A Study of Acts: Fulfulling the Great Commision

Chapter One: Waiting

The first chapter of Acts begins where the Gospels left off, with Jesus returning to heaven and the apostles waiting in Jerusalem. They were waiting in Jerusalem because the Lord had told them to wait for the gift from the Father, and in waiting they took a first step towards the understanding that had eluded them up to this time.

From the gospel records we know that time and again Jesus told the disciples that he would be put to death and rise on the third day, but they didn’t understand. Just hours before his death Jesus again told them what was about to happen and where he would go after he was risen. "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." (Mark 14:27-28 NIV) This too they didn’t understand for rather than go to Galilee, they stayed in Jerusalem thinking all was lost. Even after the risen Christ appeared to Mary and then to two other disciples, the apostles still did not understand. It took Jesus standing in their midst to convince them that he was indeed risen from the dead and that there was more work yet to be done.

Is it then any wonder that during the forty days after his resurrection, whenever Jesus appeared to his apostles, he repeatedly gave them instructions on what they were to do next. In Mark the sixteenth chapter, on the day of his resurrection Jesus appeared to the apostles while they were eating and said, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." And then again on a mountain top in Galilee he said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 28:18-20 NIV) The apostle John tells us of another occasion by the Sea of Galilee when Jesus said to Peter, "Feed my sheep." Finally, from the pen of Luke we read these words that Jesus spoke to the Eleven, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:46-49 NIV)

This then is the back drop to the opening chapter of Acts. After nearly three and a half years of training leading up to the crucifixion and now forty days of repeated admonitions, Jesus gives the apostles one last charge , "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." (Acts 1:4-5 NIV)

Had they learned? Did they understand now? Were they ready to carry out the work he was leaving for them to do? Had they finally gotten the big picture? Read on.

As Jesus, the Eleven and others of his disciples were standing on the Mount of Olives, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6 NIV) Had they learned? Did they understand now? Were they ready? Sadly they proved that they were still lacking understanding. Even as Jesus was about to be taken up into Heaven, these Israelite men could still think of The Kingdom only in nationalistic terms. And so it was with one last rebuke, one last promised blessing and one last repeated commission, Jesus was taken from their sight.

This is where most Hollywood movies roll the credits and put up the words "The End", but thankfully the Spirit had much more to write about. He wasn’t finished with these men yet. Jesus had just completed his earthly mission, but their mission was just beginning. To borrow from Paul Harvey, "You’ve read the headlines, now here’s the rest of the story."

Something evolutionary happened. These men who, just forty days earlier had been distraught, fearful, unsure and full of remorse did something very uncharacteristic. These same men who fought over who was the greatest, these same men who failed to heal because they failed to pray were changed. These same men who just flunked their final exam given to them by the greatest teacher who ever lived, did something that transformed them and prepared them for what would happen in just ten short days. They got down on their knees and with one voice prayed to their Father in Heaven. What an example for modern day disciples! Praying not fighting. What a concept!

One of their number had not learned this simple lesson. It never occurred to Judas that even he could have been forgiven. It never entered his mind that the Christ whom he betrayed had died for his sins as well. He chose suicide over prayer. But then, don’t we all risk spiritual suicide when we fail to pray.

Peter, James, John, the rest of the Eleven, along with about a hundred and nine other believers did pray. Through prayer they were able to know the will of the Lord and select a replacement for Judas. Through prayer they were able to come to a new understanding. Through prayer they were able to empty themselves of envy and strife, fear and uncertainty. Through prayer they became empty clay vessels into which God could pour His spirit. In prayer they waited on God.

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A Study of Acts:

Fulfilling the Great Commission