#DailyDevotion The Holy Spirit Is Promised In The Ascension
Acts 1:1-11 IN MY FIRST BOOK, Theophilus, I wrote about everything Jesus did and taught 2until the day He was taken up to heaven after giving orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. 3After His suffering Jesus proved to the apostles in many convincing ways that He was alive as He showed Himself to them for forty days and talked about God’s kingdom. 4When He met with them, He ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised: “You heard Me tell about Him: 5John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6When they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, are You now going to reestablish the kingdom of Israel?” 7“It isn’t for you to know,” He told them, “what times or periods the Father has set by His own authority. 8But when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will receive power and will testify of Me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the world.” 9When He had said this and while they were watching Him, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him away so they couldn’t see Him anymore. 10As He was going and they were gazing up into the sky, two men in white clothes were standing right beside them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they asked, “why are you standing here looking up to heaven? This Jesus, Who was taken away from you to heaven, will come back the same way you saw Him go to heaven.”
Luke gives us a little summary of the end of his Gospel here. In particular we note Jesus’ suffering and the works to show he was truly risen from the dead, bodily, being alive. He spent forty days with them talking about God’s kingdom. No doubt many of the parables and things they didn’t quite understand because of hiddeness of his teaching were made clearer. It seems though from this dialogue that they didn’t quite get it yet, when they ask him about the establishment of the kingdom of Israel. Perhaps though this was just part of Jesus’ teaching them about the kingdom. Jesus reaffirms what he had taught them earlier about times and seasons and such being ordained by the Father and not to concern ourselves with such things.
What Jesus does make clear to them was they were to stay in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. While some people try to take away the distinction of the Holy Spirit being with us and the Holy Spirit being in us, I think they do that because they simply don’t know what to do with those prepositions. The reason for this is He has chosen not to let us know. But we know this, there is a distinction. Perhaps it is in the receiving of power that is different. While the Holy Spirit is always there with faith, I think to some extent, when he makes his home in you he gives you a certain understanding of the Scriptures, in particular, how the Old Testament proclaims Jesus as the Messiah. Despite some Old Testament professors disclaimers, I’m quite certain if you see Jesus anywhere in the Old Testament, you are probably correct.
Jesus sent his Apostles into all the world, from Jerusalem, Samaria to the furthest parts of the world. They proclaimed Jesus life, death and resurrection and ascension. They proclaimed he is coming back in judgment but has provided for all who trust in him forgiveness of sins and eternal life in the resurrection. Their message continues throughout the world today until Christ comes again in glory. The angels promised Jesus is coming back as he departed. If someone claims to be Jesus and he isn’t coming on the clouds in judgment, he isn’t Jesus. Jesus’ judgment for those who believe in him is innocent, not guilty and righteous.
Heavenly Father, continually give us your Holy Spirit so we may proclaim Jesus to a fallen world so many may come to faith and be saved through him. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.