Promise of the Father

The Promise of God the Father

Acts 1:4-9 Promise of the Father

Acts 1:10-11 Heaven

ACTS 1:4-5 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

What is the "promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4)?
Being "baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5) a few days later.

When did Jesus tell them this promise from the Father?
See John 14:26 (If you love me, keep my commandments) and John 15:26 (Love one another).

What were they to do until the Father fulfills this promise?
"not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait" (Acts 1:4)

Why?
Without God, they can't accomplish anything: "Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." (Psalm 127:1) "... without Me you can do nothing" (see John 16:5 in I am the vine, you are the branches).

Which "John baptized with water" (Acts 1:5) and why?
See John the Baptist.

ACTS 1:6-7 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

What do you think about their question, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)
Despite Jesus' patient reminder, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority" (Acts 1:7), this is a disappointing question, for even after witnessing Jesus rise from the dead, they still don't understand that He had come on a spiritual mission aimed at all of mankind, not to politically restore Israel.

ACTS 1:8-9 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

What finally opened the spiritual eyes of the apostles?
The Holy Spirit coming upon them, for which Jesus told them "wait" (Acts 1:4) in Jerusalem.

What else did they receive when the Holy Spirit came upon them?
"Power" (Acts 1:8)

To do what?
"Be witnesses" (Acts 1:8) for Jesus.

Where are "Judea and Samaria" (Acts 1:8)?
See Judea and Samaria.

Does "to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8) include your neighborhood, school or place of work?

Could the disciples who "watched" (Acts 1:9) Jesus' ascension have been His witnesses in those places?

So who should?