
After Easter: Ascension
Thom Redmond
Acts 1:1-11
1In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. 4Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
What was the biggest question you had on your mind after graduating from High School or College?
The first three verses lay the groundwork for the rest of the New Testament. Why?
- The eleven disciples are
John 14:27-29
27“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.
Is number 40 crucial?
Acts 1:6-7
6So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.
Jesus redirects the disciples. He does not want them to consider solving spiritual issues with political solutions.
So, what is the key to having an actual cultural impact? “YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES.”
Acts 8:1-4
1A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2(Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. 4But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
How did this impact the Roman Empire?
Think about this: it began in 33 AD with just 11 witnesses and ended in 313 AD with the Edict of Milan.
Christianity went from complete outcast to the conversion of the Roman emperor.
Acts 1:10-11
10As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
- These verses are the
Revelation 1:7 Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him.
And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!
Remember, John was an eyewitness to the Ascension. Who better to prophesy what Jesus could do?
What do you believe?