Sunday, January 1, 2012

Acts 1:1-5

Acts 1:1-5
On one hand, oh Theophilus, I made the first word regarding all that Jesus began to do and even to teach, until that day when he was taken up after commanding through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he selected.  After living with his suffering, he consecrated himself even to them in much clear proof while being seen by them through forty days and while speaking the things regarding the kingdom of God.  And while assembling them he charged them to not depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the announcement of the Father that you all heard from me.  Since on one hand John baptized by water, but on the other hand you all will be baptized in the Holy Spirit after not too many of these days.

Thoughts for Today:

First Thought:

Jesus gave his disciples commands.  We’ll read about them tomorrow, but for today I’m going to instead tell you to turn in your Bible to Matthew 28:18-20 to see what commands those were:
  1. Go.
  2. Make disciples.
  3. Baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  4. Teach them to obey everything Jesus has commanded and taught the disciples.

Want a list of what God expects of you?  That’s a pretty good one to memorize.  Remember, these are not “holy suggestions” made to the properly theologically trained.  These are commands that Jesus gave to a bunch of fisherman and tax collectors that He picked up along the way – many of whom didn’t quite get what He taught the first time Jesus taught it.

So how do you do compared to that list?  What about your parents?  What about your pastor?  What about other adults in your life that should be doing these things?  


Second Thought:

Jesus presented proof that He was really the same Jesus that the disciples knew before the crucifixion.  

What proof do you think Jesus showed them?  What proof might the disciples have asked for?  What proof would you need to ask of Jesus for you to believe that He is real?  What proof do you need from Jesus in order to do what he asks you?


Third Thought:

Jesus promises that His disciples will be baptized by the Holy Spirit.  

Do you know what this means?  If not, who can you ask to find out?  If you do know (or once you find out), have you been baptized by the Holy Spirit?  How do you know?


Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 1:6-11

5 comments:

Leandra said...

:) I like it. It made me think...

PJ said...

Think about ... ?

{I swear, some days you and Brandi are practically the same person. You should read the comment she left on the first post and compare it to yours! LOL}

Leandra said...

Well I really was thinking that everyone who is a disciple of Christ a true disciple is baptized with the holy spirit and that is an awesome thought because anyone can have that

PJ said...

Indeed. I agree with you. I think it is awesome that God promises the Holy Spirit to all who are truly a disciple of Jesus Christ. God doesn't give out the Holy Spirit only to the leaders, or more of the Holy Spirit to the most spiritual, or anything like that. God gives out the full version to everyone who is truly His disciple. That is pretty cool indeed.

But it does leave one pondering ... what does a true disciple look like? That's a pretty tough question there.

Leandra said...

I totally agree