Page 60 - Homiletics Student Textbook

with Him, the apostles question Jesus concerning the coming of God’s kingdom
on earth (cf.Ac.1:6). Jesus’ reply to them was that such matters were not their
concern at that point in time (cf.Ac.1:7).

(4) Following Context

After speaking with His chosen apostles, Luke records that Jesus ascended up to
heaven and was received out of their sight (cf.Ac.1:9). As they stood there
gazing upward, angels appeared with the message that Jesus would one day
come again (cf.Ac.1:10-11). Upon hearing this news, the apostles returned to
Jerusalem and met there together with other disciples, praying and waiting as
Jesus had commanded them to do (cf.Ac.1:12-14).

(5) Internal Context

In this verse, Acts 1:8, it appears that Jesus, having completed His earthly
mission but just prior to returning to heaven, is giving instruction to His chosen
apostles concerning not only what would happen to them after He was gone,
but also what they were to do after He was gone.

(6) A basic outline of the book of Acts is below.
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Prologue (1:1-2)

A. Preparation for Pentecost (1:3-26)

1. Instructions Before the Ascension (1:3-8)
2. The Ascension (1:9-11)
3. After the Ascension (1:12-26)

B. Witness in Jerusalem (2:1-7:60)

C. Witness in Judea and Samaria and the Beginnings of Gentile
Evangelism (8:1-11:18)

D. Witness to the Ends of the Earth (11:19-28:31)

2. Word Possibilities

a. shall receive (lambano / lam-ban-o): Verb – future middle indicative 2 person plural
nd

(1) to take hold of someone or something (with or without force)
(2) to receive or accept an object or benefit where the initiative rests with the giver
(3) to acquire possession of something
(4) to collect what is due
(5) to select from alternative choice
(6) to come to believe

88 Ajith Fernando, NIV Application Commentary: Acts (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998), 42-44.
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