Acts 1:1-11

The Christian Message Manifested by the Spirit


Introduction:

Luke is the only gospel writer that presents a description of the Ascension of Christ. He concludes his gospel with a brief report of the Ascension of Christ and he returns to the same subject when writing Acts 1:2 and gives a more detailed account in Acts 1:9-11. Although the Ascension marks the end of the visible ministry of Christ on earth, it begins the ministry of His Church on earth until He returns from glory to establish His eternal kingdom.


  1. THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE

    1. Luke Historian – Theologian

      1. Date AD 62-64

      2. The gospel of Luke tells us what the gospel is and Acts tells us what the gospel does – Luke 1:3,4


    1. The Purpose of the Book

      1. To trace the birth, growth and development of the New Testament Church. Luke dedicates the book to Theophilus

      2. To inform Theophilus and the world that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not restricted to the nation of Israel but to all nations.

      3. To inform and convince Theophilus that no one is able to hinder the progress of the gospel.

    2. The Gospel Message

      1. Is about the redeeming work through Christ of saving sinners on the basis of the sacrificial substitutionary work of Christ on the cross.

      2. Free grace – Rom. 5:9,10

      3. We are Christ’s instruments – ( Robert Murray Mc Cheyne)


  1. THE CHRISTIAN MANIFESTATION

    1. The essential realities of the Christ’s Kingdom – Acts 1:2,9,11,22

      1. Jesus continues to act with all power calling out men and women to build His Kingdom – Matt. 28:18-20

      2. Jesus is in heaven making intercession for us as our High Priest – Heb. 4:15; 7:25

      3. Election – v.2 “He had chosen” (John 15:16; Eph. 1:4)

    2. What is at the heart of God’s Kingdom?

      1. It is the acknowledgement that God is King through Christ – (Acts 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23,31)

      2. It is the message of the gospel to repent and believe the good news – Mark 1:14,15; John 17:14,16


  1. THE CHRISTIAN’S MIGHT

    1. The gift of the Holy Spirit

      1. Baptism with the Holy Spirit has been foreshadowed by the water baptism of John v.5; John 16:13-15

      2. Pentecost (ten days after the Ascension and 50 days after the resurrection) 1:8

    2. Baptism of the Spirit v.5

      1. Baptism of the Spirit is not the same thing as regeneration in this context.

      2. The purpose of Baptism of the Spirit is to empower the church (enablement) Read (Acts 2:1-4) Who receives the Baptism of the Spirit? (Acts 8:14-17; 10:11:1-18; 19:1-7) Note. Time gap between regeneration and Spirit Baptism

      3. We must not lose sight of the fact that Act is a transitional book which emphasizes that Christ died not merely for the Jews but also for the Gentiles – Acts 11:15-17

      4. There are no longer time gaps in the church today regarding the Baptism of the Spirit – I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 5:18; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 6:19-20; Titus 3:5,6

    3. The Power of the Spirit – v.8

      1. Greek word for “power” is dunamis ( our English word dynamite) Luke 1:17, 35; 4:14,36; 9:1; 21:26,27; Acts 2:22; 3:12; 4:33; 6:8; 8:13; 10:38)

      2. Yielding to the Spirit – Col. 3:16

      3. Be careful not to grieve the Spirit – Eph. 4:30

      4. Be filled and controlled by the Spirit – Eph. 5:18








Pastor Nick Iamaio

Reformed Presbyterian Church 207 First Street, Fulton, NY 13069

Web Site fultonrpc.org

5/17/2009