The Promise of the Spirit
[ READ ] Acts 1:1-11
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 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.
4 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; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
The Ascension
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 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.” 9 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. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 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.”
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 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.
4 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; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
The Ascension
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 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.” 9 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. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 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.”
Most people think waiting is a passive act, we associate it with uncertainty, delay, or silence. But in Scripture, waiting is often the place where God prepares us for transformation. That’s what makes Jesus’ command in this passage so meaningful. The city of Jerusalem prior to Acts 1 was the place where Judas betrayed Jesus, where Peter denied Him, and the brutal death of Jesus Christ. If I were one of the disciples, Jerusalem would still feel like a place of great trauma and pain, but Jerusalem’s story does not end in despair. It is also the place where resurrection happens and where that power would be poured out on the early Church. The command to wait in Jerusalem is not to delay the disciples but to shape their dependence on God. In verse 8, Jesus promises they will receive the power of the Holy Spirit to become His witnesses to all of the earth starting in their place of waiting. We do not have to imagine what that power looks like because that same power is alive in us today! Which means the places where we felt failure or delay can become the places where God’s power is made known through our lives.
- Keegan Geis
- Keegan Geis
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Why do you think Jesus redirects their focus away from “times or seasons” and toward the coming of the Holy Spirit?
+ Why does Jesus tell the disciples to wait in Jerusalem specifically, rather than sending them somewhere new after His resurrection?
+ Why do you think Jesus redirects their focus away from “times or seasons” and toward the coming of the Holy Spirit?
+ Why does Jesus tell the disciples to wait in Jerusalem specifically, rather than sending them somewhere new after His resurrection?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ What is a “Jerusalem” in your life? A place, memory, or season you would rather leave, but God may be using to transform you?
+ If the Holy Spirit lives in you, how does that reshape your “Jerusalem” from a place of waiting into a place of witness?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ What is a “Jerusalem” in your life? A place, memory, or season you would rather leave, but God may be using to transform you?
+ If the Holy Spirit lives in you, how does that reshape your “Jerusalem” from a place of waiting into a place of witness?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, thank You that the places in my life that feel silent or uncertain are not wasted because you are constantly working in and through me. Help me in the moments that feel heavy, when my questions feel unanswered, or when it is hard to see what You are doing. Help me to not shy away from You when You are transforming me. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit that You poured out onto me, make me recognize that without Your Spirit I can do nothing. Fill me with the Spirit, empower me to be a witness to others, and turn my dependence on You into boldness. Meet me in my times of waiting and teach me to trust You in where You have placed me.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, thank You that the places in my life that feel silent or uncertain are not wasted because you are constantly working in and through me. Help me in the moments that feel heavy, when my questions feel unanswered, or when it is hard to see what You are doing. Help me to not shy away from You when You are transforming me. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit that You poured out onto me, make me recognize that without Your Spirit I can do nothing. Fill me with the Spirit, empower me to be a witness to others, and turn my dependence on You into boldness. Meet me in my times of waiting and teach me to trust You in where You have placed me.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who do you know that’s in a season of waiting, and how can you encourage them to see that the Spirit is still working in their life?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who do you know that’s in a season of waiting, and how can you encourage them to see that the Spirit is still working in their life?
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