Monday, May 7, 2018

ascension day year b - acts

Acts 1:1-11
In the first book, Theophilus, 
     I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught 
          from the beginning 
               2until the day when They were taken up to heaven, 
                    after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit 
                         to the apostles whom Jesus had chosen. 
     3After Jesus' suffering  
          They presented Themself alive to the apostles 
               by many convincing proofs, 
                    appearing to them during forty days 
                    and speaking about the reign of God. 
          4While staying with them, 
               Jesus ordered the apostles not to leave Jerusalem, 
                    but to wait there for the promise of Abba
               “This,” Jesus said, “is what you have heard from me;
                    5for John baptized with water, 
                         but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit 
                              not many days from now.” 

6So when they had come together, they asked Jesus, 
     “Teacher, is this the time when you will restore the reign to Israel?”
7Jesus replied, 
     “It is not for you to know the times or periods 
          that Abba has set by Their own authority.
     8But you will receive power 
          when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; 
     and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, 
          in all Judea and Samaria, 
               and to the ends of the earth.” 
9When Jesus had said this, 
     as they were watching, 
          Jesus was lifted up, 
          and a cloud took Them out of their sight. 
     10While Jesus was going 
          and they were gazing up toward heaven, 
               suddenly two people in white robes stood by them.
     11They said, 
          “You Galileans
               why do you stand looking up toward heaven? 
          This Jesus, 
               who has been taken up from you into heaven, 
                    will come in the same way as you saw Them go into heaven.”

Queeries for the text:
What's the first book?
Who is Theophilus?
Why do we always need so much proof?
Why are they talking about timing when Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit?
Why are we so concerned about knowing all the details and exact timing?
What's it like when the Holy Spirit comes upon you?
Why does Jesus specify Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria?
Did the two people apparate?  
Why do we look to heaven for Jesus when Christ is present all around us?
Does "the same way" mean pressing rewind, head first, or something else?   

What are your queeries?




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