Blog

Sharing is Caring!

Acts of the Holy Ghost

Let’s study the Book of Acts and acts of the Holy Ghost. Today, I want to commence a Book Bible Study. One of my favorite apostles, the beloved physician, Luke, wrote this book.

Our Bible reference is from Acts 1:1-9.

Similar to many of the other books of the New Testament (NT), the Book of Acts, really is a letter from Luke to Theophilus, (Acts 1:1).

He starts this letter with a reference and a hint. Consequently, when he writes of “the former treatise”, he is hinting at “The Gospel According to Saint Luke.

Subsequently, he writes: “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen” (Acts 1:1-2).

Why Acts of the Apostles are Acts of the Holy Ghost?

So, he provides a little bit of a “back-story”. Therefore, The Gospel According to Saint Luke captures all that Jesus started both to do and teach up to his ascension into heaven.

After his ascension into heaven, the Book of Acts will chronicle the activities of Christ Jesus in the Church.

Then, by saying “after that”, meaning after his ascension, he explains how Jesus speaks to his apostles since that time.

Note how Christ communicates with his leaders after his ascension?

“[H]e through the Holy Ghost” gives “commandments” to his “apostles whom he had chosen,” (Acts 1:2).

Therefore, after Jesus’ ascension into heaven,  he communicates to his twelve leaders, but via the Holy Ghost.

Therefore, “after that” all that Jesus began both to do and teach, in St. Luke, he continues in Acts of the Apostles, as the Acts of the Holy Ghost.

The statement that acts of the Apostles are acts of the Holy Ghost shouldn’t come as any surprise. It shouldn’t take you off-guard if you recall that God is a Spirit (John 4:24).

It shouldn’t surprise you that since the first advent of Jesus Christ, the Lord God, (the Holy Ghost), only operates through people.

Whose Behavior Reflects the Acts of the Holy Ghost?

Luke, at the starting of his letter and the Book of Acts, touched on two very important subjects.

First, he validates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to the Law of Moses, the testimony of two men is true (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15 & John 8:17).

However, in this instance, Jesus has twelve witnesses to testify that he is alive. He rose from the dead. They saw him. They interacted with him on several different occasions. These men witness his resurrection. And they are not the only witnesses.

They Saw Him For 40 Days Before He Left

Therefore, Luke points this out. He explains that Jesus’ apostles saw him alive for forty days after his resurrection. They saw him in various settings. He proved to them in many different ways that he is alive.

Consequently, he pens: “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).

However, note how he makes a notable contrast between two times. He differentiates how Jesus instructed them while he was with them physically, as against, after his ascension.

Of Things Pertaining to the Kingdom of God and Acts of the Holy Ghost

Second, Jesus taught his eleven leaders, for Judas was dead: “of things pertaining to the kingdom of God”.

Therefore, in discussing them he instructed his disciples: to wait for the Promise of the Father.

“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).

Then, he reveals when they would experience the Promise of the Father or Spirit Baptism.

He informs them: “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:5).

Later, he discusses the time of the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel.

“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6).

Restoration of the Kingdom to Israel Through Acts of the Holy Ghost?

“And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power” (Acts 1:7).

Finally, he expounds on the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and its consequences.

“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).

This section ends with the “taken up” or rapture of Jesus into heaven.

“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9).

Subsequently, now is when the real acts of the Holy Ghost begin.

Conclusion

The Gospel of Luke describes “all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1), until his ascension into heaven. Acts 1:1-2, explain this.

However, the Acts of the Apostles or the Acts of the Holy Ghost, demonstrate “all that Jesus continues both to do and teach”, after his ascension into heaven. He manifested through his apostles.

Essentially, then, the Acts of the Apostles are the Acts of the Holy Ghost. And Jesus starts to show himself working through his twelve leaders after Acts 1:9.

Therefore, Luke states that Jesus went back to heaven. However, although he is not here physically, he is here spiritually. Now, he speaks to his apostles “through the Holy Ghost” (Acts 1:2).

So, the Acts of the Apostles demonstrate the power of God. He uses His twelve chosen men.

Consequently, no one who claims to be a born-again Believer is powerless. Such a one only needs to learn how to unleash the resurrection power of God.

Five Things Relating to the Kingdom

No one could be around someone for forty days and not be certain that such a one is not dead. Forty days is more than enough time to be absolutely certain that the same Jesus who was crucified is alive again.

Jesus explains a number “of things pertaining to the kingdom of God”. They include his resurrection from the dead; the wait, advent, and consequence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Finally, he speaks of the time of the restoration of the kingdom to Israel.

Nevertheless, as we traverse this book, you will observe the acts of the Holy Ghost at work in every one of these areas. He’s a Spirit, so He operates only through those He sends.

P.S. Please share this post with your relatives and friends. Share it with everyone. Both Christians and others, for all need the Word of Truth. Blessings.

Use the “Share This” icons below to share this post with family and friends. Thanks!!