Bible Study
October 28, 2025 (CSB)
Acts 1:4 – 8
“What Are You Doing?”
“While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The disciples had spent about three years with Jesus, They had seen Him raise the dead, touch lives by bringing healing to their bodies, forgiving sins and today they are asking if He is restoring the kingdom to Israel. The ESV begins verse four with these words “Gathering them together” which in that day could have meant ‘eating with them.”
God had repeatedly said He would send His Spirit. He then tells the John baptized with water but they are going to receive a different baptism a baptism that brings power. This one will change your ministry. This promise was fulfilled in just a few later. Nothing has changed in our day we need to power of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we minister to one another. The question is – do we want it?
The apostles still believed the earthly form of the Messiah would soon be established. They also knew that Ezekiel 36 and Joel 2 spoke connected the coming of the kingdom with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The apostles mission as well as ours is to spread the gospel that is the reason for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The apostles (as we do) experience the Holy Spirit’s saving, guiding, teaching and miracle working power, they were about to receive His indwelling presence for power to witness.
Have you received since you believed?
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 