In this chapter, we listen in on the last words Jesus spoke to His disciples before He was taken up into Heaven.
He had already accomplished the gospel. Now He tells them what is to be done with it — where it would be preached, how people were to respond, and what they would have to wait for before they could carry it anywhere.
The gospel is more than a story to hear. It is a truth to experience.
Main Points
After all He had done, there was no way Jesus was going to leave His disciples without clear instructions.
The reality of the gospel was established by Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, but the message of the gospel still had to be proclaimed.
Jesus said the proclamation of His gospel would call for repentance and remission of sins in His name, preached to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
The disciples of Jesus were instructed to wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high that would equip them for their assignment—to be His witnesses to the end of the earth.
As man, Jesus died. As God, He rose again. If He had not risen, the gospel would not be good news at all. Many men have claimed to be God, but they are still in the ground. Jesus’ resurrection is proof that He alone is God.
The resurrection of Jesus is not something just to read about; it is a reality to be experienced, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit is that experience.
This same Jesus, who was taken up into heaven, will come again in like manner.
Reflection
Take a moment to reflect on the following questions.
What truths have I learned in this chapter?
In what ways have my present beliefs been challenged or strengthened?
If you are walking through this section with a person or group, take time to share your responses.
Discussion
Get ready to talk.
If you are walking through this section with a person or group, get some dialogue going with the following questions and corresponding points.
1. After all He had done, there was no way Jesus was going to leave His disciples without clear instructions.
Jesus had forty days between His resurrection and His ascension, and He spent them teaching things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Jesus was dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s with His disciples. How does this time of Jesus equipping those who went on to carry the gospel of His kingdom, increase your trust in what they said and did?
The disciples knew they were to carry His torch, herald His name, and co-labor with Him. They did not approach it casually. Do we?
He had just given His life for what was about to unfold. Would you leave something you died for with people you had not prepared?
2. The reality of the gospel was established by Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, but the message of the gospel still had to be proclaimed.
The work was finished at the cross, but not one person had yet heard the message. Why did a finished work still need to be proclaimed?
The proclamation is what gives a person the opportunity to respond. Who proclaimed it to you? And how does your personal appreciation of and value for the gospel that was preached to you, impact your value on proclaiming it yourself?
The reality of the gospel does not change, but the message only travels as far as it is carried. Does that make us responsible, as stewards of the gospel message?
3. Jesus said the proclamation of His gospel would call for repentance and remission of sins in His name, preached to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Jesus said that sins would be remitted in His name. Why does the name matter?
Repentance and remission. Those are the two things Jesus named. What is the significance of both? Why the order?
What do these elements point toward?
4. The disciples of Jesus were instructed to wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high that would equip them for their assignment—to be His witnesses to the end of the earth.
They already had the assignment. Jesus still told them to wait. Why was the assignment not enough without the power?
The disciples asked whether He would restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus did not answer the question. Instead, He told them what they would receive. What does that redirect tell us?
If we are His ambassadors, called to proclaim and establish His kingdom, how does that impact how you view your role and calling in the kingdom of God?
5. As man, Jesus died. As God, He rose again. If He had not risen, the gospel would not be good news at all. Many men have claimed to be God, but they are still in the ground. Jesus’ resurrection is proof that He alone is God.
Many men have claimed to be God, but they’re still in the ground. What does an empty tomb prove alone, all by itself?
If Jesus had not risen, would there even be a gospel? Was simply Him coming to the earth enough in itself?
As man He died. As God He rose. How does the dual nature of Jesus Christ impact your understanding of Him & His gospel?
6. The resurrection of Jesus is not something just to read about; it is a reality to be experienced, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit is that experience.
The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave is the Spirit that fills our hearts when we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. How does that impact your understanding of being filled with the Holy Spirit?
Romans 8:11 says that “if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” How does being filled with the Holy Spirit connect to Jesus’ return for us as His bride?
Has the resurrection of Jesus become more than a story to you yet? If no, are you ready to seek it? If yes, what was that like for you & how has it impacted your life since?
7. This same Jesus, who was taken up into heaven, will come again in like manner.
One day Jesus is going to return for those who are born again and a part of His bride (the church). How does this reality impact your overall worldview of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus?
What hope does Jesus’ return give you, that those who do not know Jesus do not have?
Do you live your life with the daily understanding that Jesus is coming again? Or does that seem like some far-off reality?
Response
Take a moment to reflect on the following questions, and how you will respond to the truths you have learned.
How will I apply the truths I've learned?
Is there a way that I can use what I have learned to impact someone in my life?
If you are walking through this section with a person or group, take time to share your responses.
