Promise of New Power

KEY VERSE: “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.” —Acts 1:8, New International Version

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Acts 1:1-14

FOLLOWING THE DEATH and resurrection of Jesus, he appeared to the apostles and others over a period of forty days. These appearances are recorded for us in the Gospels as convincing proofs that he was alive, even though during much of that time he was invisible to them. Once he told them, “Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49) These instructions are confirmed in Acts 1:4,5.

When Jesus appeared to his disciples during this forty-day period, he spoke about the kingdom. This was uppermost in their minds, as well. At his final meeting with them, it is logical that they should ask, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Our Lord’s response was, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” (Acts 1:6,7, NIV) Jesus then spoke the words of our Key Verse, quoted above. In essence Jesus was telling them not to be concerned about the date when the kingdom would be restored, but to concentrate their efforts on the task before them, which was to witness for him. They did not know yet that there were many more to be found who would comprise the body of Christ. This work of finding them had to precede the establishment of the kingdom.

It is noteworthy that the times and dates for the kingdom are under the complete control and authority of the Father. In the King James Translation of Acts 1:7 this specific Greek word, exousia, is translated “power,” and might be considered to be the same word used by Jesus in the next verse where Jesus tells his disciples that they will receive power by way of the Holy Spirit. That Greek word translated power is “dunamis.” The church was not to receive the same capability of knowing dates as possessed by the Father. Hence, when Jesus said in Matthew 24:36, “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only,” we must accept his wisdom to have it so.

Jesus was then taken from the disciples, lifted up heavenward into a cloud, and out of their sight. Two angels were standing by and spoke to them as they gazed into the heavens, saying, “This same which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11) Here important information was given on the manner of our Lord’s return. There would be no fanfare—the world did not see him go, neither would they see him return. Only his disciples would know.

This event took place on the Mount of Olives. The disciples then returned to Jerusalem. The work they would be doing was to witness for Jesus, telling the wonderful kingdom message to find and assist those whom God would call. Assembled in the upper room in Jerusalem were the eleven apostles and the faithful women, including Mary, the mother of Jesus. These were the first members of the ‘body’ of Christ, and the recipients of exclusive favor given to Israel. Soon the call would go to the Gentiles.

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