The following write-ups are “homework” from the Timothy Discipleship Group which first began in early December 2016. The bible passage for this Four-Column Study is Acts 1:6-8, which continues to explore the Great Commission and Jesus’ strategy for restoring the Kingdom of God. Throughout this series I will be using the New Living Translation version of the bible.

Passage

“The Father sets those dates,” he replied, “and they are not for you to know. But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 

Paraphrase

 

God knows the answer to your question in terms of the timing of when His Kingdom shall come. Worry about things within your limits and control instead. In due course, God’s presence through the Holy Spirit will enfold you, and empower you to bear witness to everything I (Jesus) have taught and shown you. You will thus be empowered and equipped to bring the Good News to everyone wherever you go throughout the whole world.

 

What is God Showing Me?

 

When reflecting and re-reading this passage, one initial thought was to add in the preceding verse (verse 6) but then, I realised that whilst that context is beneficial, it is also a distraction from the main thrust of these two verses. The focus should remain on Jesus’ words and what He wants us to focus on.

Indeed, the disciples were asking about God’s plans for restoring Israel, and very much focus on an earthly concept of kingdom, but God through Jesus was clear in his directing them away from that line of thinking. The same principle thus applies to me here – focus on God’s Kingdom here on earth, in the way that He empowers us to do so. Do not worry about timing or asking about the “why”, but instead focus on God’s message – the Good News/Gospel.

There is simplicity in Jesus’ instruction to the disciples, and us, today’s modern world believers. Go and spread the news. Do not get distracted by asking the wrong questions, but focus on the core of the message and who Jesus is. In telling the world about Jesus, we need to be confident that we know what His message is.

 

How is the Message being Communicated?

As per the Four-Column Study index, this section and the question can be posed in the form of:

Where/How is the message about Jesus moving?

The answer, for these verses being studied, is simple – we, the believers, starting originally with the disciples who were the primary audience and indeed mentioned in the verses, were to all go out and spread the news. Wherever we travel, through our local community (Jerusalem), or into neighbouring and potentially unfriendly territories (Samaria), right through to the entire world.

We are the messengers, the bringers of Good News that Jesus is risen! Death, as the penalty of our sinful nature. has been conquered and we can be fully restored in relationship with God.

One of the most important parts of this passage is also that we are to await and receive the presence of God in the Holy Spirit first, because He will make the way forward clear. So, God will go with us as we bring the Gospel to each target audience. We are to rely on His presence working in our lives to help us progress in this ministry and lifestyle of bringing the Gospel to the world.