Focus this Week – Jesus: the Sequel

Acts 1:1-11

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.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.

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; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

The book of Acts is Luke’s account of the birth of the early church. It begins with a changing of the guard. As the Son ascends after paying for the sins of all, defeating death and commissioning His followers to spread the gospel, the Spirit takes His place ushering in the church age. The church explodes in growth through the power of the Spirit with miracles and transformed men and women.

But the early church was not without it’s challenges. Former outsiders and enemies enter the fold, and growing pains force leadership to add more structure and integrate the gospel into new settings and cultures. 

Acts gives us a view into what the church can be and how it can be sidelined when competing agendas and outdated beliefs get in the way. 

Enjoy this short video on an overview of Acts. Click here.

Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s scripture.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Pastor Stephen Williams

Enjoying Belmont Daily? Consider subscribing and never miss a post! 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.