May 28 – 7 Easter
Acts 1:6-14
The Ascension of Jesus
Background: The Acts of the Apostles is the second portion of Luke’s account of Jesus’ life and ministry and details the formation and growth of Christianity. Within the book of Acts there are three sections with a theme: the spread of the gospel in and around Jerusalem, the spread of the gospel outside Jerusalem but in Israel, and the spread of the gospel outside Israel. This passage marks Jesus’ ascension and the recapitulation of those classified as Apostles.
Theme: In this passage we see the beginning of the end of Jesus’ earthly mission. The beginning of this passage is supposedly set 40 days following Jesus’ resurrection and foreshadows the beginning of the Christian cult and the assurance of Jesus’ return.
Questions to Ponder:
* In addition to the assigned passage, Acts 1:6-14, please read Acts 1:1-5 for context.
* Briefly describe the setting of this passage. What has happened leading up to this passage? Where does this passage take place?
* Which event do you think is more “important”, the ascension or the coming of the Holy Spirit?
* Why might Jesus put off the Apostle’s request to know if this is “the time” for God to restore the kingdom?
* What, if anything, is ironic about verse 6?
* How does Jesus’ response in verse 7 confound or disappoint the expectations of the disciples?
* What power do you think the Holy Spirit provides to the disciples and to all believers?
* What power do you think the disciples expected to receive from Jesus and the Holy Spirit?
* Where else do we find human interaction with “two (or any number) men in white”?
* Do you think Mount Olivet and the Mount of Olives are the same place? What would the connection be between the Ascension and the Mount of Olives? How far away from Jerusalem would Olivet be?
* What is the significance of the “room upstairs” in this story? What was the function of an upstairs room in Jewish/Jerusalem tradition?
* What is striking about the description of the assembly the writer provides in verse 14?
* Why do you think there was a tangential reference to “some women”, Mary, and Jesus’ brothers?
* What do you think the significance of the ascension account is for the development and growth of the historic Christian cult?
* How does Jesus describe the history of the Christian tradition in this passage? For instance: how does Jesus’ comments/statements impact the present time (for Jesus and for us) and for eternity? Or does his commentary provide insights into these things?
* How does this passage support the teaching that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world?
* How does this passage translate into the community we live in today?
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