Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandment unto the apostles whom he had chosen: ( 3 ) To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of god:

In the last segment of this study, I realize we mentioned ( the kingdom of God ). However it’s a lot to be seen in just these two verses. So therefore, I’ll try and point them out.

Let’s start with the forty days. Why was it ( forty days )? I’d like to try and prove a point here. We can see the whole picture of the word of God unfolding in the ( feasts ) mentioned or taught in ( Leviticus ). Those events are recorded in ( Leviticus 23 ). The first is ( Passover ) and the last is ( Atonement ) in ( verse 27 ) of ( Chapter 23 ).

The whole Picture is there however, we want to look at what pertains to our study. If you read in ( Leviticus 23: 16 ) Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat- offering unto the Lord.

We see in our study that he was with them ( forty days ). Now if we move forward to ( Acts 2:1 ) It says this: ( And when the day of Pentecost was fully come ). We know by studying Leviticus that this; the fully coming of Pentecost, was ten days after Jesus was taken up from them. We know this because ( Pentecost was ( 50 days ) after the ( feast of firstfruits ) meaning the resurrection of Christ. WE see that in ( Leviticus 23:9-14 ). When we read in ( Acts 1:2 ) where he was taken up, we can also continue to study through ( Acts 1: 11 ) and see the whole event as it unfolds. This is also mentioned in ( Luke 24:51 ) And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

At the end of these forty days that Jesus walked among them and, was seen by many. At one place in scripture it says he was seen by as many as 500 at one time. ( 1 Corinthians 15:6 ) After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some have fallen asleep.

This period of time was after Jesus Christ had been crucified and raised from the grave. Here, in Corinthians, the Apostle Paul is pointing out that most of the people that had seen him after the resurrection was still alive to bear witness of that event.

In ( Acts 1; 2 ) the risen Christ gave commands to his apostles, the chosen ones. Here’s a man that has been crucified, to which they witnessed and now he is alive forever more, standing there giving commands to the men he had walked with. Don’t you think or, would you agree with me that these men should have taken heed to what he said? That statement is made at the end of ( verse 2 ). Now, look at what it says next. ( Verse 3 ) To whom also he shewed himself alive ( AFTER HIS PASSION ) by many infallible proofs. What do you think was meant by that statement?

I’m going to say something here that ( I believe ) but, I can’t prove therefore, it’s up to you how you take what I’m about to say. At this time eleven of the Apostles were present with Jesus and, were observing ( these infallible proofs ). Judas, one of the Apostles had hanged himself before this event took place. I have already pointed out that the phrase ( kingdom of heaven ) was only mentioned in ( Matthew ). All through the rest of the gospels it’s referred to the same way that it is in this verse. ( the kingdom of God ). That kingdom was: ( the passion of Christ ). That is the reason he came into this world. Although he was the rightful King of the Jews, he was not born to be King at that time. ( John 18:37 ) Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into this world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

This is the point I’d like to make. I believe that Jesus, speaking with his apostles within these forty days was speaking and, explaining to them ( things that would pertain to the ( kingdom of God ). but, in the minds of the apostles they were so sure that he would set up his kingdom at that time; ( the kingdom of heaven ) that they didn’t hear what he was actually saying. It would take time for them to see all he was saying and, the Spirit that would come upon would guide them to all truth. ( John 16:13 ) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

The purpose of Jesus Christ was to come and give his life for the Church, for those that would believe. He, himself began to teach his apostles and disciples but, the greater responsibility of teaching would be done by the Spirit of God that would come and live within them and, also in each of us that believe.

It’s almost like studying scripture. If we have a mindset of what we want or desire to see then, we don’t let the spirit of God direct us as we read. We simply don’t listen to him but, allow ourselves to be taught of men.

Let me give you an example, one that we see here. Look at this verse ( Acts 1:4-5 ) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but ( WAIT ) for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. ( 5 ) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

We know they didn’t leave Jerusalem but, they didn’t wait on that promise either. Jesus said that he had spoken to them about the promise of the Holy Ghost. Look at this: ( John 16: 7 ) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

You can read the next few verses as well. What I’m saying is that Jesus was telling them things that pertained to the Holy Ghost and his coming but, they didn’t hear it all, nor did they understand at that time. We can find other places where Jesus was telling them about the Spirit of God; the Holy Spirit or Ghost but, it takes more than just hearing him to understand what he is actually saying. ( In my opinion ) there are many people today that still don’t understand the concept of God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit. I can’t say that any of us completely understand it but, I do believe it is a subject that needs to be studied and taught to people in our Churches.

Just as it was hard for Jesus, while he walk this earth to get his apostles and disciples to understand the concept of ( His Spirit ) living within the fleshly body of any person, people with a passion to teach that concept have the same problem today. It even goes beyond understanding the concept to learning to hear him when he speaks and then, moving in the direction he tells us to go.

Remember, he told them to ( not depart from Jerusalem ) and ( wait ). As we go through this whole chapter; these two things will be prevalent. If we are to understand the concept of the Church and how and why it came about we must see these things.

I feel that it’s important to stop here and point out something. In the last part of ( Acts 1:3 ) Luke mentions: ( things pertaining to the ( Kingdom of God ). Luke also said in ( Luke 1:3 ) that he had ( perfect understanding of all things from the very first ). Here, he mentions the ( Kingdom of God ) therefore we have to assume he understood the concept to which Jesus was speaking of. So, what is the difference in ( the Kingdom of Heaven ) and ( the Kingdom of God )? There is a distinct difference and, we need to see that difference right here.

Let’s start with this: ( Matthew 3:2 ) ( And saying, Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand ). This is the message that ( John the Baptist ) preached. The nation of Israel had been looking for the Messiah for a long time. John the Baptist was the for runner of Jesus Christ. That whole subject is a lesson for another day but, we can clearly see that in Luke as we watch the birth of Jesus Christ unfold.

Today, as we study through this and, it always has taken a desire, a passion to know and understand the scriptures. Even as far back as Genesis, we can see the concept of the Church. I believe that there have been people with that passion, the passion to know God, to walk with him as long as this world has been. ( I believe ) that there are people today with that passion but, we are simply not being taught these concepts and, it’s difficult to see without someone to teach us. I’ll just use Luke as an example. I can see how he had studied and, realized things in scripture even before the birth of Jesus Christ. He even writes about a man that had the same passion. ( Luke 2:25 ) And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was upon him. ( 26 ) And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s child. This man Simeon, was a man with a passion to know, to understand. It says the Holy Ghost was upon him. Every born again believer has that same spirit upon them today. Every person that is born again underswtands that its’ something more than just this physical life. There is eternity to gain. The whole concept of eternal life is within our understand and that, while we are here in our flesh. It just has to be studied and, sought to understand.

I often wonder, did this man teach Luke? Did Luke have a true desire, passion to listen to this man as he shared what he had learned in scripture? Do you remember how Moses lead the Children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt? Well, the nation of Israel are controlled by the Romans now and they are looking for the Messiah to come and set them free. Jesus Christ was the Messiah that was to come but, He came for a greater cause than to simply set Israel free. Now, consider this; If Jesus Christ just simply set Israel free from their bondage to the Romans then, what would have happened when all the people in Israel at that time died? When, in the sense of our flesh dying, when Jesus died a physical death? The point is, that even Kings, in the flesh, die. Jesus Christ came and was the rightful King of the Jews but, that’s not the reason he was born was it?

Now, let’s move down to ( Acts 1:11 ). Notice this. ( Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

I wrote that verse because I wanted to make this point. When he tells them that Jesus will return in like manner, just how long do you think, they thought that would be? ( My personal opinion ) is that they thought it would be just a few days or weeks. They never dreamed it would be over two thousand years before he would return. They could not see the concept of the Church, the very reason that Jesus Christ was born, lived, was cricified and rose again. Now, let’s go back a few verses: ( verse 6 ) When they therefore were come together, they asked him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the KIngdom of Israel? The KIngdom of Israel is ( by definition ) The Kingdom of Heaven. Now, look at how he answered them. ( verse 7 ) And he said unto them, it is not for you to to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

With this verse I’m going to close this segment of teaching out and start again with what Jesus tells them in the next verse or two. However, can you see how that; although these men were apostles and, disciples that actually walked with Jesus Christ, they were still just people like we are. They, like us often have selective hearing and pre- conceived notions about things. We hear and see what we want to hear and see. Often, we believe what we choose to believe without truly allowing the Holy Spirit of God to teach us all things.

Although Jesus just told them that it was not for them to know the times or the seasons that was within the power of the Father; in their minds and hearts, this was what they desired and what they thought. They never even considered what he was telling them. As we go through the next verses and even a few chapters, I’ll try and point out some things that we seldom ever even consider but, it’s right here in scripture.

God will restore the Kingdom of Israel and, Jesus Christ will be their KIng forever. When this takes place, the people will truly know that he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I want to say this to make a point. If you are ( of the Jewish faith ) then you must be born into that family. Any Gentile can join ( the jewish faith ) but they are not Jewish just because they join that faith. It’s actually the same way with joining a Church. Ye must be born again to be a member of God’s family. Simply joining a Church does not make you a member of God’s fsmily, you must be born again.

Jesus Christ is not the KIng of the Gentiles nor, the KIng of the Church. He will be KIng of the Jews one day but, he is espoused to be the gridegroom of the Church, the body of Christ. The Jews will inherit the earth, the Church will live in a city above this earth, our home, 1500 square miles of a city made of gold.

Here, in this study we are not even considering that. The Apostles and the disciples on this day when Jesus was instructing them, as we will see in the next segment; was telling them to build that body, the rest is yet to be seen and understood.

The next part, we will start with ( Acts 1:8 )