To the Ends of the Earth

Acts 1:1-11

Key Verse 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.

We are at the start not just of a new year but of a new decade, the year 2010. How can we live a powerful new life in the New Year? It comes from serving Christ’s world mission purpose as we shall see in this passage.

Part I: Eyewitnesses of the Resurrection (vs. 1-3)

1. Read verses 1-2. 

ANSWER:

Act 1:1-2  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.

Who is Theophilus? 

ANSWER:

Possibly, Theophilus was literally a man of high standing as is suggested by the title “most excellent” given him in Luk 1:3, “…it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus…” According to some (unsubstantiated) traditions, Theophilus was actually Luke's master.

Possibly, Theophilus is really meant to represent those who love God. The word Theophilus is a concatenation of two Greek words, Theos {theh'-os} which means God, and Philos {fee'-los} which means friend or lover. Thus, the book is written for and addressed to those who love God.

What is the content of Luke’s former book?

ANSWER:

Luke’s Gospel is the former book. That book contains “all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven” (v. 1).

The words "began to do and to teach" imply that Jesus' work continues in the book of Acts through his Apostles and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Luk 24:46-53 overlaps Acts 1:1-11. 

2. Read verses 2-3. 

ANSWER:

Act 1:2-3  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.

What is an apostle? 

ANSWER:

Joh 13:20  I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."

Act 10:41-42  He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen -- by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.  42  He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

He is an ambassador, delegate, or messenger sent by order of the one he represents. Specifically, this refers to a person sent by Jesus directly. 

Just as the authority of an Old Testament prophet or leader involved having received an appearance from God, so an essential requirement for apostleship in the New Testament is having received an appearance from the risen Christ.

The disciples were apostles because they were the ones chosen by Jesus to go out and proclaim the good news of what Jesus has done by dying and rising from the dead.

After rising from the dead, how did Jesus prepare his apostles for their mission?

ANSWER:

Jesus “showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive” (v3). Their mission as apostles was to proclaim the good news of what Jesus accomplished by his death and resurrection. But their proclamation had to rest on proofs (facts) which they themselves were convinced of. So, he furnished them with proofs that he was alive repeatedly over a period of forty days and thereby established them as eyewitnesses of his resurrection whose testimony, in turn, furnishes us with abundant cause to believe God’s word. We believe in the resurrection of Jesus because of the Holy Spirit’s witness to us through God’s word (Jn 6:63; 1Th 1:4) and because of the apostle’s testimony.

What specific proofs did he give? He conversed with them face to face. He showed them his wounds in his hands and side (Joh 20:20). He let them touch him (Mat 28:9; Luk 24:39; Joh 20:27). He ate food in front of them (v 4, Luk 24:43; Joh 21:12-13). He appeared to more than 500 at the same time (1Co 15:6).

Over those 40 days there were at least 11 resurrection appearances:
To the women (Mat 28:9),  to Mary Magdalene (Jn 20:14), on the road to Emmaus (Luk 24:15), to Peter (Luk 24:34), to the apostles (Jn 20:19; Luk 24:36), to the apostles again (Jn 20:26), by the lake (Jn 21:4), on the mountain (Mat 28:19), to the 500 (1Co 15:6), to James (1Co 15:7), to the apostles (Acts 1:4), and at the Ascension (Acts 1:6-11).
At least 7 of these appearances were to the disciples. 

He “spoke about the kingdom of God” (v3). This term “kingdom of God” is a summation of all the benefits Jesus secured for us by his death and resurrection. He purchased for us the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and eternal life. More than that, he purchased life to the full.

The apostles were not sent to improve the kingdom of men. Jesus impressed upon them the greatness of the kingdom of God for which he suffered to give them. (More on this later in question 4.)

The apostles were not sent to preach theories but realities of which they themselves experienced. Jesus worked on them that they might taste in their hearts the benefits of what he secured and have God ruling their hearts and lives rather than sin (Col 2:11-12, Php 3:3).

He spoke about the kingdom of God, instructing them “through the Holy Spirit” (v 1) whom he was filled with and whom he had breathed into them so that their minds would be opened to understand what he saying.

3. Read verses 4-5. 

ANSWER:

Act 1:4-5  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."

Why did Jesus command his apostles to wait? 

ANSWER:

Jesus told them in Mat 28:19 to “go” but here he says “wait”. Why? That they may receive empowerment to go and do their apostolic work.

This was to show that their apostolic mission was not going to be carried out by human zeal and ability. Rather, it was going to be a display of God’s awesome power for his glory alone. 

They should wait for God’s time, for that time will be the perfect one in which to launch the gospel proclamation.

It is no coincidence that Jesus chose the day of Pentecost to pour out upon them the gift of the Spirit. The Pentecost takes place in late May, the beginning of summer, the ideal time for people to travel by ship across the Mediterranean so that Jews from far away places in the Roman Empire could attend. Hundreds of thousands of people filled Jerusalem and the temple area. So this was the ideal time to do the harvesting.

They should wait in the place appointed, in Jerusalem, for this was be the perfect place to proclaim the gospel, the very place where these things happened among the guilty sinners who participated in murdering the Savior.

That the gospel should be proclaimed beginning in Jerusalem fulfilled Isa 2:3, “The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

Why did they need the Holy Spirit?

ANSWER:

Luk 24:49  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.

Mar 16:20  Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Act 14:3  So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.

Not for salvation but for power. On the evening of that Sunday in which Jesus rose from the dead, he gave them the Spirit. Joh 20:22 reads, “And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.” The baptism at Pentecost was, therefore, a filling of that which they already had in a lesser measure. It was a baptism of power for mission, not salvation. (The baptism in Eph 4:5 is commonly thought to refer to that which Christ instituted in Mat 28:19).

Why did they need power for mission?

To provide them with boldness and resurrection faith. The disciples were now on their own and no longer had the physical presence of their master whom they had depended on. They were paralyzed by the fear of death. They had deserted him at Gethsemane (Mat 26:56b). They had been afraid of showing themselves publicly and had locked themselves indoors (Joh 20:19, 26). Great courage was needed for them to stand up and preach to crowds of people who participated a little more than a month ago in crucifying their master. Even more courage was required to preach that these people were guilty of murder, thereby risking that they might be offended and become hostile. Peter said in Acts 2:23 “…you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.”

To make them the instrument and mouthpiece of God through which he could speak his mighty word to people (Mat 10:20; 2Pe 1:20; Isa 55:11). The Spirit of God would fill their hearts and mouths with the depths of understanding and wisdom concerning God’s salvation and with the praise of God and with the fire of passion to save guilty sinners. He would give them powerful words that would cut to the hearts of their audience (Acs 2:37; Joh 16:8; Heb 4:12) that they might repent and be saved.

To enable them to perform signs and wonders to authenticate the Gospel message which they preached so that men might believe and be saved. The gospel which we proclaim is authenticated by the miracle of our changed life (more on this later).

Part II: To the Ends of the Earth (vs. 4-8)

4. Read verses 6-8. 

ANSWER:

Act 1:6-8  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.  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."

What two things did the disciples ask about? 

ANSWER:

They asked: 1) if he will “restore the kingdom to Israel”; and 2) if he will do it “at this time”.

Evidently, the disciples read into what Jesus had said in verse 5 about what would happen “in a few days” and jumped to the conclusion that he was about to establish a temporal kingship over Israel. Their old hope was revived that he would restore their nation to the glory, power and prosperity it had in the times of David, overthrowing Rome and regaining its dominion over the surrounding Gentile nations. 

How were their concerns not in line with Jesus’ concern?

ANSWER: 

Jesus’ concern was for all nations to be reached with the message of the kingdom of God and to overthrow the dominion of Satan in the hearts of men through that message and establish his dominion and thereby save men. The disciples’ concern, however, was for the outward, earthly benefit of their own nation. Jesus said that they should leave that matter in the hands of God so they would rather focus on working on the Lord's world mission concern.

In America we have a lot of domestic problems such as restoring the national status, dollar value, economy, or job situation. And political leaders never cease talking about them. In our ministry as well it is so easy to get wrapped up by our own concerns in the ministry such as doubling up in number and establishing disciples who obey everything Jesus commanded. But we should not lose focus on the Lord's world mission concern.

Jesus told them that times and dates are a secret known only by the Father who has already set them. These matters should not absorb their thoughts so as to distract them from proper attention to the task that was before them which was of supreme importance, proclaiming the message of the kingdom. He did not say that their hope was in error and would not be fulfilled. Rather, he redirected their focus.

The information about the time and date of Jesus’ return is not for us to know. So, we ought to be very skeptical toward calculations about the time of Jesus return, even if they are based on what the Bible says. Nobody knows about that time and date (Mat 24:36).

5. Look at verse 8 again.

ANSWER:

Act 1:8  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."

Note: The words “to the ends of the earth” are a fulfillment of Isa 49:6 which reads, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” This is affirmed by Acts 13:47, “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "`I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"”

To whom was this spoken?

ANSWER:

To a handful ordinary men who were dependent and fearful. To people whom the authorities in Jerusalem regarded as ordinary, unschooled, and ignorant (Act 4:13). To people whose human qualifications for the task might even be less than ours (1Co 1:27). This shows again that God was going to display his power through these men for his glory. Thousands upon thousands would be won over to Christ, not because of the skill of these apostles or their stature or their merits, but because they would be clothed with power and authority from on high.

Take note that Jesus was speaking here specifically to his apostles, to men he appointed. He does not appoint everyone to be an apostle, pastor, evangelist, or teacher (Eph 4:11, 1Co 12:29-30, Ro 12:6-8). And the Great Commission in Mat 28:19-20 does not mean that we must all have the same function and suppress our individuality. Rather, as the body of Christ, we have a charge to work together, using our unique abilities to fulfill this mission (1Pe 4:10).

What were they going to receive? 

ANSWER:

Power when the Holy Spirit comes on them. (For a detailed answer, look at question 3, “Why did they need the Holy Spirit?”)

For what purpose were they given it? (verse 22)

ANSWER:

Act 1:21-22  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."

Act 10:40-42  but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.  41  He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen -- by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.  42  He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

So they might BE witnesses. They were given power not to simply act as witnesses or speak as witnesses but to BE witnesses. 

So they might be Jesus’ witnesses: “…and you will be my witnesses…” The word "my" indicates that they were to testify on behalf of and for Jesus' name's sake, standing on Jesus' side, speaking of Jesus.

So they might be witnesses of his resurrection (Acts 1:22).

So they might be witnesses in Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth.

How can we be his witnesses?

ANSWER:

Whether we like it or not, we are witnesses. We are on display before the eyes of a watching world because we profess Christ as our Savior. What witnesses to others is our life and not just what we say. Our life ought to display the kingdom of God in us and thereby authenticate what we profess in Bible study (1Co 4:20, Mat 7:29). We ought to be witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus in the sense of living by the power of his resurrection, rising out of sins to live a life of loving and enjoying and obeying God – life to the full.

Not only are we as individuals witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection but also our families, fellowship groups and our church is a witness. The greatest sign of power authenticating the gospel message is holiness, unity and love among fellow believers (Joh 13:35, 17:23) such as that displayed in the early Jerusalem church in Acts 2:44-47.

We need the power of the Holy Spirit to be effective as witnesses – so that we may be the powerful vehicle, instrument and mouthpiece of God to those whom we witness. All God’s children have the Holy Spirit (1Co 12:13, Ro 8:9), but the degree to which we are Spirit-filled is another matter. Being Spirit-filled is spoken of in Eph 5:18 as something which we should seek.

How then can we be Spirit-filled? God gives of his Spirit according to his sovereignty and grace (Jn 3:8) for his glory alone. Yet we can ask our Father in heaven for this gift for he is delighted to give it to those who ask (Luk 11:13; Acts 8:15; Jn 4:10). We should not just ask but also believe (Mar 11:23; Mat 21:22) and, in accordance with our expectation of receiving this gift,  privately fellowship with God, relinquishing pride, selfishness and unholiness, and surrender ourselves to him to obey him (Jn 14:15-17,21) and be his instrument through which we may be used as his witness. 

Part III: Jesus’ Ascension (vs. 9-11)

6. Read verses 9-11. 

ANSWER:

Act 1:9-11  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."

Where did Jesus go? (Luk 24:51, Eph 1:20)

ANSWER:

Luk 24:51  While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

Act 2:33  Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

Eph 1:20  which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.

Jesus ascended to heaven (Luk 24:51) and was exalted to the right hand of the Father (Eph 1:20; Act 2:33). He was seated on the throne of his father David, thus beginning the kingdom of Christ.

This was the end of the forty days of his resurrection appearances (verse 3). He was really gone now. In ten days would be the day of Pentecost.

What is the significance of this? 

ANSWER:

Jesus is Lord. He possesses all authority in heaven and on earth.

From his throne in heaven, Jesus continues to orchestrate his salvation work (Mar 16:20; Act 14:3).

He intercedes for us before the Father as our high priest (Heb 4:14; 1Jn 2:1).

How was Jesus going to come back? 

ANSWER:

Mat 24:30  "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.

Zec 14:4  On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.

Jesus will come back in the same way he left, coming on the clouds of the sky. Only this time, he will come with power and great glory and everyone will see it.

Why is it important for us to know this?

ANSWER:

So that we may not be deceived by anyone claiming “I am the Christ”. 

The End.