Acts is the sequel to Luke’s Gospel. In that previous writing he told what Jesus began to do and teach. But Jesus said that he would be with us always. Jesus is still doing and teaching mightily in the Holy Spirit.
Jesus showed his followers that he was still alive after his passion (suffering). Death could not hold him. He revealed himself to be more than a spirit. Jesus lived on in flesh and blood, even eating and drinking with his disciples (Acts 10:41; Luke 24:42).
He continued to teach them about the Kingdom of God. It seems that his disciples nevertheless still held some false expectations concerning the Kingdom. As Jesus told them about the promise of the Father, the gift of the Spirit, his disciples naturally thought about the end of the age. The coming of the Spirit and the Messianic age are tied in OT prophecy (Isa 32; Ezek 39:29; Joel 2:28-32). So, the disciples asked about the timing of its arrival. Would their prayers that “thy will be done” be answered immediately? Jesus simply tells them that it is not for them to know when. Their duty was to wait for the “Promise of the Father,” the one spoken of by John the Baptist (Luke 3:16). They would receive power from on high and become God’s witnesses to the entire world.
Their witness began at Jerusalem, moved to Samaria, and continues into the “uttermost part of the earth.” This is the program for the book of Acts and the spread of Christianity: first power, then witness, beginning with Jerusalem and ending in the most remote regions of the globe (1-7; 8-11:18; 11:19-29:1 f.).
Jesus reaffirmed the promise of the Father, and then God’s Shekinah glory is witnessed by his people once again (Ex 40:34-35; 2 Chron 7:2-3; Ezek 10:4). Jesus ascends on clouds of glory, leaving behind heavenly messengers to assure God’s earthly messengers that Jesus will return just as he left – in clouds of glory (Mat 24:30; 26:64; Mark 13:26; Rev 1:7). This promised coming is an important part of the Christian message. The Savior is returning in glory to judge the human race. We too must spread the glorious message of his Kingdom and love in the power of the Spirit.
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