Good morning,
Christ died to pay the sin debt for all mankind. He was buried in a rich man’s tomb. He arose the third day.
So, what happens next? Christ ascending back to heaven, waiting in the upper room, the replacement of Judas as an apostle, the 120 are filled with the Holy Ghost, and the 120 preaching and every one hears them in their own language.
We will explore each of these this week.
Ascension of Jesus (Luke 24:49-53, Acts 1:1-12)
“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.” (Luke 24:49-53)
“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.” (Acts 1:1-12)
Jesus has died, been buried, has resurrected, and has been seen by the disciples and over 500 hundred people.
What happens next? During the forty days, Jesus has been preparing his disciples for what comes next. First, Jesus tells them not to leave Jerusalem. He tells them to wait for the promise of the Father. What promise? The baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Second, He answers the question of the disciples concerning the restoration of the kingdom of Israel. “…It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” (1:7)
Third, He explains by what power their lives are to be changed. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (1:8) These were the disciples who were questioning, unbelieving, impertinent, rebellious, and struggling to determine who Jesus is and why He came. The Holy Spirit would completely change their lives.
Fourth, He ascends back to heaven. They return to Jerusalem.
Jesus never leaves us alone. He knew He was leaving and made sure His disciples were equipped to carry out His instructions.
He has done the same and more for us. He has given us the Bible as our instruction manual on how to live the Christian life. The same Holy Spirit promised to the disciples, is each believers from the time they receive Christ. We too have the Holy Spirit power to turn our world upside down for Christ.
The question is, Will we appropriate that power and tell others about Jesus?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskasenior.com
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