Acts 1:1–4 (NKJV) — 1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 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. 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;
The death of Jesus was a turning point in the history of the world. But it was not just a mere death. The death of Christ was not the end. After His death and burial there was a resurrection and ascension. Between the resurrection and ascension Jesus was actively instructing His disciples in what was about to happen. When asked if He was going to restore the kingdom of Israel Jesus responded, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”
The Disciples were given the opportunity to witness the resurrection of Christ. He walked with them. He instructed them. He promised them a power that only God could give. It was the power of the Holy Spirit.
There was a promise Jesus gave them. The promise of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit we have no power to do the work of God. Just as a car has no power without gas, diesel fuel…or electricity, no person has the power to do the work of God. The disciple had to wait for the Holy Spirit. Today when a person accepts Christ as Savior and Lord the Holy Spirit enters into that persons life. We receive the power of God not to sit idly by waiting for Christ’s return.
Acts 1:8 may be the key verse of Acts. 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.” As a car cannot function without fuel, a Christian cannot function without the Holy Spirit filling their life. The filling of the Holy Spirit is the power to do God’s will and purpose. We are to be witnesses for and of God to the world. The Holy Spirit is given to each believer in Christ to do His work in the church and the world.
Believers, followers of Christ are actively involved in doing God’s work. They actively do His work in the world. Everywhere they go they are to tell others about their involvement with Christ. I hear ladies in church testify how they share Jesus with others every day in everyday life. Believers are actively involved in church. This is a key point. First, the are in church. Secondly, they are not just sitting in a pew, they are busy doing the work of God in the church.
Christianity is not a feel-good religion even though you do have the peace of God that exceeds any peace the world could ever offer. Christianity is a relationship with God that leads to an inner peace that despite what is happening around us. It lets us know God is in control.