Holy Spirit Brings Gospel Power not Earthly Utopia

Acts 1:1-11

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Luke wrote Acts and the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 1:3 it says, “With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,” Theopolis is who Luke has written to in Acts also, “In my former book, Theophilus,…”

• Jesus On Earth for 40 Days After His Resurrection.
• The Promise of the Holy Spirit.
• Holy Spirit Brings Gospel Power not Earthly Utopia.
• Jesus Christ Will Return from Heaven.

Jesus On Earth for 40 Days After His Resurrection.

“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach.”

In the book of Luke, he writes about the beginning of Jesus’s ministry and of everything Christ did and taught, up to the point of when Jesus was taken up through the clouds. In the Gospel of Luke, he wrote about the death of Christ and His resurrection. He also talks about the forty days which Jesus walked on this earth after being raised from the dead, giving undisputable proofs that He is alive. During those forty days, Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God. Luke also tells that the Apostles were given instructions to wait in Jerusalem until they were given the power of the Holy Spirit. This book of Acts begins in the place where they are waiting for the Holy Spirit.

“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 
until the day He was taken up to heaven, 
after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles He had chosen. 
After His suffering, He presented Himself to them
and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive.
He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”
Acts 1:1-3

The Promise of the Holy Spirit.

“For John baptized in water, but in a few days you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit, whom the Apostles were waiting for in Jerusalem, is the power that propelled the Gospel of Christ to global proportions. Before the Holy Spirit, being baptized in water was the sign of committing to God. Of the many people who are baptized in water, none receive the Holy Spirit in that way because it’s only a ceremonial and outward act. The Apostles would be baptized in the Holy Spirit, who is inward and comes with power. There is a huge difference between external definitions of serving Jesus Christ and being defined by the Holy Spirit who lives within.

“On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: 
“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised,
which you have heard me speak about. 
For John baptized in water, but in a few days you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:4-5

Holy Spirit not to Create Earthly Utopia but is for Gospel Power.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.”

Before Christ’s death and resurrection, the Apostles thought that maybe when the Holy Spirit comes, then the Kingdom of God would come on earth. But that is definitely not the case. The Holy Spirit does not come to create an earthly utopia but comes to make us witnesses to the testimony of Jesus Christ. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” Today, there is a thing in this world that has power over physiology and is able to form emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It wants to take the place of the Holy Spirit by establishing emotionally good feelings. It is the mark of the beast, and it opposes the testimony of Jesus Christ. It is what propels national leaders to talk optimistically about a global “democracy” as it strives for an earthly utopia. Often, the date of 2030 is mentioned by global leaders for establishing global goals, but the New Jerusalem is not on an earthly schedule, Jesus says, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority.” Today, the work that the Apostles have done through the Holy Spirit has brought the Gospel to global proportions.

“Then they gathered around Him and asked Him,
“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them: 
“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. 
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; 
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, 
and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:6-8

Jesus Christ Will Return from Heaven.

“This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven,
will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

When Jesus ascended up, He went beyond the reach of a cloud, so far up that He was fading from eyesight. The Apostles were eyewitnesses to that ascension. They were probably saying their last goodbyes to Him, not thinking that they would see Him again. That is when two Angels approached to remind them that His ascension is not a final goodbye, He will return in the same way that He ascended. Again, the Holy Spirit is not for the purpose of creating an earthly utopia, Jesus will return to create a new heaven and earth for the New Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit is to share the Good News of Christ’s death, resurrection, eternal life, and His return.

“After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.  
They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going,
when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky?
This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven,
will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:9-11

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1