Ascension Day (CL)

Acts 1:1-11

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Ac 1:1–11). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

I listened to a presentation recently which focused just on verse 8 but really on these words, "you will be my witnesses."  There is nothing more that needs to be said to the Apostles or disciples than this.  "You will be my witnesses."  We discussed a great detail whether this is a Law or Gospel statement.  I think I finally came away of understanding it as a statement of fact (neither Law nor Gospel).

Jesus is just stating what they are.  The command or Law would come with connecting these words to Matthew 28 and a commissioning.  You should go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.  Once you have got there you need to tell other people about Jesus Christ.

But it could also be read as Good News.  You have been made witnesses to the truth of God, which means you know the truth or have been called to the truth of the Gospel.  You are witnesses because God has made you his witnesses as a gift.

But if you recognize it as a statement of Fact, it becomes much simpler.  Jesus has shown these people not only his death and Resurrection but now his Ascension to the Father.  He leaves behind these Apostles and disciples who have seen these events take place.  Just like a man who sees an accident, he is not forced to be a witness or called to be a witness.  This man is just by being there a witness.

PS: NTA is 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 and Psalm is Psalm 47:1-9