Jesus' Spectacular Departure

Acts 1:1-1:11In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men 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. - Acts 1:1-1:3

With this passage begins the book of Acts, and with this passage our church began a journey that will last more than half a year.

The author was Luke, and the "former book" mentioned is what we call the Gospel of Luke. Luke was a physician, someone careful to observe detail, especially with regards to medical issues. At the same time, Luke was selective, sometimes mentioning things that take up years in a brief sentence.


In the Book of Acts, Luke chronicles the history of the early church. Like the rest of the Bible, he lays it all out, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Here he summarizes some things from the end of his previous book - in particular, Jesus' post-resurrection appearences.

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. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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." - Acts 1:4-8

Here Jesus promises things that we will see in vivid detail throughout the Book of Acts, and past this up to the church today. He promises the Holy Spirit, and he promises power that comes with the Holy Spirit. This power provides the ability to live a life pleasing to God and provides strength to be witnesses despite hardship and persecution.

There is a growing spread of the gospel described here - first in a small region, the city of Jerusalem, then in a larger area, the regions of Judea and Samaria, and then to the entire world. We will see this progression in the Book of Acts.

What does it mean to be a witness? It means to say what you saw, heard, and experienced. The disciples were witnesses of Jesus' resurrection appearences and of things He did prior to His resurrection. What about us? Are we witnesses?

Yes, although not of the same things. We are witnesses of the power of Christ in our lives. Our changed lives are witnesses of His power to mend the broken, to heal the hurting, and to bring new life to the "dead." We are witnesses of these things in our own lives and in the lives of those in our ekklesia, our church community.

We are also witnesses of the truth of the gospel. Witnesses are messengers, as we will see throughout Acts. The message of the witnesses in Acts and our message is exactly the same: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death. For God so loved the world that all who believe on Him will not perish but have eternal life. Repent and turn to Christ, having faith in Him to make you declared righteous and to help you live a new life in Him.

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. - Acts 1:9

I love to imagine this scene. This really happened! How astonishing! Not only the wind and waves obey Him, but even, somehow, the air, His body, even the very laws of physics.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "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." - Acts 1:10-11

I read this and am reminded to stop looking into the sky. "Men of Clemson," I can imagine, "why do you stand here just looking at your Bible?" "It's time to move on, to obey Him in all things, to do what He said to do." For the disciples it was waiting in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. For us, it is to live for Him and share the gospel with all who will listen.