“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1.1-5
It’s fun to move straight from Luke to Acts. Both written by the physician Luke, they serve as a sequel to one another. And the Acts of the Apostles is that to the other three gospels—Matthew, Mark, and John—as well. But moving from Luke to Acts is almost seamless. Luke is like part two of a great movie. We just witnessed the first installment, and now for the rest of the story.
Luke is writing to Theophilus, perhaps a wealthy Greek/Gentile donor of influence. We don’t know much more about him than speculation, but he was someone of importance who would help spread the message of Jesus—someone to whom the message could be trusted and handed down.
Luke gives him a review of the first “book,” about Jesus: what he taught, “all that he began to do,” until “the day he was taken up to heaven.” (That’s not a bad summary of Luke’s Gospel!) And now the third person of the Trinity enters center stage. The Spirit, who had been working with God and through his people since Genesis 1 and all throughout Jesus’ ministry, was now the promised “deposit”—the Helper who was coming. Jesus left so the Spirit could come. (On a side note, Jesus tells us we would be better off with the Spirit than with him in person.)
He then reminds Theophilus what happens after Jesus’ suffering and resurrection: how he showed up to the disciples, “gave many convincing proofs that he was indeed alive” (hand in his side, eating fish, walking into the room), appeared to them over a period of forty days, and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God.
If this was not significant enough, he then tells them not to leave Jerusalem because they were to receive a gift the Father had promised, which he spoke about—John baptized with water, but “you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Trinity reference right here: the Son affirming the gift of the Father, which is the Holy Spirit.
A lot is going on in this passage. Each verse could be parsed and interpreted, but as a brief summary: Jesus is risen, the Church is being birthed, the Spirit will guide them, and the message is clear. This is the beginning of the spread of the Gospel after Jesus’ ascension and to the ends of the earth. The work that began back then is continuing to this day.
If we ever doubt the clarity of vision or mission, we should return to this initial directive from Jesus. This is the core of the Gospel. It’s not politics or social agendas. It’s not cultural correctness or human imaginations. It is preaching the word of Christ—which is repentance of sins—to turn people back to God with the indwelling of the Spirit. The purpose of “church” is not to make people feel better; it is to help them encounter the Lord, catch his heart for the world, and find truth and love in his name.
So welcome to the Acts of the Apostles. It’s beautiful, it’s heavy, it’s powerful, and it’s a fulfillment of the purpose which Jesus initiated and which we are living out today by his grace and through his Spirit.
“O Lord God, you are good. Thank you for loving us and for helping us walk in your ways. I praise you, Lord, for this day and for the gift of your Spirit. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen.