Dale Gooding - Acts 1:1-5

https://youtu.be/5acgSmiDnOA

Our text is a bridge between Luke & Acts, and the entire book is a vital bridge between the Gospels & the Epistles.

In this intro Luke notes twice that instructions were given to the Apostles.  Acts is them obeying those commands as they wait for The Holy Spirit.

I) Intro. to the Book of Acts
    A) Luke & Acts go together - Lk. 1:1-4
    B) Author: Luke, gentile, not Apostle;
         wrote 2 books (possibly Hebrews)
         Luke & Acts - appx. the same size; 
         most of NT; both to Theophilus;
         Uncertainty as to who he was
              1) A Nobleman, a sponsor; 
              2) A pseudonym (friend of God)
         Title: “The Acts of the Apostles”
                   “Acts of the Risen Christ”
                   “Acts of the Holy Spirit”
    C) Jesus is continuing to work;
             1) To build His Church - Mt 16:18
             2) Thru apostles & us - Eph 2:19
    D) Review Card  (Layton Talbert info.)

The Gospel of Luke should be read while we work thru Acts.  Acts should be seen as an Example & Pattern for the continued work of The Church
-    To Evangelize 
-    To be Sensitive & Submissive to 
      God The Holy Spirit and His call to
      do unusual things for odd reasons
-    In Acts we have:
      •  Church Officers (Acts 1,6,14)
      •  Transition conflict - Law vs Grace
      •  1st church council - Jew vs Gentile
      •  Between 7 & 19 sermons
      •  Distinction between Jew & Gentile
          yet ingathering Gentiles Acts 10
      •  Division & strife as well as unity 
      •  New Miraculous activity with man:
          languages, healings, raising dead
          (testify to authenticity & power)
      •  Martyrdoms (Stephen & James)
      •  Missionary Journeys (Paul’s 3)
      •  Evangelism (Paul and Peter)
          -  “Witness(ing)” Acts 1:8,28-31

II) A Record of Jesus’ Earthly Ministry
        A) To Do & Teach - Luke’s account
             of Jesus’ ministry & commands
        B) Some teach the Gospels don’t 
             pertain to the church, Luke does
              In Acts 1:2-4 Luke notes Jesus;
                  1) Gave Orders
                  2) Presented Himself alive; & 
                  3) Gave a Command to wait

III) A Record of Jesus’ Ascension
       A) Acts & Gospels - Mk 16:19; 
             Lk 24:51; Acts 1:9
       B) Commands given before
             ascending?
             - Not specifically stated by Luke
             - Like the “Great Commission” = 
                Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15; 
                Lk 24:47; Jn 20:21
                • Post-resurrection statements
                • These were commands
                • The last thing Jesus says is
                   “Go, preach the Gospel”
        C) Jesus’ mode of comm - 
              thru Holy Spirit.  
                  • A precedent to the future

IV) A Record of Jesus’ Post-Resurrection Ministry
        A) Proof - Lk 24:36-49, Jesus;
             1) appears miraculously; 
             2) eats physical food; 
             3) Showd resurrected body
             4) affirmed His earthly mission
             5) gives essence of The Gospel
             6) Commissions the Apostles.
            -  These are all “proofs”; Greek
                tekmerion “indubitable”
        B) John’s testimony - Jn. 20:25-27
              (Note Jn. 20:28-29) - Thomas’ 
              response likely Luke’s desire
        C) Paul testified - I Cor 15:4-7 
              (w/ I Cor. 15:1-4) “The Gospel!”
        D) Jesus’ call to “wait”
              • A “command” (order) - why?
                  = Collective exp event?
                  = To not miss it?
                  = Does it matter?
               • Was an anticipated event:
                  = Previous Jn 14:26 (15 &16)
                  = Prophesied - Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8

Application: Jesus has ascended & we may not have the miraculous activity of the 1st century, but we still have the commission & indwelling Holy Spirit.

Transition: There is a ministry called “Acts 29”, it is called such because the book ends at chapter 28 but the ministry of Jesus & the building of His Church continue on to this day.

Conclusion: We are a part of Acts chapter 29.  We continue to do the work Jesus called us to and his earlier disciples performed.  It is ours to;
         • Follow Him
         • Testify of Him
         • Suffer for Him
         • Worship & Glorify Him

Concluding Application: Lk. 24:50-52!
        • This worship was before Luke’s
            prologue, before Apostles
            returned to Jerusalem.
        • We still can & should worship Him
        • He is the triumphant, resurrected
            and ascended Savior who has
            saved us, commissioned us & 
            even now lives in, 
            communes with & instructs us.