YOUTH STS LESSON 177 PREPARATION FOR THE SPIRIT’S DESCENT

TEXT: Acts 1:1-26. MEMORY VERSE: “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me” (Acts 1:4).

The Acts of the Apostles is a very important book to the Church today. It gives the history of the early church from the ascension of Christ to the period of Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. It provides the link between the Gospels and the Epistles. The Acts of Apostles provides the knowledge on how the church of Christ is to be united, administered and organised to accomplish the task of evangelising the world. The focus of the book is the place of the Holy Spirit’s power in the Church for the purpose of witnessing for Christ. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The book sets forth the divinely chosen method of the work of the ministry- evangelising, teaching, preaching, healing, caring and the appointment of qualified ministers.

Question 1: Who wrote the book of Acts?

It has been affirmed that Luke, the physician, was the inspired writer of Acts of the Apostles. He also wrote the book of Luke. This is because both books were dedicated or written to “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1). Theophilus was a man of high rank in the Roman world but a convert of the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 1:1-4). The purpose of Luke’s writing was “That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” (Luke 1:4). The disciples, in total obedience to Christ’s charge, went to the upper- room in Jerusalem, prayed and waited for the outpouring, of the Holy Spirit. However, before the outpouring, there was need to replace Judas Iscariot with someone to take over his ministry, according to the Scriptures. “For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take” (Acts 1:20). Barsabas and Matthias were appointed but Matthias was chosen (Acts 1:23-26).

CHRIST’S RESURRECTION, ASCENSION AND HIS RETURN (Acts 1:1-3,6,7, 9-11; Matthew 27:66; 28:1-8; Luke 24:36-48; John 20:19,20; Acts 2:31-33; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51- 54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). Theophilus believed and Luke systematically declared the whole counsel to him (verses 1-3). Our Christian faith should rest on the truth about Christ’s resurrection. The Christian life starts with faith in Christ’s death and resurrection, and those who believe should systematically be taught all the counsel of God (Acts 20:27; Matthew 28:19,20).

Question 2: What are the proofs that Jesus Christ rose from the dead? Support your answers with Scriptures.

“But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people” (Acts 13:30-31). Christ’s literal appearances, within the post-resurrection forty days and the activities He engaged in stand as infallible or undeniable proofs of His resurrection. He appeared to His disciples at different times in different places (Matthew 28:7-10; Luke 24:13-16; John 20:11-17; 20:26-28; 21:1,4-14). Paul also said that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren (1 Corinthians 15:6). Much later, He appeared to Paul the apostle (1 Corinthians 15:8). Even the angel at the grave testified that Jesus was no more there (Mark 16:5,6). All these prove the comments of the chief priests that His disciples stole Him away in the night to be false (Matthew 28:11-15). However, His resurrection gave opportunity for His disciples to ask questions about His kingdom. In verses three, six and seven of our text, Christ’s conversation with His disciples was on “the kingdom of God” and not on “the kingdom to Israel. Jesus’ special instructions to the disciples at this period were pertaining to the kingdom of God, which “…is not meat and drink but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). The kingdom of God is eternal and therefore greater than the earthly kingdom. Today, allow Christ to reign and rule in your heart and this will afford you the privilege of staying with Him forever. This is a spiritual kingdom of Christ (Luke 17:20,21). The physical kingdom is when He will rule and reign without a rival during the millennial reign (Isaiah 9:6,7; Revelation 20:1-7)

Question 3: How can a youth be part of Christ’s kingdom now?

“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). To be a part of Christ’s kingdom, a youth must repent and believe the gospel of the kingdom. Our citizenship is in heaven. Our desire and preparation should be on how to get there instead of fighting for earthly kingdom (Philippians 3:20,21). The clear teaching of the Scripture is that Jesus Christ ascended from the earth into heaven. The ascension signified two things:

One, it demonstrates the heavenly nature of Christ and the divine nature of His ministry on earth.
Two, the ascension is our assurance of His Second Coming. At that time, He shall return to the earth in the same manner (Revelation 1:7). The Second Coming of Christ has two phases: the rapture of the saints and the Second Coming of Christ. The rapture is the catching away of the saints to meet the Lord in the air. However, the dead in Christ will rise first. The purpose of the rapture of the saints include:
One, to gather all the saints together to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:1-11);
Two, to receive the reward for their labour (2 Corinthians 5:8-10);
Three, to take the saints to Himself (John 14:1-3);
Four, to change the bodies of living saints from mortality to immortality (1 Corinthians 15:51-58);
Five, to take the saints out of this world before the great tribulation commences (2 Thessalonians 2:1,7,8);
Six, to resurrect all the just and righteous people who died in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-16); and
Seven, to fulfil Christ’s prophecy and promise to the saints (John 14:1-3).
At the rapture, every true Christian living righteously, walking in the light will be “caught up” to be with Christ. To be a partaker of this glorious event, one must be saved, maintain a holy walk in Christ up to the time of the rapture or death, have supreme love for and be involved in the service of the Lord, especially soul-winning (1 John 3:1-3; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; John 9:1-4). This is the time to prepare to meet your God (Amos 4:12). The Second Coming will be as real and physical as the ascension was. The Scripture says, He “shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). It shall be visible; for “every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7). Finally, the Second Coming will be a glorious and triumphant one just as Christ triumphed over all things in His ascension (Revelation 5:5). Then He shall usher in His eternal reign as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. The final triumph of the Lord in His glorious appearing signifies believer’s glorious triumph. The Church awaits the rapture. Most of the signs for the Second Coming have been fulfilled. The end is at hand. Are you ready for the coming of the Lord?

CHRIST’S COMMAND AND THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Acts 1:4,5,8; Luke 3:16; 24:49; John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13; Acts 2:1- 4,38,39; 10:44-48; Luke 11:13)
“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me” (Acts 1:4). The Holy Spirit’s power to individual believer, as well as to the Church as a whole is important. Receiving this power demands biblical preparations. The mission of Christ and that of the Church is to seek and save souls (Luke 19:10). To effectively fulfill this mission, there is need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Before Christ’s ascension, He commanded the desciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promised power from the Father (Luke 24:49).

Question 4: What does it mean to “wait” according to Acts 1:4

To wait means holding on in prayer with earnest expectation to receive the promised power. As John the Baptist preached repentance and baptized those who believed through his preaching, Christ will baptize those who are saved, sanctified, surrendered, separated and steadfastly waiting for the experience of baptism in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11).

Question 5: What is the purpose of being baptized in the Holy Spirit?

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The main purpose of being baptized in the Holy Spirit is for believers to “be witnesses unto me (Christ)”.

The ministries of the Holy Spirit are directing evangelistic outreaches, confirming the word, guiding into all truth, teaching, inspiring and filling with joy, peace and boldness. He also comforts, counsels and intercedes for saints. Verse eight of our text reveals the strategy of carrying out the great commission by the Church. The Lord revealed that the witnessing should start in Jerusalem, then in all Judea and Samaria and “unto the uttermost part of the earth”. The early church followed this plan and pattern as given by the Lord and fulfilled the great commission in their time. It is now our turn and time to reach out to our schools and society with the gospel. Pray for the infilling of the power, love, vision, compassion, commitment and zeal to reach lost youths around you. “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?”

CHRISTIAN’S READINESS FOR THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 1:12-26; Joel 2:28; Acts 1:4,8; 2:1-4; 4:31; Luke 11:13; Isaiah 44:3)
“Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey” (Acts 1:12). After Christ’s departure, the eleven apostles with other disciples numbering one hundred and twenty, went to the upper-room in Jerusalem. The action of obedience exemplified by the disciples, is a pattern for all Christian youths today. Obedience to the Lord’s command precedes divine blessing. To receive anything from the Lord we must meet His conditions.

Question 6: What are the conditions for receiving the Holy Spirit?

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” (Acts 1:14). In readiness for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the disciples spent time in “prayer and supplication”. They were also in “One accord”. This implied that they were united; an evidence that Christ’s prayer for their sanctification had been answered (John 17:17,20). From the above, we learn that in readiness for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Christian youths need:
(1) Pardon and forgiveness of sin.
(2) Purity of heart and life. A polluted heart and life is not fit for the gift of God.
(3) Persistence in prayer.
(4) Perseverance in pursuit.
(5) Purpose of heart.

A clear understanding of the Lord’s intension for pouring out His Spirit will determine whether we partake of the promise or not. The disciples in the upper-room knew why they were waiting. The Holy Spirit is given for effective witnessing. The Holy Spirit is still relevant to us today. We must, therefore, seek the Lord “Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest” (Isaiah 32:15). In verses 16,17, Peter reflected on the final scene in the life of Judas Iscariot.

He made reference to what the Holy Spirit had inspired David to pen down in the book of Psalms (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). From our text, two things are made very clear concerning Judas and his act of betrayal. First, his act was remembered. Second, his act was repaid. When Judas came with a band of soldiers to take the Lord, none of the disciples detected his prank. But now Peter said, “Judas, which was a guide to them that took Jesus” (Acts 1:6). “For it is written in the book of Psalms, let his habitation be another take” (Acts 1:20). The prophecy concerning Jesus’ betrayal was desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let already predicted in Scriptures, but the person to betray Him was not mentioned. However, Judas, one of the twelve chose to fulfil negative prophecy. Although he was saved, he backslid to the point of betraying his Lord and Master. There is no eternal security for backsliders and apostates. No one can be eternally saved neither can any one eternally keep his God-given position, who forsakes the Lord and strays back to the world.

Question 7: Who replaced Judas Iscariot?

“Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection?” (Acts 1:21,22). The principle applied in replacing Judas is instructive to the Church today. The choice or appointment was based on conversion, continuity, commitment and constancy in following the Lord. The disciples looked for people with both past testimony and present experience. Both are exceptionally important for any youth who wants to be useful in the Church, School Fellowship, Youth Home Success Fellowship and Christian service in general. Joseph called Barsabas and Matthias were “Men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us” and they continued “unto that same day that he was taken up from us.”