Christ’s Commission and Ascension

MEMORY VERSE: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” —Acts 1:8

ACTS 1:1-11

“THE Acts of the Apostles” was written by Luke, and the verses comprising today’s lesson simply present in more detail the closing thoughts of the Gospel of Luke, giving us a transition from the life and ministry of Jesus to the experiences of his footstep followers as they continue the ministry of the glad tidings of the kingdom. Luke speaks of the “many infallible proofs” of Jesus’ resurrection which the Master had given to his disciples while, during the forty days prior to Pentecost, he continued to speak of “the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

Luke tells us of Jesus’ last appearance to the disciples before he was taken up into heaven. Jesus told them to tarry at Jerusalem and “wait for the promise of the Father,” which was the promise to send them the Holy Spirit. He told them that not many days hence they were to be baptized by the Holy Spirit.

But there was a question in the disciples’ minds. They now believed more than ever that Jesus was the Messiah. Their Messiah had now been raised from the dead. His enemies could no longer interfere with his plans, so they wanted now to know what those plans were. “Wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” they asked. The establishment of Messiah’s kingdom meant to them, first of all, that Israel would be delivered from bondage to Rome, and that the nation would again have its own government.

In reality, Jesus did not answer this question. Instead he replied, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” Continuing, he said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you.” Our memory verse explains that this power, or authority, would be given to constitute the disciples witnesses for Jesus “unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

By implication, this was informing the disciples that prior to the establishment of the kingdom there was a great work to be done. The Gospel of the kingdom was to be preached throughout the world. The disciples did not grasp the full scope of this work. Had they done so they would have known that Jesus was describing a work that would require an entire age in the plan of God for its accomplishment. More than nineteen hundred years have passed, and still this witness work continues.

Many have erroneously concluded that the purpose of such a witness has been to convert the entire world to Christianity. However, its main objective has been the calling from the world of a people to be associated with Jesus in his thousand-year kingdom. This people is called the church, the word “church” being a translation of a Greek word which means “a calling out.”

The church is composed of a people called out from the world and invited to lay down their lives in sacrifice as Jesus did. These are promised that if they suffer and die with Jesus they will live and reign with him. (II Tim. 2:1,12) James refers to these as “a people for his [the Lord’s] name.” (Acts 15:14) It is after these have been reached by the Gospel, responded in full dedication to the Lord, and proved faithful unto death, that the messianic kingdom will be fully established. Meanwhile the preaching of the Gospel has been a witness to the world.

Just as the redemption of the world through the death of Jesus was the main objective of his first advent, so the main objective of his second advent is the setting up of his kingdom, and through the agencies of that kingdom, the blessing of all mankind. It will be then that the whole world will be enlightened concerning God’s provision of life through Christ, and those who respond and obey the laws of the kingdom will be blessed with peace, joy, and everlasting life here on the earth as humans. Those who disobey will be cut off in death.—Acts 3:19-23

The disciples watched Jesus disappear, and two “men”—probably angels—“in white apparel” appeared, and assured them that Jesus would return. They believed this, and through the remainder of the New Testament we find the apostles testifying to this glorious hope of the return of their Lord. Without that return and the work of the kingdom, the divine plan would come far short of full accomplishment.

QUESTIONS

What answer did Jesus give to the disciples when they questioned him concerning the time of the establishment of his kingdom?

What great commission did Jesus give to his followers?

What is the main purpose of preaching the Gospel during the present age?

When and how will the world be converted?

What was the great hope of the Early Church with respect to Jesus?

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