March 6, 2022
Evening Service

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

 

Acts 1:1  The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 

Acts 1:2  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, 

Acts 1:3  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. 

Acts 1:4  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; 

Acts 1:5  for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 

 

Our Lord Jesus told the disciples of the work they were commanded to do. The apostles assembled themselves at Jerusalem and Jesus ordered them not to depart from there, but to wait until they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This would be a baptism by the Holy Spirit, giving them the power to work miracles, and edifying them for the work of Christ and sanctifying their souls for God’s purpose. This confirms the Divine Promise of the Father and encourages us believers to depend upon it and to trust in it. Therefore, we have heard it from Christ and in Him, all the promises of our Father in heaven are made true, we can place our trust in Jesus through faith, and God’s Will is confirmed.

 

The Ascension

Acts 1:6  Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 

Acts 1:7  And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 

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." 

Acts 1:9  Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 

Acts 1:10  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 

Acts 1:11  who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

 

The disciples were very serious minded in asking about the restoration of Israel as the kingdom, but Jesus had never directed them to seek after this or encouraged them about this in any way. Our Lord Jesus knew that His ascension to heaven and the teaching of the Holy Spirit would soon end these thoughts of His kingdom and time being now as He was with them. He only gave them a stern answer that is was not for them to know these things and God the Father has placed Himself in authority about these times and seasons. This rebuking of the disciples is also a word to the wise to His church in every age and time period to be cautious concerning the desire of forbidden knowledge. Jesus had given His disciples instructions of their duties when He sent them out, both before his death and since his resurrection, and this knowledge is enough for a Christian. It is enough that He has promised to give believers strength equal to their trials and services; that under the influence of the Holy Spirit they may, in one way or other, be witnesses for Christ on earth. When we reside in heaven, He will manage our concerns with perfect wisdom, truth, and love. When we think about being insignificant or miniscule, the thoughts of our Redeemer’s second coming should arouse and awaken us: when we think of all our various troubles of this world and being fearful, those thoughts of His second coming should comfort and encourage us. Our expectations of the second coming of Jesus should be steadfast and joyful of our salvation, being diligent about seeking Him and His kingdom. 

 

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Acts 1:12  Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. 

Acts 1:13  And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 

Acts 1:14  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

 

God can find places of refuge for his people. The disciples gathered as a group and sought help from God, all God’s people are praying people. At this time, it was full of trouble and danger for the disciples of Christ, but if any were oppressed or tormented, let them pray; praying will dismiss their cares and fears. Now the great work of being a disciple was coming due and before they began this work, they were earnest in prayer to God for His presence and Help of doing this work. They were waiting for the descent of the Spirit, and were dutiful and without limits in prayer time. We are in the best condition to receive spiritual blessings when we are in a praying mode and seeking God’s Will and help. Jesus had promised to send the Holy Spirit shortly and that promise was not to do away with prayer, but to accelerate and motivate them to pray more. When we are united in love, praiseworthy in our conduct, passionate in prayer, and wisely purposeful to promote the cause of Christ, we are likely to increase believers rapidly. I have heard it said, that we are to plant and to water and God will do the growing of His church.

 

Acts 1:15  And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 

Acts 1:16  "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 

Acts 1:17  for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry." 

Acts 1:18  (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. 

Acts 1:19  And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) 

Acts 1:20  "For it is written in the Book of Psalms: 'LET HIS DWELLING PLACE BE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE LIVE IN IT'; and, 'LET ANOTHER TAKE HIS OFFICE.' 

Acts 1:21  "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 

Acts 1:22  beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." 

Acts 1:23  And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 

Acts 1:24  And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 

Acts 1:25  to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." 

Acts 1:26  And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 

 

The great thing the apostles were to do was to witness to the world was the resurrection of Jesus, for this was the great proof of Him being the Messiah, and the very foundation of our hope in Him. The apostles were not ordained to worldly dignity and supremacy, but to preach Christ Jesus and the power of His resurrection. The disciples made an appeal to God for a replacement disciple for the fallen Judas Iscariot. The disciples inquired of the Lord God who knows the hearts of all men and no man knows the heart of another man, in fact, God knows our own hearts better than we do. It is fitting and proper that God should choose His own servants; and by the discarding of his protection and care, or the gifts of his Spirit, He will show whom He has chosen. This applies to us also, what He has chosen for us, it is correct and probable to fall within His Will. We should always seek His Will and guidance in the decision making process, everything of any importance that happens to us where a decision is necessary, especially in those by which any trust may be committed or entrusted to us. I always say, any man (myself included) will let you down and from time to time, but trusting in our Lord Jesus, He will be there when others are not and He will always help you when your faith is in Him!