The Holy Spirit – The Promise of The Father (Acts 1:4-8). The coming of the Holy Spirit is close at hand. We are given a gift, a power, and a witness. But what does that mean? What is the Holy Spirit’s role? Read on to discover why Jesus’s coming is so near. And how can we experience it?
The Holy Spirit’s Coming is Imminent
In Acts 1:1-11, the Holy Spirit’s coming will complete Jesus’ teaching that He would send the Holy Spirit from heaven. Jesus spent forty days teaching His disciples and building His church, but His earthly ministry ends when He sends the Holy Spirit. The book is a continuation of Luke’s gospel, describing the work of the twelve apostles.
The coming of the Holy Spirit will be in a manner appropriate to His purpose. He gave them power, but they didn’t know when it was coming. The Father puts seasons in his power. Therefore, the Holy Spirit will come soon. Despite what some may think, Jesus’ coming is near.
The Holy Spirit is a Gift
The Holy Spirit gives us various gifts. We might also be scared or panicked. Whatever the case, we can use this gift to help others. The Bible calls the Holy Spirit our helper. If you have this gift, you can help others and be a good example for them.
The next gift of the Spirit is knowledge. While many people have the gift of memory, others may have a greater understanding of scripture and the ways of God. Another gift of knowledge is “the utterance of knowledge.” These individuals have the ability to speak accurately, and with appropriate words. They seem to possess true knowledge. While we cannot comprehend all the details of the Word of God, we can learn to apply it to our own situations.
The Holy Spirit is a Power
When we read the New Testament, we often encounter two words that convey the idea of power: exousia and dunamis. Luke uses the former word, which means authority, to describe Jesus’ role as a leader. The latter word is often translated as “spirit.”
The power that Jesus gave the disciples to spread the Gospel was referred to as “divine authority.” The disciples were given the power to cast out demons and heal diseases. This power was necessary to spread the Gospel to the people, especially the Jews. The disciples needed Divine Dunamis, in order to accomplish their mission and spread the gospel to the entire world. Consequently, they received the fullness of the Spirit and became witnesses of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is a Witness
The narrative in Acts revolves around the mandate to witness to Jesus. Jesus himself issues this directive to us at the end of His ministry on earth. It is the last word He utters before His ascension. All that follows is an outgrowth of His own intention. In addition to being an obligation, the mandate is a gift. Luke makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is a powerful agent of change.
The Word “witness” is used twenty-nine times in Acts. It means “one who testifies to the truth about a person, event, or circumstance.” In the Bible, the word witness also means martyr, and many of God’s people have sealed their testimony by giving their lives.
The Ascension of Christ to Heaven
During His Last Supper, Jesus hinted at his ascension to the Father. When He ascended to heaven, the disciples were reassured by angels, but they asked why He had to leave them and ascend to heaven 40 days after His Resurrection. He could have stayed with them for a long time! In fact, the disciples were troubled by this thought.
He Ascended in Bodily Form
Many modern Christians believe that Jesus ascended to heaven in bodily shape. The Gospels, especially Luke and Acts, confirm that Christ ascended into heaven. The Apostles Creed also affirms this. But does the Gospel record really prove that Jesus ascended to heaven? There is no definitive answer to this question, but some evidence points to it. In this article, we will explore some of the most important questions surrounding the ascension of Jesus.
Several passages in the New Testament dispute the idea that Jesus ascended to heaven in bodily shape. The synoptic accounts contradict one another. In John’s gospel, Mary is visited by angels and then turns around to see Jesus disguised as a gardener. In this gospel account, Jesus appears to Mary and tells her that he is risen. John’s account does not mention the Roman soldiers and suggests that Mary believed Jesus(as) had been taken away from earth.
He Ascended to His Rightful Place Next to the Father
The apostles’ creed contains a verse about Jesus’ ascension, where they teach that he will sit at the right hand of the Father and judge the living and the dead. The ascension is important for Christians because, without it, Christians will never have access to God. In the ascension, Jesus takes His rightful place next to the Father, and all those redeemed in him will travel to God’s presence.
According to the New Testament, the Ascension of Jesus is clearly recorded in the Bible. Luke records that Jesus ascended to heaven as he led the disciples to Bethany. Then he blessed them and parted from them. The disciples were so excited and filled with joy that they continued to worship him and bless the Father. In addition to the apostles’ testimonies, the writer of Hebrews affirms Jesus’ ascension.
He Ascended in a Cloud
The words “Jesus ascended to heaven in a cloud” have many interpretations, but the meaning is generally the same: the Lord was lifted into the clouds in glory. Throughout the Old Testament, the cloud of glory is a common image. The prophet Ezekiel saw the cherubim leading the people through the wilderness in a cloud-chariot. In the Gospels, Jesus was surrounded by a cloud on the Mount of Transfiguration.
When reading the New Testament, it is important to note that both Matthew and Mark relate Jesus’ words on the Mount of Olives to his ascension. Though we often associate Jesus’ words about the clouds with his return to earth, it is important to understand them in relation to the ascension of Christ. In the gospel of Luke, the ascension of Jesus is immediately following verse 51.
What Can We Learn From the Ascension of Jesus?
The Ascension of Jesus demonstrates the power of the Word. As Jesus rose from the dead, His disciples gazed at Him with awe. The empowering presence of Jesus now flows out to each disciple at the same time. As His followers, we are privileged to be a part of this amazing reality. In this article, we’ll explore what we can learn from the Ascension of Jesus.
The ascension of Jesus means that the human being who is our Savior has become the ruler of the universe. Just as Adam ruled the creation as a loving steward, Jesus is now the second Adam ruling the world. This eternal reign represents the completion of the Incarnation and the creation of a new heaven and earth. In this way, the Ascension of Jesus shows us that we can be free from fear of death, suffering, and sin.
The disciples seem to have changed immediately after Jesus’ ascension. Even though they’d been hesitant to believe Jesus’ claims, they did worship him when he ascended to heaven. This change in position made Jesus no longer a teacher, but a prophet of God. Hence, we must embrace this transformation and make it our new reality. In addition to this change of status, the ascension of Jesus also means that He has ended His personal public ministry.
The Significance of the Ascension of Jesus
The Ascension of Jesus is a major event in Christianity, which occurs just forty days after his resurrection. It signals the end of the incarnation and the arrival of Christ as the true high priest. His ascension signifies the completion of the work of salvation. As the true high priest, Jesus will rule the church until his return in power and glory. But how did this moment occur?
The Ascension marked the beginning of Jesus’ new reign and the beginning of His new work as High Priest and Mediator of the New Covenant. In fact, the Ascension established a pattern for the return of Christ and a series of significant events. Here are the major events surrounding the Ascension. We may be more familiar with the events leading up to His ascension than with His incarnation.
Early Christian art depicted the Ascension. The oldest surviving version of this event appeared in the 5th century and persisted in the West until the 11th century. This painting shows Christ from the side, grasping the hand of God as he ascends to heaven. The Apostles are watching. However, we can’t say the Ascension was entirely symbolic in the early Christian tradition.
The Ascension of Jesus signifies the completion of Jesus’ earthly mission. It also signifies the return of Jesus’ heavenly glory. During His sojourn on earth, his glory had been concealed from the eyes of the world. The Transfiguration of Jesus, then, marked His exaltation and preparation for His new work as a High Priest and the medium of the New Covenant.
The Promise of His Return
Jesus ascended into heaven. His return will be in glory and power. The Holy Spirit will descend in holiness and righteousness. He is wrapped in the Shekinah glory, which is the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. Acts 1:10-11 tells us this is the same glory that will surround Him as He returns to heaven. And this glory is what we should look for.
Jesus’ Future Return in Power and Glory
The Bible reveals that Jesus will come in power and glory and every knee will bow before Him. He will rule the world and set everything right. All people will recognize Him as the Messiah, and every tongue will bow to him as the true judge. Then, there will be a trumpet blast, and everybody will know He is coming. Jesus’ return will be the ultimate sign and symbol of the Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Question
Why Did the Holy Spirit Come Down on the Apostles?
Acts 2:4Â ESV And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Why did the Holy Spirit come down on the apostles? This question often plagues Christians. What caused the Holy Spirit to descend on the apostles? What were the characteristics of the Holy Spirit when it descended? This article attempts to provide an answer. Here are some of the most common responses to this question. What was the Holy Spirit’s mission? And what is the significance of the spirit of Pentecost’?
The apostles were empowered by the Holy Spirit. They were able to speak other languages. Their announcements of the Kingdom of God were heard throughout the Roman Empire. Because they had “tongues of fire,” they could speak in other languages. The apostles looked back at the fires of the Old Testament and declared that something revolutionary had happened on the day of Pentecost. The apostles also declared that their actions and words would change the world.
The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to empower us to grow God’s kingdom. The Holy Spirit comes down to empower us to share Jesus’ message with others. Jesus spent time with the disciples on the night before his crucifixion to make sure they would take everything he taught them to heart. He made big promises to them, but God keeps His promises! What a wonderful time to be a Christian! And the Holy Spirit is God’s gift to us.
This passage is very difficult to interpret. The apostles experienced the Holy Spirit differently than any subsequent generation. While the Spirit is present at all times, it’s not always clear when it first came down. If you’re looking for a clearer answer, you can consult the New Testament. In Acts 2, the apostles received the Holy Spirit after praying for a sign from God. It was then followed by the division of fire and divided tongues of fire.
How Did the Holy Spirit Help the Apostles?
The story of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 is a powerful example of God’s hand in history. When Jesus died, Peter was devastated and needed special encouragement. Without this special encouragement, the Apostles would not have been able to continue the mission of the gospel, let alone spread it throughout the world. So, how did the Holy Spirit help the Apostles? We can see five examples of the Spirit’s impact on the early Christian leaders.
Firstly, the Holy Spirit sanctified the early Church. Through this, the Church received Christ’s graces for its ministers and souls. He empowered the Apostles to preach the gospel and do miracles. Second, the Holy Spirit helped them interpret Old Testament Scripture and make them meaningful to the Church and its mission. It was through the Holy Spirit that the Apostles wrote the New Testament. In addition, the Spirit enlightened them as they preached, converted, and worked miracles.
The Holy Spirit also helped early church preachers. Jesus told his disciples to preach the Gospel from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria. There were no checklists or timelines to follow, so the Spirit guided these preachers to the right towns at the right time. By the Spirit’s power, the early church was able to spread the word of Christ far and wide. After all, the early church was a pioneering movement.
Why Do We Need the Holy Spirit?
There are several qualities of the Holy Spirit, and it works in our lives in many ways. We have seen the Spirit work in Christ at various stages of His life, including when he was born. The angel appeared to Mary and told her that the Holy Spirit would come and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. The Spirit is responsible for the conversion of many people and keeps the Antichrist at bay. So, why do we need the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is our guide and advocate. He shows us the truth and gives us the power to overcome sin, both conscious and unconscious. The Holy Spirit can guide us through every aspect of our lives, whether in prayer or through personal Bible reading. He can guide us through the things we need to do, and he can even remind us of important teachings in the Bible. By following God’s Word, we will learn to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit and respond appropriately. John 14:26Â ESV, John 14:16Â ESV
The Holy Spirit indwells a believer until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30) ESV. He seals the believer, indicating that His presence in a person is permanent. The Holy Spirit guards the believer’s salvation, helps them in prayer, and intercedes for God’s people as His will. So, it is no surprise that Jesus called the Holy Spirit to dwell in the disciples before His return. If Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit, that would be a sign of the Spirit’s power.
How Does the Holy Spirit Speak to Us?
John 16:13Â ESV When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
The Holy Spirit speaks to us in many ways. He may speak about specific topics, such as dating, career, or joy. His words will also be confirmed through scripture or circumstances. You can recognize whether a voice is the Holy Spirit’s or not by your relationship with God. In some cases, the Holy Spirit may speak through feelings, such as when you are sad or excited. Those feelings, however, should be in line with the Word of God.
During prayer, we can hear the Holy Spirit speaking to us. We can also hear the voice of the Holy Spirit through our spiritual senses, such as our intuition and our feelings. When we are praying and asking for guidance, the Holy Spirit speaks through inspired ideas. Sometimes, these ideas will be solutions to problems we are praying about and may even solve a problem we’ve been facing. If we listen carefully, we can discern a voice coming from God.
When we are receptive to the Holy Spirit, we are filled with peace and love. When the Holy Spirit touches us, our minds are hyper-aware of our present moment. It gives us the sense that everything hangs on a thread. Yet, we don’t feel nervous or uncomfortable. In fact, we feel safe and secure. In the midst of our busy schedule, we find ourselves drawn to the Holy Spirit’s gentle touch.
Related Bible Study:
True Faith Does Not Befriend The World (James 4:1-12) – Warning Against Worldliness
