Acts 1:3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Christ was assembled together with them:
Acts 1:4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Today when you accept Christ as your Savior, He (the Holy Spirit) comes into you and you begin to understand His Word more fully.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
These are your baby steps as you begin to understand His teachings and the way He desires you to follow Him. At this point you are not ready to go out among the masses sharing the good news of Salvation. At this point you need fellowship and growth with like minded believers.
As we see in Acts 1:4-5 Jesus commands them not to depart Jerusalem until they receive the Promise of the Father even though these apostles had been with Him during His ministry. They certainly were not babes in Christ but they were lacking the Promise of the Father, the empowerment given by God to complete their task among the masses.
These were men who had witnessed it all, the Crucifixion, the burial, and the Resurrected Christ; they had experienced it all but He told them to wait. WOW!
Acts 1: 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
This same power is available to you today!
Then they watched Him ascend into Heaven and were told He would return in like manner.
Acts 1:9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
One days journey and then the wait in Jerusalem.
They gathered in the upper room, about 120 of them in all and were of one accord in prayer and supplication.
Peter rose and reviewed the history of Judas involvement in Christ's ministry including the foretelling covered in Psalms. It was time to pick his replacement and by lots they chose between two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Acts 1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” (Bold Emphasis mine)
18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. 19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)
Acts 1:20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:
‘Let his dwelling place be desolate,
And let no one live in it’;
and,
‘Let another take his office.’
Matthias selected by lots.
Lot Defined:
That by which the fate or portion of one is determined that by which an event is committed to chance, that is, to the determination of Providence as, to cast lots to draw lots.
The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
How long did they wait for The Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit?
Nine days; based on timing from the Feast of First Fruits, Pentecost was seven weeks later. That’s why it’s sometimes called the Feast of Weeks. (Read More)
Coming of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Promise of the Father is meant for all who believe, have you received this gift?
With the things we all see coming on the world obtaining this gift should be close to the top of your priority list, right behind abiding in and focusing on Jesus! Derek Prince will lead you into this gift in his video presentation found here. Click now and become empowered as God intended you to be!
Receive the Holy Spirit (Please scroll down to the video)
Receiving this gift will bring the rest of our review of the 'Acts of the Apostles' to exciting new dimensions for you. Especially when you discover these things continue today in the lives of ordinary believers like you.
No comments:
Post a Comment