SouthField is doing a series on Acts. Pastor Dennis asked us on Sunday to get acquainted with Acts Chapter 1. This week that is what we are going to do.

Acts 1:1-5

The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Read the passage above.

Ben's Comments:

- Luke (one of Jesus' disciples) wrote the book of Acts.

- This is taking place after Jesus died on the cross and rose again.

- He appeared to and taught the disciples for 40 days.

- He gave them a command. Not to leave Jerusalem.

- A lot of the disciples were not from Jerusalem. They wanted to go to their hometown, they were experiencing a lot of persecution there, they were scared.

- He gave them a command and a promise. The promise of the Holy Spirit.

- Jesus said they would be given the Holy Spirit "not many days from now."

- Even though God promises us that he will give us something it doesn't mean we will get it right away.

Questions:

1. Do you think that we have to wait to get the Holy Spirit when we decide to follow Christ?

2. Why do you think that Jesus didn't tell them when the Holy Spirit would come? Why did he say, "not many days from now?" instead of telling them exactly?

3. What does the Holy Spirit do in the life of believers?

I would love to hear your thoughts!

bjacobson2@gmail.com

See you tomorrow!