Acts 1:4-11

While he was staying with them- “while he was salting with them.” Staying long enough to eat. Hang out with each other. Do life together. 

Jesus tells the disciples to go and wait based on what I have said, the promise of the Father, and you heard John tell about it = three witnesses. 

The disciples hear the receiving of the Holy Spirit and think Jesus is going to establish a physical kingdom now. All through the OT there were hints of the pouring out of the Spirit and with that is promised peace for Israel. It’s a leap for us, but makes perfect sense for the disciples to think this way. 

Is 32:14-18, Ez 36:27-28; 39:28-29

It does indicate that they still aren’t listening to Jesus’ teaching that the Kingdom is spiritual and will be slow in growth. Opinions long held and frequently repeated are hard to release and unlearn. 

Jesus didn’t tells them they were wrong. He tells them not to worry about it and to focus on the roll they have to play in the coming Kingdom. 

They ask, “Jesus, is now when you flex your might and take over the world?” He says, “No, it’s when I give you my power and you invade the world with my Kingdom.”

The disciples picked up on something we don’t hear. Their question probably had pleading to bring his Kingdom quickly because the way they had heard Jesus talk about it was scary and hard. Jesus doesn’t say wait for the Spirit you heard the prophets talk about. He says the spirit you heard me talk about and John used the phrase “baptized in the Spirit and fire.” This would not have meant zeal to them. It would have meant tearing and trial. Jesus spoke of rejection and persecution-John 15:18-16:7 

“Salvation is given in order to be shared.” -John Stott 

Jesus tells them they are not ready. It’s going to be so much harder than you think, but God has the answer for that problem. This was not a suggestion for just the shy people. This was a command for all of the followers. It is for us now as much as it was for those disciples. We make the mistake of thinking that the work depends on us when Jesus said it depends on His Spirit. 

Disciples make disciples. Believers who never point anyone else toward Jesus are not being disciples. 

Jesus ascends. He was taken up in a cloud of glory. This references the glorious presence of God like on Sinai and the mount of transfiguration. They are so stunned that they are frozen and speechless. 

Just as “ends of the earth” is picture language since the globe does not have ends.