Significance of the Ascension

Studying Acts 1:9-11 gave me an opportunity to think about the ascension of Jesus. The ascension of Jesus is rarely talked about today. But, it is full of significance. Here are 6 ways to see the importance of the ascension of Jesus.

1. The ascension is a necessary corollary to the resurrection. If someone denied the ascension, they would have to say that either Jesus is still on earth or that He died again at a later time. Belief in the resurrection necessitates belief in the ascension.

2. The ascension assured the disciples that the physical appearances were over. The ascension allowed the disciples to get busy with the work they had been called to do.

3. The ascension is a demonstration of God’s power. Think about it: the ascension of Jesus is just as miraculous as the resurrection.

4. The ascension is representative of Jesus’ exaltation to the right hand of God the Father. How did Jesus get to the place of power and authority? Answer: He ascended there. Now, Jesus intercedes for us continually before the Father. Jesus is our continual advocate. We know this because He ascended. Phil. 2:9: “God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name above every name.”

5. The ascension distinguishes the Son from the Spirit. The Son ascended and the Spirit was sent by the Son to continue His work. This is another pointer to the Trinitarian nature of God.

6. The ascension foreshadows Jesus return. Jesus will return in the same way He was taken up (Acts 1:11).

Thank God for the ascension of Jesus Christ. Because He is ascended, we know He is indeed the center of the universe. He can be trusted and His work continues.

Whose "Acts" are Revealed in Acts?

My church is studying through Acts on Wednesday evenings. Tonight, I'm going to argue that instead of "Acts of the Apostles," it should be called, "The Acts of the Risen Jesus Through the Spirit in the Lives of His Apostles."

I'm not trying to be novel. Just trying to be faithful to what the book is about.

The Content of Christian Preaching

As I read through Acts in January and February, I jotted down each time the content of the apostles' preaching was mentioned. I'm not surprised by what I found. Here is a summary of my findings:

2:36 – The crucified Jesus is both Lord and Christ.
3:15 – You killed the Author of Life.
4:2 – They were proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection.
4:12 – Salvation in no other name.
5:31 – Jesus is Leader and Savior.
5:42 – They did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
8:5 – Philip proclaimed to them the Christ.
8:25 – they returned to Jerusalem preaching the gospel.
8:35 – Philip told him the good news about Jesus.
8:40 – Philip passed through preaching the gospel.
9:20 – Saul immediately proclaimed Jesus.
11:19 – Those who were scattered spoke the word.
11:20 – They were preaching the Lord Jesus.
14:7 – Paul and Barnabas continued to preach the gospel.
14:21 – They preached the gospel.
15:35 – Paul and Barnabas remained preaching the word of the Lord.
15:36 – They proclaimed the word of the Lord.
16:10 – God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
17:18 – Paul was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.

28:23 – Paul tried to convince them about Jesus.

Preacher: How would you summarize the content of your preaching?

Church member: How would you summarize the content of the preaching you hear?

Church Growth

After Ananias and Sapphira are killed by the Lord, Luke records a strange church growth strategy.

Everyone was afraid (Acts 5:11) and, "None of the rest dared join them" (Acts 5:13).

The result of this fear: Multitudes of both men and women believe in the Lord (Acts 5:14)!