22.182 | The Power in Advancing God's Kingdom | Acts 1:6-8 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Acts 1:1-5 ESV

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER

The Acts of the Apostles is Luke's second book to Theophilus, the first being the Gospel of Luke. Who is Theophilus? Luke gives him the title "most excellent," from ‘krastistos’ in Greek, suggesting he is in the Roman military's equestrian corps [Luke 1:3] From this unit is taken the procurators of Judea (Acts 24:2; 26:25) Moreover, during Paul's first imprisonment (Acts 28:30), Roman persecution of Christianity is heating up and a government official would not be immune from danger (Acts 28:22). Most probably, Luke as he wrote this second letter, had used a pseudonym Theophilus [lover of God] to hide the identity of a Christ-follower who holds a high rank in the local government.

Luke had written in his first book [the book of Luke] about the life and teaching of Jesus. Luke has not met Jesus personally. But, he has an ample time during Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea Maritima (Acts 24—26) to interview the apostles for details of Jesus' ministry.

After Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, he emphasized that Jesus has appeared and reiterated the manifestation of the kingdom of God. He did spend time explaining how the Old Testament Scriptures has prophesied His death and resurrection (Luke 24:27, 45) Jesus’ instruction include the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20) and for them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49]. That, the disciples should not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Since Jesus has risen from the dead as he said, we should not doubt about His promises, should we? He who proved His words as true should earn our trust in all areas of our lives. Certainly, He would fulfill His promises. However, we’ve got to wait patiently. As, the writer of Hebrews said, “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”[Heb 10:35,36] Waiting for that which come surely provides strength. David says, “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living!

Wait for the Lord;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!”[Psa 27:13,14]

This was corroborated by Isaiah, who wrote,

”but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.”[Isa 40:31]

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