The Ascension of Jesus

Acts: The Gospel in the City PART 1
18 November 2012
Rev. Leo Schuster

Acts 1:1-11
1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.  3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men 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.  4On one occasion, while he was eathing 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.  5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel?"

7He said to them: "it is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  11"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky?  This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go to heaven.

Luke, a Gentile wrote Acts

PLAUSIBILITY OF ASCNESION
--v.3; Study teachings with convincing proof.
--Jesus showed himself to eyewitnesses.

REENVISION OUR PURPOSE
--v.8; Disciples witnessed Jesus go up, but they went out to spread His word.
--Jesus identified with his followers.
--Kingdom of God is his reign over the Universe.
--Jesus's ascension gives him authority as King and he delegates his power to us.

POWER RECEIVED
--His presence can run through me.
--Heart of stone becomes a heart of flesh.
--Holy Spirit is the spirit of Christ working in us to reveal Him.
--Jesus reenters us through his ascension--He's not leaving us.