Daily Truth Bible Study Acts 1:1-26

 The text for today’s Daily Truth is Acts 1:1-26. Now, let’s discuss.

 Acts 1:1-9  OK, at this point the disciples had seen quite a bit. Their Lord had been arrested, brutally beaten, and crucified in a most undignified manner: the Roman Cross. Now, to their surprise (even though they had been told repeatedly), Jesus is risen and spending time with them!

Watch what happens. Jesus tells them that John had baptized with water but He would soon baptize them with the Holy Spirit. The disciples obviously did not understand the significance. Look at what they ask Him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

How often do we do this? We get hugely significant instruction from scripture and then wander off on a rabbit trial being concerned about the present. Jesus straightens out the conversation to get it back on track. The restoration of Israel as a political and military entity was in the Father’s authority and not what Jesus was planning to talk about. Instead, He tells them they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes into their lives and they will then become witnesses for Jesus in their region, adjacent regions, and throughout the world. Wow! This must have been quite a shock. All the time spent with Jesus and the learning that resulted would be put to use.

I don’t know about you but I am tired of hearing Bible-believing Christians saying things like, “If we don’t turn our church building into a hippie flop café or a yuppie coffee house people will stop coming.” As if God is threatened by changing attitudes and apathetic people…

Jesus said He was giving them power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. God’s power is the key not the surroundings. The Bible says God will build His church not techniques, methods, styles…etc and certainly not the ‘cleverness’ of man.

Jesus would trust them to spread His message throughout the world. And that is exactly what happened. The last time you went to church was made possible because Jesus empowered his chosen friends to set up the church.

Do Christians still receive the Holy Spirit when they are converted? Si! And what are we expected to do with this Holy and wonderful gift? The same thing that the original eleven were told to do. Be Jesus’ witnesses throughout the world. Live the life, speak the truth, share the love, minister with patience, protect the faith, preserve God’s word, and stay consistent with the teachings of the Bible.

Also to note, the word for witness that was used by Jesus as reported in the original Greek means ‘one who dies for his faith’. It sounds like quite a commitment is required. This is impossible for man to do through his strength but the disciples showed us how anything is possible with God’s power.

May God bless the study of His word.

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