Acts 1: 1-8 Jesus appears alive to his disciples

The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Several important things are features. First, Jesus appeared bodily to his disciples over forty days, and to a host of other witnesses of the resurrection as well. Second, he does not want for his disciples to leave Jerusalem until the Spirit of Truth comes, because He will guide them into all truth, including the writing of the gospels. Third, Jesus wants for them to be His witnesses world-wide once they are equipped with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Finally, He leaves as a mystery the coming of the Kingdom of Israel, but instead focuses them on something more important which is the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Daily Prayer: Father into your hands rests the future of all men, whether or not they know you. But to those who know you, give us the power by your Spirit to be the sons of God which is the inheritance from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To that end, let us serve him all the days of our lives. In His name I pray Amen.