Page 7 - acts_study_book1

The Command to Wait

Act 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart
from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

The formation and development of the church begins in Jerusalem, the very place where Jesus
was rejected, crucified, and became sin and sickness for mankind. The city of the curse now
became the city of blessing to the rest of the world -- Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of
the earth.

The promise of the Father includes both the new birth and the infilling of the Holy Spirit (John
14:12-17; 15:16; 16:7-15).

Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many
days hence.

Matthew 3:11 records John’s prophecy: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but
he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize
you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” John compares his own water baptism of Jesus to the
Spirit Jesus would stand on the day of Pentecost.

Jesus’ Ascension (6-11)

Jesus gives His final instructions to the disciples concerning the Holy Spirit, and they watch while
he ascends into heaven. As the disciples stand gazing, two angels appear and speak to them of
the second coming.

The Establishment of the Kingdom

Act 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at
this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

This is a selfish request because they want Jesus to remove the Roman rulers and usher in the
millennium. Jesus has just finished teaching about the baptism of the Spirit, which is an
introduction to the church age. But the disciples are thinking in terms of the old covenant and
desire the millennial kingdom to be established in the earth.

Act 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the
Father hath put in his own power.

And he said unto them, it is not for you to know the times (chronos) or the seasons (kairos), which
the Father hath put in his own power (exousia).

The Greek word chronos, translated time, refers to the successive time of chronological events
and, more specifically, means each passing moment. This word is typically connected with
history. From this point on, Israel’s history is hidden from the disciples. They don’t know when