Acts 1:1-11

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 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.

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; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 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.” 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.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


Acts was written by Luke and is a continuation of his gospel. It was also written to Theophilus who is unknown but likely a Gentile believer, perhaps a Roman official, who was looking for an orderly account to support what he believed (Luke 1:3-4). Acts picks up the story at the ascension of Jesus and follows the disciples as they spread the gospel from Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the rest of the (Mediterranean) world. As Gentiles begin to respond to the gospel, the story shifts to Paul’s missionary journeys. Acts provides an historical background for the rest of the New Testament, from Romans to Revelation. The book of Acts was likely written sometime around A.D 62.

Luke gives a brief overview of Jesus’ time between His resurrection and His ascension. During those forty days, Jesus appeared to the disciples and gave them various proofs that He was alive in bodily form and taught them about the kingdom of God. He also ordered them to remain in Jerusalem until they received the promised baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s baptism of the disciples was the beginning of the indwelling, empowering, gifting, and sealing ministry He performs for the church. All believers now receive this baptism at the moment of belief (Eph 1:13-14).

Just before Jesus’ ascension, the disciples asked if He was going to restore the kingdom to Israel at that time. Jesus replied that it was not for them to know when God had planned for the restoration of Israel, but when they received the power of the Holy Spirit, then they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (see also Matt 28:16-20).
When Jesus was finished, he was lifted up in a cloud and disappeared from their sight. While they must have been wondering where He went, two angels appeared and asked them why they were gazing into the heavens. They explained that when Jesus returns, He will appear in the heavens in the same way He was taken from them (Rev 1:7; Matt 24:30).

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to continue His ministry on earth until He returns. The Holy Spirit works through you and me to accomplish our mission, the same mission that was given to the disciples, to reach the world with the gospel. Are you living your life on mission for God? Or are you on your own mission?


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Paul Shipwrecked: Acts 27-28