Lesson Context: Jesus told his disciples the work that they were to do. The apostles met together at Jerusalem, Christ having ordered them not to depart thence, but wait for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. This would be the baptism by the Holy Ghost, giving them power to work miracles, and enlightening and sanctifying their souls. This confirms the Divine promise, and encourages us to depend upon it, that we have heard it from Christ, for in Him the promises of God are “Yes” and “Amen.”
Promise Number 1 (Acts 1:1-5):
Looking Back (vv. 1-3). “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus.” The gospel of Luke (which is the former treatise) and the book of Acts are both addressed to a certain Theophilus. Theophilus: This man might have been a Christian wanting instruction. He might have been a Roman official being briefed by Luke about the history of the Christian movement. Or, the name could be symbolic, because the name Theophilus means “God-lover.”
V. 1b. “Of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” Notice that the former account concerned all that Jesus began both to do and teach. Luke’s Gospel describes only the beginning of Jesus’ work; Acts describes the continuation; and the work Jesus continues to our present day.
V. 2. “Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen.” Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, instructed the apostles regarding what to do in His absence. He had given commandment to the apostles. Significantly, Jesus did this through the Holy Spirit. This was the resurrected, glorified Lord Jesus Christ, risen with all authority and sovereignty. Yet, He still chose to not rely on His own resources (as it were), but relied on the power and presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit – the Third Member of the Holy Trinity-is the aspect of God that lives and empowers and inspires man. The Holy Spirit has among those who are not yet believers, but also a great and significant work in those who believe.
V. 3 “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” He left no possible doubt that He was resurrected, exactly as He had promised. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul described one of these many infallible proofs: He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remains to the present. More than 500 people saw the resurrected Jesus, and most of them were still alive some 25 years later in the days of Paul’s ministry.
Promise Number 2 (Acts 1:6-8):
v. 6 Lingering Question. “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”
This was a question asked many times before, but it had a special relevance now. They knew that Jesus had instituted the New Covenant (Luke 22:20). They also knew that the restoration of the kingdom of Israel was part of the New Covenant (as seen in Jeremiah 23:1-8, Ezekiel 36:16-30, Ezekiel 37:21-28).
V. 7 Exasperated Response. “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.” Jesus warned the disciples about inquiring into the aspects and timing of God’s kingdom because those things belong to God the Father alone.
But you shall receive power. But they would soon receive power with the coming of the Holy Spirit.
References: Enduring Word Commentary, KJV 2022-2023 International Sunday School Lessons