Reading for June 24th

Read Acts 1.1-11. In 1.1-26: Awaiting the promise. In 1.1-11:The exaltation of Jesus. In verses 1-5: These verses provide a resumption of the story as it ends in the first book of The Gospel according to Luke and anticipate the first episodes of Acts 2: The apostles whom he had chosen were specifically the twelve (Lk 6.13; 9.1; 22.30), now without Judas (1.16-17). In verse 3: Luke 24 indicates that both physical signs and scriptural interpretation are combined in these convincing proofs, entailing appearances and persuasive witness to the kingdom of God with Jesus attested as the messiah of this dominion straight through Acts (28.31). In verse 4: The promise of the father was given at Pentecost (2.1-47; see v. 33). In verse 5: On the contrast between Jesus' baptism with water and the baptism with the Holy Spirit, (see also Lk 3.16-17, 21-22; Acts 18.25; 19.2-6). In verse 6: Israel hoped God would accomplish the restoration in accord with the prophetic promises (Isa 49.6; Jer 29.14) In verse 7: The promised restoration is assumed, but the times or periods that the father has set are not open to human knowledge, except that the kingdom is near (Mk 13.32; Lk 21.31). In verse 8: This power is a sign of divine authority (4.7), the agency of the Holy Spirit, not the apostles themselves, but their office is that of witnesses to Jesus' resurrection (1.22). Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria, are the geographic locations of the opening chapters. The ends of the earth are prophetic symbols of Israel's renewed divine calling (Isa 49.6). In verse 9: The cloud is a sign of divine presence (Lk 9.34). In verse 10: The two men are again heavenly witnesses (Lk 24.4). In verse 11: In being taken up (1.22), Jesus accomplishes his "departure" (Lk 9.31) and is exalted by God to heavenly rule (Acts 7.56).  Comments or Questions..