Tag Archives: baptism

Acts 1:1-11 Pastor Rick’s Study Notes and Small Group Questions

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Pastor Rick’s Translation:

(PRT) Acts 1:1-10

vv. 1-2 Theophilus, the first account I wrote concerned the whole story from the beginning with what Jesus proclaimed and demonstrated up to the very day after giving instructions by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen, he was taken up. vv. 3-4 To these very apostles, he showed up for them alive with many irrefutable proofs during the forty days they saw him after his suffering; and he spoke to them about the things of the Kingdom of God. And when he had them all together he gave them these instructions: “Don’t leave Jerusalem; instead wait there for the Promise of the Father that you heard me talk about.” v. 5 John baptized you with water, but now you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in only a few days.” v. 6 Then they got together and asked him: “Lord, is this the time? Are you restoring the Kingdom to Israel?” v. 7 But he replied: “The Father is in charge of this; and he has set the opportune timing and how long or short this will be isn’t up to you. v. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses not just in Jerusalem but in all Judea and Samaria and to the farthest reaches of the earth. v. 9 And after Jesus said all this to them, before their very eyes, he was lifted up; and he was carry away in a cloud from their sight. vv. 10-11 Then, while they were watching intently into the heavens as he left, two men appeared in dazzling white clothes and stood by them: “Galileans, why do you stand here staring into the skies? This Jesus who has been taken up from you and into heaven will come back in the very same way you saw him go into heaven.”

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

vv. 1-2 Theophilus, the first account I wrote concerned the whole story from the beginning with what Jesus proclaimed and demonstrated up to the very day after giving instructions by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen, he was taken up.

It could be the apostles were chosen by the Holy Spirit or the instructions were given by agency of the Holy Spirit.  His point: as you begin reading this account, keep in mind that it follow that first account composed and delivered to his friend, Theophilus.

Wright: Luke writes on several levels. 1) It’s the story of the early church, 2) It’s also the story of the continuing work of Jesus, but now through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, 3) It’s a story in which we are also participants as the continuing work, continues. Acts is all about what Jesus continues to do in the world. There are two dynamics integral to Acts: Jesus rose again and the Holy Spirit has come in power. The renewal the disciples expected and perhaps wanted more than ever was an immediate regime change; but the regime change is inside the hearts of Jesus’ followers. There is a new reality believers live in; the Kingdom is come in the ministry and presence of Jesus.

Wagner: Jesus fills in the gaps during these seven weeks. All that they were taught and saw, now makes sense. The framework of Acts is the Kingdom. Luke is the only Gentile writer in the Bible.

vv. 3-4 To these very apostles, he showed up for them alive with many irrefutable proofs during the forty days they saw him after his suffering; and he spoke to them about the things of the Kingdom of God. And when he had them all together he gave them these instructions: “Don’t leave Jerusalem; instead wait there for the Promise of the Father that you heard me talk about.”

Jesus presented himself to them; he showed up for them. He had three goals in this time. Teach them about the Kingdom of God. Encourage them with his words and actions. Instruct them about their next steps.

v. 5 John baptized you with water, but now you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in only a few days.”

The timing is important to Luke. Remember when John had water to baptize you with; but now that the Promise of the Father is here, you’ll be inundated in the Holy Spirit.

v. 6 Then they got together and asked him: “Lord, is this the time? Are you restoring the Kingdom to Israel?”

They still didn’t want him to leave and hoped for the Kingdom to start with him even now physically. I can see them huddling together and nudging Peter forward (probably) to ask the question. The tone is “Jesus, we all want to know? Is it now?” Jesus gives them the big picture and invites them to play the long game.

Wright: The disciples were not heading to the top spots in an earthly kingdom; they we were in on a new kind of kingdom. And the King is present for the people of God. The “still-future” remains but His rule breaks in our lives and our world. So, to answer their question: “Is it time?” He says wait for the promise of the Father and then do and speak the words of the Kingdom.

v. 7 But he replied: “The Father is in charge of this; and he has set the opportune timing and how long or short this will be isn’t up to you.

At the Father’s authority the right time and the length of the season is in place; it’s set. Jesus, as human, accepted the limitations that fit the Father’s plans and didn’t even know. Of course, it would not be in our scope of understanding. That’s why they missed the point.

Wright: God has all authority and He gives us power.

v. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses not just in Jerusalem but in all Judea and Samaria and to the farthest reaches of the earth.

Two main verbs here: receive power, be witnesses. Both are evidences or the result of the Holy Spirit’s work coming onto and working in them. It’s interesting that these followers are from all over Galilee but have come to center in Judea and Jerusalem. Yet, Samaria gets a clear “go” for the work of the Kingdom of God.

v. 9 And after Jesus said all this to them, before their very eyes, he was lifted up; and he was carry away in a cloud from their sight.

The tricky word here is “carried away” which can mean lifted up further (a double lift along with the previous word) or hidden away. Either way, they watched and they watched.  If Jesus can walk on water before he was resurrected and walk through walls and doors afterward, he can lift up from the ground and move, as if through a cloud, toward the places where he takes up his new role as intercessor beside His Father.

vv. 10-11 Then, while they were watching intently into the heavens as he left, two men appeared in dazzling white clothes and stood by them: “Galileans, why do you stand here staring into the skies? This Jesus who has been taken up from you and into heaven will come back in the very same way you saw him go into heaven.”

Jesus had just told them they would be His witnesses; and now they watched intently, before their very eyes, and as they stared into the moments – Jesus, Jesus and clouds, only clouds – two angels (presumably) stamped into their minds that Jesus would come back in the same way. Clouds, dramatically, appearing, covered with glory (the clouds often symbolize this.)

Small Group Study Questions:

Acts 1:1-11

  1. Read vv. 3-4 How did Jesus show up for the disciples the 40 days after His resurrection?
  2. The disciples didn’t want Jesus to leave. Why was this important to His disciples?
  3. How did your faith tradition teach you about baptism? The Holy Spirit?
  4. What does it look like to receive God’s power for the first time? What does it look like for you to live in His power?
  5. How does v. 8 matter to you or to our church today? Do you have someone in your Jerusalem you need to share God’s love and message with?
  6. Can we pray for those in our Jerusalem and Judea who need our love and the Good News?
  7. What way has God showed up for you in your personal life this month?

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes on Mark 1:1-15

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Pastor Rick’s Study notes:

Mark 1:1-15 (PRT – Pastor Rick’s Translation)

v. 1 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ the son of God. As v. 2 it has been written recorded in Isaiah’s book, “See this, I send my messenger before you who will prepare the way for you.” v. 3 “the voice of one crying in the desert places, prepare the way of the Lord; make straight and level His path. v. 4 John came baptizing in the desert places and announcing a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. v. 5 And all from the region of Judea and from Jerusalem went out to him and, confessing their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River. v. 6 And John was dressed in camel’s hair clothing with a leather belt around his waist living on locusts and wild honey. v. 7 And he preached, saying “He who comes after me is mightier than me, for whom I am not worthy to bend down and untie his shoestrings.” v. 8 “I baptized you with water; but beyond this, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” v. 9 And it happened, that in those days of John’s preaching and baptizing, Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee came and was baptized by John in the Jordan. v. 10 And straight away, in that moment, as Jesus was rising up from the waters, he saw the heavens splitting open and the Spirit in the form of a dove descending to rest on him. v. 11 “You are my Son, the Beloved, in whom I am well-pleased,” came a voice out of the heavenlies. v. 12 And straight away, in that moment, the Spirit compels him deeper into the desert places. v. 13 And for forty days, Jesus was in the desert places being tempted by Satan and he was with the wild animals and the angels served him. v. 14 And after John’s surrendering over to custody, Jesus came into Galilee announcing the Good News of God. v. 15 And he proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is near; repent and believe the Good News.”

v. 1 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ the son of God. As…

STUDY NOTES:

Mark’s account of the good news first declares that Jesus of Nazareth is both Messiah and son of God. The King who came and God with us.

v. 2 it has been written recorded in Isaiah’s book, “See this, I send my messenger before you who will prepare the way for you.”

The story of the Bible has been leading up to this point, to the time when the Father would send one to prepare the way for His Son. The creation. The Fall. The flourishing of man. The Family of Israel. The Judges. The King. The Division. The Captivity. All the Prophets throughout. All pointed to the Redemption and the Restoration the Good News brings.

v. 3 “the voice of one crying in the desert places, prepare the way of the Lord; make straight and level His path.

This passage is a royal welcome passage. Get the worn-out paths wide and level; prepare each step of the way so that the welcome celebration can happen. Why in the desert? Why does it start with John? Each Gospel writer began at a difference point of reference: Matthew with the genealogy to show the Jews that Jesus fit the prophecies, Luke with the birth of John as the miraculously sent forerunner, John with the pre-incarnate Christ. Mark with the message of John that sets the stage for Jesus.

With John’s quote here, the verses hearken to when this was originally spoken – to prepare the captives in Babylon for God’s intervention and nearness to rescue. A prophet’s words often have both near and far meanings.

v. 4 John came baptizing in the desert places and announcing a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.

It could be “toward freedom or release from sin’s bondage.” He baptized to announce freedom from the guilt and bondage of sin was possible based on a heart that renounced and turned away from sin. This prepares the heart for restoration and redemption through the Good News of the Kingdom. Note that John preached the Kingdom come near; to preach the Kingdom present is reserved for King Jesus and His followers. John “came” – the word has a meaning of high importance, epochal.

John was baptizing Jews as if they were foreigners needing to enter the Kingdom of God. All of us need to repent, be baptized as a picture of this repentance, and see God’s hand of forgiveness.

v. 5 And all from the region of Judea and from Jerusalem went out to him and, confessing their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

This would put much of John’s ministry nearer to Jerusalem and Bethany than to Capernaum in Galilee. Did everyone? Not a literal “all” but all heard, and a steady stream of people entered the waters upon turning from sin and making the heart change of repentance. Certainly, all means all strata of the culture came to John’s baptism; tax gatherers, centurions, religions, businessmen, fishermen, rich and poor, etc.

v. 6 And John was dressed in camel’s hair clothing with a leather belt around his waist living on locusts and wild honey.

Quite the contrast from all other rabbinical lifestyles, John lived on what he found in the desert. The original bohemian lifestyle, a mashup of Essene, prophet, and Bedouin.

v. 7 And he preached, saying “He who comes after me is mightier than me, for whom I am not worthy to bend down and untie his shoestrings.”

The lowest of servants in a large household got the task of unstrapping guests’ sandals after their trek through the city and town streets filled with dust, refuse, and animal droppings. It was a lowly job; and John was not even that worthy. Let’s see how we feel doing that for a day. His perspective was spot-on. He is Lord of all, and we are not worthy; we are in by grace alone. And did Jesus find it the right illustration to do the same for each person in his circle of disciples – even the ones who doubted, denied, and betrayed him.

v. 8 “I baptized you with water; but beyond this, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

What was the Baptizer’s pneumatology? What did he mean? I’m guessing that, on this side of the Pentecost outpouring, John saw prophetically the redeemed inundated with and immersed in the present and consuming Spirit that filled him when he preached. Both are needed. Often, one is emphasized over the other.

v. 9 And it happened, that in those days of John’s preaching and baptizing, Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee came and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Jesus broke into the great work John was doing by humbly submitting to and sanctioning John’s baptism as a valid ministry that prepared people to receive the King. He came from a town so redneck that the normal rednecks laughed at it. A town that didn’t even warrant a mention in the Old Testament. It was a one-flashing stoplight town.

v. 10 And straight away, in that moment, as Jesus was rising up from the waters, he saw the heavens splitting open and the Spirit in the form of a dove descending to rest on him.

And let the “in that moment’s” begin, with the falling of the Spirit like a dove to rest on Jesus. The picture is incredibly vivid. John takes Jesus under the water and, just as the water clears Jesus’ eyes, the Father splits the heavenlies, opens the space between temporal and eternal, and sends in the form of a dove, the Spirit of God to rest on His Son. Father, Son, Spirit all declaring “in that moment.” Look up heavenlies in Ephesians (ouranon). In Ephesians, “heavenlies is “epiouranon” – that heaven above the heavens. God split open like a curtain the divide that separates the physical from the eternal, the earthly from the heavenly, and Jesus and John both at least saw the “heavenlies” that Paul writes of in Ephesians.

How many times does Mark use “straight away” or “immediately?” As many as 44 or more.

This is the same word used for splitting the curtain in the temple and letting us see into the holy places.

John saw this, too, as the Gospel of John records. So, the heavenlies were made visible from earth for Jesus and John to both see and hear what the Father was doing.

v. 11 “You are my Son, the Beloved, in whom I am well-pleased,” came a voice out of the heavenlies.

Jesus had not performed a miracle, preached a message, or begun a public ministry; he had satisfied the Father’s longing before a single act or word that would set his ministry apart. When we are satisfying to the Father, we serve well; we don’t serve to satisfy the Father. The Beloved = His own dear son.

Three times the Father breaks in with His voice – here, at the transfiguration and in the Temple after he cleanses it and declares “It’s time.”

v. 12 And straight away, in that moment, the Spirit compels him deeper into the desert places.

The same Spirit of God who affirmed Him now tests Him. Jesus is compelled further into the deserted places toward the Dead Sea. This is the place the OT calls the Desolation or Horrible Desolation.

The word here is the same as the Spirit compelling workers into the harvest.

v. 13 And for forty days, Jesus was in the desert places being tempted by Satan and he was with the wild animals and the angels served him.

The angels kept him safe, served him by providing drink and encouragement. They served like deacons to the point of need Jesus had. Desert places find a significant place in the story of the Good News and the story of God’s kids. We find victory in the midst of temptation; we find nourishment; we hear from God; we see angels.

1 John 3:8 Jesus came to destroy the works of the Devil. His first work after his baptism and infilling was to face the enemy in the desert places.

v. 14 And after John’s surrendering over to custody, Jesus came into Galilee announcing the Good News of God.

Did John have to leave the scene in order for Jesus to step into the Good News of the Kingdom? John was placed in the dungeons of Herod. Jesus preaches the Good News on the heels of John’s repentance message. They go hand-in-hand. Good News is just that for those who turn from a “me-centered life” toward a Jesus-centered life.

Between vv. 13 and 14, a lot happens. Jesus has met his first disciples, gone to a wedding in Cana, visited Jerusalem, met Nicodemus, purged the Temple the first time, and met the woman at the well on the way back to Galilee.

v. 15 And he proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is near; repent and believe the Good News.”

The Kairos has filled up and, in that moment, the Kingdom has come near. Our response is to repent and throw ourselves into the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of time came, God sent His Son Jesus.

Speak about time chronos, Kairos, etc. The perfect moment.

I’ve begun a series called Book-by-Book. This is a Chapter-by-chapter series.

In relation to time. Jesus in Mark 1 declared about the Kingdom present, “it’s here,” in John 12 declared about the Kingdom victory through the Cross, “it’s time,” and on the Cross in Luke about the Kingdom redemption and restoration, “it’s finished.”

Too Many Santas, Too Much Brussel Sprouts

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Stats say that the King’s Cross/St Pancras Tube Station is London’s busiest place, making it one of the busiest in the world. It’s also the location of Potter-world’s Platform 9 3/4 (King’s Cross and the point to travel by train to continental Europe (St. Pancras.)

It was also the location of the largest gathering of Santa Clauses I’ve ever seen. Thousands of them. All sizes, shapes, ages, gender, and quality-of-gear. They were easy to identify. We were the odd-people-out.

Think: red-and-white, jingle-bell rave.

While serving in missions in Europe, I invited my daughter Rachael to spend a week in London with her dad. She’s an art-nut and museums were the order of the week (along with two-a-day fish and chips.) As we walked out of the station, we landed in the middle of brussel-sprout-eating, beer drinking Santa Clauses. They were there on purpose, with a mission, and in it together.

As Christ-followers, we certainly don’t dress alike or eat the same food. But this visual reminds me that we identify together with other Jesus-lovers. When you or I meet a Christian, no matter the language, nationality, race, gender, etc., we are in it together. There is community.

We are on a mission to represent King Jesus – the only one who restores us to a full understanding of what it means humanly to be His creation, the only one who has accomplished what we need to be redeemed.

And our purpose is to invite the values of the Kingdom into our lives and into the lives of the people and the circumstances we connect with today. We long together to see people genuinely loved (not based on a good or bad dichotomy; but because people are worthy of our love and respect.) And we have hope to give through our words, actions, and prayer.

That ever-growing crowd of Santas who were on mission, with a purpose, and with an identity, showed up for a raved at King’s Cross Station. They threw a party.

Renovation Vineyard has our next rave planned. We are baptizing in the ocean on Sunday evening, June 27th. Cake and ice cream at Andy and Cindy Grigg’s place in Cherry Grove at 5pm; then a two-block walk or drive to the 55th Ave. Beach Access for baptisms. If you want to join the party, let me know!

And we already have our next party planned – it’s a worship-rave. It’s Sunday morning at 9:45.