To introduce this writing, Luke points the reader back to his “former account” that he made “of all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (1:1-3, see also 1 Corinthians 15:1-8). Of course Luke is referring to the gospel which bears his name where he documented the life and teachings of Jesus Christ including His death, burial, and resurrection. Following Jesus’ resurrection He spent 40 days speaking about the kingdom of God which is defined as God’s rule over all things and is also the “designation for the sphere of salvation” which is entered into at the new birth according to John 3:5-7. When a person puts their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, he is allowing God to set up His ways in his heart and have lordship over all things in his life. This kingdom not only has a current application, but also future implications when Christ will return to earth for 1,000 years and reign in righteousness over all things (millennial reign, see Revelation 20:4-6). At the end of this reign, God will destroy all evil and only those things which are a part of His kingdom will remain (Revelation 20:7-21:4).
Jesus was assembled together with His apostles in Jerusalem and commanded them not to leave until the “promise of the Father” had come. The promise spoken of was given by Christ in John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father and He will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever….” Upon Christ’s departure, God the Holy Spirit would come alongside them and dwell in them to accomplish the work of God (1:4-5). The apostles, still misunderstanding the timing of God’s kingdom, asked Jesus if He was going to “restore the kingdom to Israel” to which He responded that they should not concern themselves with the timing (1:6-7). Instead, soon they would receive power from the Holy Spirit who would enable them to “be witnesses…in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (1:8). In essence, Jesus was leaving them with the incredible responsibility of spreading the message that He died on the cross for the sins of all and those who, by faith, believe in His sacrifice will receive eternal life (John 3:36). The events which follow these introductory verses are a record of the apostles carrying out that mission.
Dear God, teach me what it means to be Your witness and may You use me to effectively communicate salvation through Jesus Christ to all people.
