Seventh Sunday of Easter: Ascension of the Lord Acts 1:1-11

Preaching Commentary

An Introduction from Luke

Our passage begins with a note from the author (Luke) to his reader (Theophilus), which reminds us that Luke-Acts was initially meant to be two parts of the story of God’s reign in the world, begun by the incarnational ministry of Jesus and then continued by the church, which, as we will see, will be reliant upon the Holy Spirit, which Jesus himself promises will be sent once his earthly ministry is complete.

In his introductory remarks, Luke describes what took place in the first book, the gospel (Jesus’ earthly ministry culminating in his death and resurrection) and how those events were then followed by more post-resurrection teaching from Jesus to his flock…