Acts 1:6-14
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.8 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.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in whitestood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Although the first astronauts were all men, crews going into the skies these days often include both men and women. The Space X Crew 5, which launched to the International Space Station on October 6, 2022, consisted of two men and two women, and one of the women was the commander of flight.
It is, of course, a good thing that such opportunities and responsibilities are open to both sexes, but historically speaking, it has taken a long time to get there.
That seems jarringly clear in another “going into the sky” moment. We’re talking about the ascension, when Jesus was taken up through a cloud into the heavens. As those who witnessed this phenomenon stood, dumbstruck, staring into the sky, two heavenly messengers, specifically identified as men, spoke to them saying, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?”
Written by Luke to Theophilus. Luke's narrative is focused on God and connected to history and the community.
The preface closes with a summary statement (vv. 12–14). The community of believers includes both male disciples (only 11 names are given, preparing for Judas' replacement in 1:15–26) and women, with Mary explicitly named alongside the mention of Jesus' brothers. This reading from Acts goes through verse 14, which plainly states that as the apostles devoted themselves to prayer, they were “together with certain women, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.” So, there’s a reasonable likelihood that there were also women disciples who witnessed the ascension.
Assurance from Jesus
The confusion (1:6):
The apostles want to know if Jesus will establish his kingdom at this time.
Jesus had spoken of the kingdom and promised the coming of the Spirit, so it is no surprise that his disciples wonder about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel (v. 6) .
The clarification (1:7):
Jesus tells them that the Father will determine when that occurs. Jesus does not spend a lot of time talking about what is not yet but tells the people to focus on what is right now.
Jesus is concerned about saving more than just Israel.
While God’s plan of renewal is mediated through Israel (a concern for the apostles, vv. 6–7), it would reach beyond Israel to include those who had been disenfranchised from Israel’s commonwealth, the Gentiles. Hence, the reign of God for Luke would also challenge the claims of Israel regarding its exclusive rights and position within God’s plan. For this reason, the inclusion of the Gentiles in the “new” people of God is an overarching concern of Acts.24
24 A cursory reading of Acts indicates that the early “Christian” communities encountered “integration” problems, which were a major concern of Acts (8:26–15:35). Nevertheless, integration into the new “Christian” community links conversion with integration into the new community, which has to do with the creation of a new social entity—the unity of Jew and Gentile into one people of God through Jesus Christ (Liew, “Acts,” 420–21).
The commission (1:8):
Meanwhile, they are to witness for Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea. How do we live as Disciples of a now departed Jesus? - Don't Worry, Watch, Wait, and Pray
Ascension of Jesus
Faith is about waiting sometimes, others it’s about action.
Discipleship is about an active witness more than a personal relationship.
Receive power = closest English word compared to dynamite.
The Holy Spirit gives them power to be witnesses, this is functional as well as spiritual.
Verse 14 they all joined together constantly in prayer - Prayer is an active practice. Jesus tells them not to leave Jerusalem yet. - Pray a little longer. Jesus decided I am going to work from home.
Isaiah 40:28-31 King James Version (KJV)
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Pray
Now is the time to be praying, praying more than ever.
Philippians 4:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Know that the same way you saw Jesus leave is the same way you are going to see him return in the meantime, don’t worry, watch the right things, wait on the Lord, and pray.
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