In this Bible study on Acts 1, we begin by reviewing the big themes of Acts: what it means to be the church (the ecclesia, the “called-out ones”), the mission of witnessing to Jesus “to the ends of the earth,” and the movement of the gospel from Jews to Gentiles. From there, we walk into Acts 1:1–5 and focus on why Luke frames Acts as the continuation of what Jesus “began” to do and teach—because Jesus continues his work in the world through the Holy Spirit in the church.
A major emphasis is the essential place of the ascension in the gospel. We discuss why the ascension is not an “optional” doctrine but necessary for salvation: Jesus ascends to the Father so that he can send the Holy Spirit, making Christ’s presence available to all believers in every place and generation. This leads into the promise of Pentecost and Jesus’ command to wait in Jerusalem, highlighting that spiritual waiting can be an act of obedience and that the church cannot fulfill its mission without divine power.
The study then explores baptism language in Acts 1:5 and clarifies key salvation doctrines: justification (forgiveness and freedom from the guilt of sin) and regeneration (new birth and freedom from the power of sin). We examine how John’s water baptism relates to forgiveness, and how baptism in the Holy Spirit relates to inward transformation. Along the way, we discuss differing Christian views on baptism (baptism as public witness versus baptismal regeneration), address questions about when the disciples “received” the Holy Spirit (Jesus breathing on them in John versus Pentecost in Acts), and consider what it means for the Holy Spirit to be active in the Old Testament (selectively in kings, priests, and prophets) versus the new covenant promise that the Spirit will be poured out on all God’s people.
The session closes with pastoral application: the true mark of the Spirit is a purified heart expressed in love, and if you are unsure whether you have been filled with the Spirit, the invitation is simple—ask Jesus, trust his promise, and seek the deeper transformation the gospel was always meant to bring.
