JESUS' FINAL APPEARANCES AND ASCENSION

Jesus and the Apostles in Jerusalem

Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-8

-Here, we include some of Luke’s words which we have already considered.  It seems that Luke’s

 account serves as somewhat of a summary statement of the things Jesus said over a period of time. 

 Or, perhaps it is a record of what Jesus said while meeting with the apostles at Jerusalem - some of

 which was a repetition of things previously spoken.

            -“The Commission in Mark may perhaps be reckoned the same as Matthew’s…A third

             Commission is given by Luke…” (Robertson, fn, pg 181).  In comparison to Matthew and

             Mark’s accounts of the Great Commission “[t]he verses in Luke are taken from a later

             conversation…” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 762).  Luke “…gives here a summary of what Jesus

             taught the disciples between his resurrection and ascension” (Boles, Luke, pg 475).

-In the opening chapter of the book of Acts, Luke indicates that Jesus “…shewed himself alive

 after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking the things

 pertaining to the kingdom of God” (vs 3).

            -“Jesus presented himself to them under different circumstances in such a way that they could

             not doubt that he had been raised from the dead.  ‘By many proofs,’ he established the fact of

             his resurrection.  The resurrection was the evidence that Jesus’ death was not mere martyrdom,

             but triumphant atonement.  The resurrection was to be the subject of the preaching of the

             apostles; thence, they were left without a doubt as to his resurrection” (Boles, Acts, pg 19).

            -Keep in mind also that Jesus appeared to James (1 Cor. 15:7) sometime during these 40 days.

             The scriptures remain silent as to the time and place of the visit as well as to the details of the

             occurrence. 

-“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that

 all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the

 psalms, concerning me.  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the

 scriptures” (Luke 24:44-45).

            -Similar to His teaching of the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, Jesus revealed to the

             apostles the things from the Law of Moses, the prophets and the Psalms which had pointed

             forward to Him – all of which He had now fulfilled. 

-Jesus commanded the apostles “…that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the

 promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4).  “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but 

 tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). 

            -This, of course, was a reference to the baptism of the Holy Spirit which the apostles would

             experience while at Jerusalem just ten days later.  “For John baptized with water, but in a few

             days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5, NIV).

-Acts 1:6 reveals that, at this time, the apostles were still confused as to the nature of Christ’s

 kingdom.  “Jesus enlightens them as to their duty, and not as to the kingdom; Pentecost would make

 all clear as to the nature of Christ’s rule and dominion” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 765).