Acts 1:1-5·~1 min

Prologue

Luke recalls his earlier account, notes Jesus’ many proofs after suffering, and records his forty days of speaking about the kingdom. Jesus then orders the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the Father’s promised gift and names the coming baptism with the Holy Spirit.

I¹n my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach, ²until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. ³After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. ⁴And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. ⁵For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. ”

Section summaryLuke opens by linking this book to the first account, then traces Jesus’ risen appearances, his forty days of instruction, and his command to wait in Jerusalem for the Father’s promised gift. The section ends with the Spirit’s coming set against John’s water baptism.

Role in the chapterThis opening movement binds the chapter to Luke’s earlier account and sets waiting for the promised Spirit as the first posture of the apostles before witness begins.