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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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THE PURPOSE OF
THE CHURCH Acts 1:6-11
(4/14/13) Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. QUESTION ON THE RESTORATION OF THE KINGDOM (6) A. The Designated Disciples 1. In Christ’s final post-resurrection appearance (also recorded
in Lk 24:44-49), the disciples who had “come together” (hoi sunelthontes - lit. the ones who had come together,
descriptive) had already become a designated group chosen by Christ Ac
1:2). 2. These eleven would be the church’s
apostles who were the first official appointees (1Co 12:28), the foundation
of the church and truth (Ep 2:20), and the commissioned witnesses of the
Gospel (Ac 1:8). B. Restoration of the Mediatorial Kingdom 1. They began to ask about the time of the kingdom’s restoration.
Although Christ would divert their attention to their true purpose, it was
understandable why they would be concerned about the restoration of the
Mediatorial Kingdom (Lk 24:21). 2. Christ talked at length about the aspect
of the coming kingdom (Lk 17:20; 19:11; 21:31). 3. The OT revealed a Universal Kingdom of
God under God’s sovereign rule and reign over the world (Ps 145:13; Da 4:34) and under
a restored Mediatorial Kingdom of Christ on the earth (Is 9:6; 11:1-11). 4. Note that the disciples were thinking in
terms of restoring the Mediatorial Kingdom to Israel. They were Jews
reasoning from the Scriptures. II. ANSWER ON THE RESTORATION OF THE KINGDOM
(7-8) A. The Time of the Kingdom Unknown (7) 1. Eschatology Not Forbidden a) Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ question
is noteworthy in that He does not correct them by saying, “Israel will not be
restored.” In fact, Israel and its kingdom will be restored
according to the covenant that was made with Israel (Je 31:34). b) It should also be
pointed out that Jesus was not rebuking them for their interest in
eschatology (study of future things). The Scriptures, including Jesus’ own
teaching often referred to future times and events (Mt 16:27-28; 24:27, 30,
37, 43-44; 25:31; Mk 8:38; 13:26; Lk 17:20; 21:24; Jn 14:3). c) In fact, in a few verses further, the
angels will allude to Christ’s second coming, “This Jesus …will come in just the same way as you
have watched Him go into heaven” (Ac 1:11). d) The book of Acts contains several
references by the apostles on eschatology and its importance to the gospel
(Ac 2:17-21; 3:20-21; 10:42). 2. Timeframe Unknown a) Jesus’ point was that the knowledge of the
timeframe of the restoration of the kingdom was not theirs (oux humōn)
to know. Jesus taught this while He was among His disciples (Mt 24:36; Mk
13:32). b) The knowledge, authority (exousia - right and power), and timeframe (“times and epochs” chromos - time or period of time, chronology; kairos - measure of time, season) of the restoration of the kingdom was
that of the Father’s. It remains the same today. c) Jesus will reiterate for the disciples
that their purpose, as the Father allowed, was to preach the gospel and
further the kingdom of God on earth at present. B. The Purpose of the Church (8) 1. Receive the Holy Spirit and Power a) Signified by the conjunction “but” ( alla - by contrast
or difference), instead of being preoccupied by the timeframe of the
coming kingdom, the disciples were to be preoccupied with being witnesses for
the risen Savior. b) It could only take place when they were
divinely empowered (“power” dunamis - produce strong effect, might, or strength, Eng. “dynamite”) by the Holy Spirit. This would take
place when the Holy Spirit came in a special ministry sense to the church.
This would be the birth of the church, the permanent indwelling of the Spirit
(1Co 6:19), baptism into the body of Christ (1Co 12:13), enlightenment of
Scripture (Jn 14:26; 15:26; 1Jn 2:27), and the empowerment to live the
Christian life (Php 3:10; Ep 3:16; 2Ti 1:7). 2. Become Witnesses a) Initially the task would begin with the apostles
who witnessed the resurrected Christ. It would then continue to be fulfilled by those who placed their faith in Christ through
the apostle’s message. b) The word for “witness” is ma,rtus carries the root meaning, “to bear in mind,”
to remember.” In the NT, it was particularly applied
to those who witnessed Christ’s death and resurrection, announcing the truth
of the gospel. Since those who announced the gospel became subject to
persecution to the point of death, the
term “martyr” took on the meaning of those who suffered death for confessing
Christ (Ac 22:20; Re 17:6). c) All believers are commissioned and
empowered to testify to the truth of the gospel boldly and consistently (Mt
4:19; 28:18-20; Mk 1:17; 16:15; 2Co 5:18-20; 1Pe 3:15). 3. Evangelize the World a) Acts 1:8 is not only the key verse of
Acts, but also an outline of the book (Ac 1:1-7:60 - Jerusalem, Ac 8:1-12:25
- Judea and Samaria, and Ac 13:1-28:31 - remotest part of the earth (Roman
Empire). b) It is also the scope to which all
believers are to minister the gospel, i.e. locally, surrounding areas, and
the world. III. CHRIST’S ASCENSION AND PROMISED RETURN
(9-11) A. Ascension of Christ (9) 1. After Christ said these things, He was
“lifted up” (epairō - raised or elevated up) into heaven while they watched. This
is the Ascension of Christ, which has tremendous theological importance. 2. It marks the end of His humiliation (Php
2:7-8) and the beginning of His exaltation (Php 2:9-10). It was the end of
His earthly ministry and the beginning of His Post-Ascension ministry: Sender
of the Holy Spirit (Jn 15:26; 16:7), Advocate (1Jn 2:1), Intercessor (Ro
8:34; He 7:25), Head of the church (Ep 1:22-23), and Preparer of heaven (Jn
14:3). B. Promise of Christ’s Return (10-11) 1. The disciples were “gazing” (atenizō - stare or fix one’s eyes upon) so intently at their departing Lord,
that they never noticed the angels that had come alongside and “stood” (vs, 10, pluperfect tense - paristēmi - place alongside, place at someone’s disposal). They were dressed in white clothing,
descriptive of angels (Lk 24:4 cf. Mt 28:3-5). 2. The angels asked the disciples why they
were “standing” (perfect tense - histemi) looking into the sky because “this same Jesus” (houtos ho Iēsous)
would return. The Father would not send another. He would be the same One who
died on the cross and rose from the dead. He would be the same One who is the
High Priest in heaven preparing a place for believers. 3. He will come in the “same way” (tropos - manner or fashion) that He
ascended, that is, at His Second Coming, He will in the clouds (Mt 24:30;
26:64; Re 1:7; 14:14) to the Mount of Olives (Zc 14:4). 4. It will be at the time of His Second
Coming that Jesus will restore and establish His Mediatorial (Millennial)
Kingdom (Re 20:6). The disciples have the promise of a restored kingdom, but
not the exact time. For they have their mission in the meantime. And so do we. IV. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS A. Is it wrong to study eschatology (the
study of future things)? No, not at all. The Scriptures,
Jesus, the angels, and the apostles all reveal and teach future events. These
are promises for the believer. However, the believer is not to stand gazing
at future events. He is to keep busy with the mission of being a witness and
furthering God’s kingdom. We see then that the believer is to be busy for the
Lord until He returns. His return is our motivation and our reward. It is the
motivation in the sense that we would not want to be found
merely standing and gazing when He returns. His return is the believer’s
reward when he hears the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Mt
25:21). B. We are well equipped for this task. We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit and we are
empowered by the Holy Spirit. Christ promised to be with us until the end of
the age. He presently is our Head of the church, High Priest, Advocate, and
Intercessor. In fact, to say we cannot do it, is to
give the most unreasonable excuse under God’s Universal Kingdom. |
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