Acts 1 - Purpose in the waiting

Completing all of Paul’s letters, it felt natural to jump into the Book of Acts that journals and tells a lot about Paul. Diving into Acts this morning, grabbing a bit of context was great. This book, written by Luke, is written about the space and time between Jesus ascension into Heaven and Paul landing in a Roman prison. It’s fairly obvious by the title, and this book is about what the Apostles did. Acts = deeds. One commentator I was listening to this morning reminded us that this book is not just a story about the Apostles; this is our story as Christ-followers. So, as we dive into Acts, let's be reminded this is our story, and allow it to move us to action in the name of Jesus. 

Reading this opening chapter, such a powerful and great reminder of our call to mission. A simple reminder of why Jesus ascended alone and left the remaining believers. This is the part that is not just their story, and this is our story. What is our purpose on earth, why are we here? Let’s dive in as Luke was drawing attention to his first book, the Gospel, according to Luke.

“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. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:4-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So many questions about this, I did much research and did not find a clear understanding around a central question I have in v5 in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. The future receiving of the Holy Spirit. I won't go into this since I have many more questions than answers, but we clearly see here that the disciples must “wait.” This is something that does jump out to me, some great application I can take away right now. Waiting. The disciples looked a lot like me; they heard wait, and what did they do? They drilled Jesus with questions, trying to figure out why behind them waiting, they wanted to know the plan, they wanted to know the details. Look at verse 6. 

“Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus' response was awesome. It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. How many times do we find ourselves waiting, a bit confused and unsure why this is happening, we just need to know the plan. Right here, we see a direct encounter and interaction with the disciples and Jesus, and Jesus said nope...it is not for you to know...just wait. But Jesus didn’t just stop at telling them to wait, he when on unpacking the mission and vision of what is to come. 

“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.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:8-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Just before Jesus gas is taken up before their very eyes, he told them about what was coming, and what they were to do; 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. 

Ok, so we have our mission, be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. There it is...if you were not sure what your mission as a Christ-follower is, now you know. This is our story, this is our mission and calling. That mission is really, really broad and encompassing, so it can take so many shapes and sizes. But it is rather clear we are called to be Jesus witnesses everywhere we go. 

But what about the waiting, what needs to happen before we go and witness. I liked what John Piper wrote about this:

Acts 1:8 says that they shall receive power from the Holy Spirit and shall be witnesses. Luke 24:48-49 says that they shall be witnesses and must wait for to be clothed with power from on high. Notice that in Acts 1:8receiving power is what precedes and leads to being witnesses for Christ. And in Luke 24:48-49, they are to be witnesses but power from on high is so crucial they must wait for it in the city before they begin to launch out to the nations from Jerusalem.

So here is the main point that I think Jesus and Luke are teaching us: Special power is essential for an expanding witness to Christ.

So good, a special power is essential for an expanding witness to Christ. And we see that this power is a gift from God that is promised. This is good news, it is promised to us by Jesus, and it’s a free gift from God. But we must wait for it. 

This is what jumped out to me this morning, there is purpose in the waiting, and it is powerful. On the other side of waiting is God’s promise, this free gift, and it is powerful. This power is what will fuel our mission, our calling to reach the ends of the earth! That we can take to the bank, that is a promise—purpose in the waiting.