how He lived, what He said, and what He did.
The signs that John selected (and Luke etc) are proof of the deity of Christ. They are important. But sinners are not saved by believing in miracles; they are saved by believing on Jesus Christ. Faith in His miracles should lead to faith in his Word, and this leads to personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Jesus Himself pointed out that faith in His works (miracles) was but the first step toward faith in the Word of God (John 5:36-40). The sinner must "hear" the Word if he is to be saved (5:24).
The life and ministry of Jesus were simply too rich and full for any writer, even an inspired one, to give a complete record. But a complete record is not necessary. All of the basic facts are here for us to read and consider. There is sufficient truth for any sinner to believe and be saved! When people trusted Him, their lives were transformed!
Jesus offers sinners abundant life and eternal life; and the only way they can get it is through personal faith in Him. Eternal life is not "endless time," for even lost people are going to live forever in hell. "Eternal life" means the very life of God experienced today. It is a quality of life, not a quantity of time. It is the spiritual experience of "heaven on earth" today. The Christian does not have to die to have this eternal life; he possesses it in Christ today.
The disciples were changed from fear to courage, and Thomas was changed from unbelief to confidence. Now, I'm inviting you, if you do not know Him, to trust Jesus Christ and be changed from death to eternal life.
"He that believes on the Son has everlasting life; and he that believes not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him" (3:36).
As surely as He ascended up into the Heavens He will descend and come again! If we are Christians may we be faithfully sharing Him with the people God brings across our path. There are no coincidences...just blessed God-incidences!
posted by Pilot Mom at
12:07 AM
2 Comments:
great post, as always... :)
By
dangermama, at 9:44 AM
So much to ingest...might be a few days before all my questions come out on this one. Beautifully done, Claire!
By
HeyJules, at 10:38 AM
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