River Valley Church SOAP - Part 11Sample

Luke began Acts with the Ascension and final words of Jesus. This is where he left off in his gospel (Luke 24: 45-53). The Ascension of Jesus was a significant event. It marked the end of one chapter in the story of God’s work on earth, Jesus’s ministry. It also marked the beginning of a new chapter in His work through the church. 

“Wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about,” Jesus said in Acts 1:4. The outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit on believers was a long standing promise. More than four hundred years earlier in Joel 2:28-29: “I will pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my spirit in those days.” Then through John the Baptist the promise is renewed (Matthew 3:11). Jesus said much about the coming of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-16, 16:5-15). As Jesus prepared to return to Heaven. He made it clear that the time had come for this promise to be fulfilled.