Holy Spirit Promised in Jerusalem

Acts 1:1-11

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them 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. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating 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. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But 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." 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They 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 into heaven."

Key Words Defined: Jerusalem and Samaritans

Jerusalem is sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam because God chose the location for His divine kingship and His vice-regents.[1]

Samaritan: Samaritans are born from the Assyrian capture of Israel’s Northern Tribes.[2] In 1 Kings 20:1-13, Ben-Hadad fought against Ahab in Samaria, which confirms that Samaria was originally an Israelite location. In 2 Kings 17:7-40 explains Israel was taken into exile to Assyria. The Samaritans became a racial mixture of Israelites and various other ancient Near Eastern people.[3] They were despised by the full-blooded Jews. Although, some Jews were left behind, they became known as Samaritans.

The Book of Acts and Luke are written to Theophilus. Luke does not provide much information about him. In the second volume, Luke provides accounts of the Apostles. He follows them through hardships, persecution, and expansion of the Good News. The Book of Luke and Acts are almost a continuous account. Luke ends with Jesus’ ascension, but Acts begins with Jesus’ resurrection. He walked with the believers for forty days.

Jesus was crucified during the time of Passover, which takes place in March/April. The time of the Ascension was weeks before the First fruits celebration which takes place in April. Jerusalem would have many visitors during this time. The timing was ripe to continue the Good News as the First fruit celebration is occurring. It is reasonable that Jesus encouraged them to remain in Jerusalem until they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity; God the Father, Jesus the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit.

Will you take the Good News to the ends of the earth? How about across the street? It is time for us to also step out on faith and proclaim the Good News from the roofs, mountaintops, and beyond.    

Bibliography

“Acts.” In Zondervan Handbook to the Bible, 643-673. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009.

Constable, Thomas L. “2 Kings.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 537-588. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.

Scott, Jr., J. Julius. Jewish Background of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1995.

Tan, Randall K. J. and Brian T. Stachowski. “Jerusalem.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 873-878. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Toussaint, Stanley D. “Acts.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 349-432. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.

[1] Randall K. J. Tan and Brian T. Stachowski, “Jerusalem,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 873-878.

[2] J. Julius Scott, Jr. Jewish Background of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1995), 60.

[3] Thomas L. Constable, “2 Kings,” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. (Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984), 572.