Acts 1:4

Letters to the Faithful - Acts 1:4

Berean Standard Bible

And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss.

King James Bible

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.

Greek:

Καὶ συναλιζόμενος παρήγγειλεν αὐτοῖς ἀπὸ Ἱεροσολύμων μὴ χωρίζεσθαι, ἀλλὰ περιμένειν τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ Πατρὸς ἣν ἠκούσατέ μου.

Transliteration:

Kai synalizomenos parēngeilen autois apo Hierosolymōn mē chōrizesthai, alla perimenein tēn epangelian tou Patros hēn ēkousate mou.

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And while they were gathered together

This phrase indicates a communal setting, emphasizing the importance of fellowship among the disciples. Gathering together was a common practice for early Christians, reflecting Jewish traditions of communal worship and study. This setting underscores the unity and shared purpose among the disciples as they awaited further instructions from Jesus.

He commanded them

The use of "commanded" highlights the authority of Jesus over His disciples. This is not a mere suggestion but a directive from their risen Lord. It reflects the obedience expected of followers of Christ, aligning with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, where Jesus instructs His disciples to make disciples of all nations.

Do not leave Jerusalem

Jerusalem holds significant historical and theological importance. It is the city where Jesus was crucified and resurrected, and it is the center of Jewish worship. By instructing the disciples to remain in Jerusalem, Jesus is setting the stage for the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such as those found in Isaiah 2:3 and Micah 4:2, which speak of the word of the Lord going forth from Jerusalem.

but wait for the gift the Father promised

The "gift" refers to the Holy Spirit, as promised in the Old Testament (e.g., Joel 2:28-29) and reiterated by Jesus in John 14:16-17. This promise signifies the new covenant and the empowerment of believers to carry out the mission of the church. The waiting period tests the disciples' faith and patience, preparing them for the transformative experience of Pentecost.

which you have heard Me discuss

Jesus had previously spoken to His disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit, as seen in John 14:26 and John 16:7-15. This reminder serves to reassure the disciples of the continuity of Jesus' mission and the fulfillment of His promises. It also emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and empowering the early church, marking a new era in God's redemptive plan.

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The verse of Acts 1:4, which records that Jesus, "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," stands as a pivotal moment in the narrative of the early Church, marking the transition from the earthly ministry of Christ to the empowerment of His disciples for the mission of the gospel. Spoken in the days following His resurrection, this directive from the risen Lord to His apostles, as recounted by Luke, establishes the foundation for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the subsequent spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth. To probe the depths of this verse is to encounter the divine preparation of the Church for its apostolic calling, revealing the centrality of obedience, patience, and the promise of God’s Spirit in the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes.

The context of Acts 1:4 is the forty days after Christ’s resurrection, during which He appeared to His disciples, speaking of the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Gathered with them, likely in Jerusalem, Jesus issues a command that is both specific and laden with eschatological significance. The phrase “being assembled together with them” (Greek: *synalizomenos*) suggests an intimate moment of communion, where the risen Lord, having triumphed over death, imparts final instructions to His followers. This setting evokes the farewell discourses of the Gospel accounts, particularly John 14-16, where Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure and promises the coming of the Holy Spirit. The command to “not depart from Jerusalem” anchors the disciples in the holy city, the spiritual and prophetic center of Israel, where the promises of God are to be fulfilled. Jerusalem, as the place of Christ’s death and resurrection, becomes the stage for the next act in God’s redemptive drama, where the Spirit will empower the Church to bear witness to the risen Savior.

The heart of Jesus’ command is to “wait for the promise of the Father,” a directive that underscores both the certainty of God’s pledge and the necessity of patient dependence upon Him. The “promise of the Father” refers to the gift of the Holy Spirit, foretold by the prophets (Joel 2:28-29; Isaiah 44:3) and reiterated by Jesus Himself during His ministry (John 14:16-17; 16:7). This promise, as Jesus reminds them, “ye have heard of me,” points to His earlier teachings, where He assured the disciples that the Spirit would come to guide, empower, and indwell them. The command to wait is not a call to passivity but to active expectation, a posture of trust and readiness for the divine empowerment that will equip them for their mission. This waiting reflects a biblical pattern seen in Israel’s history, where periods of anticipation—such as the wilderness wanderings or the exile—precede God’s mighty acts of deliverance and renewal.

Theologically, Acts 1:4 reveals the Trinitarian nature of God’s redemptive work, where the Father’s promise, fulfilled through the Son, is realized by the Spirit’s coming. The verse underscores the continuity between Jesus’ earthly ministry and the Church’s mission, as the same Spirit who anointed Jesus (Luke 4:18) will now anoint His followers to continue His work. The command to remain in Jerusalem also carries messianic significance, fulfilling prophecies that God’s salvation would go forth from Zion (Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2). By rooting the disciples in Jerusalem, Jesus ensures that the gospel’s proclamation begins at the heart of Israel, fulfilling the covenant promises before radiating outward to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). This geographic progression reflects the universal scope of the gospel, which begins in the particularity of Israel’s story but extends to all nations, as foretold by the prophets and accomplished through Christ.

The emphasis on waiting for the Spirit’s coming highlights the indispensable role of divine empowerment in the Church’s mission. The disciples, though witnesses of the resurrection and recipients of Jesus’ teaching, are not yet equipped to fulfill their calling apart from the Spirit’s enablement. This dependence upon the Spirit echoes the Old Testament pattern, where God’s servants—such as Moses, David, or the prophets—relied on His Spirit to accomplish His purposes. It also prefigures the events of Pentecost (Acts 2), where the Spirit’s outpouring transforms the disciples from fearful followers into bold witnesses, proclaiming the gospel with power and conviction. The command to wait, therefore, is a call to trust in God’s timing and provision, a reminder that human effort alone cannot accomplish divine purposes.

For the early Christian community, to whom Luke wrote, Acts 1:4 would have carried profound encouragement and challenge. Facing persecution and the daunting task of spreading the gospel in a hostile world, they were reminded that their mission rested not on their own strength but on the promise of the Father, fulfilled through Christ and realized by the Spirit. The command to wait would have resonated with a community called to persevere in faith, trusting that God’s Spirit would continue to guide and empower them. The reference to Jerusalem would have also affirmed the Jewish roots of their faith, grounding the universal mission of the Church in the covenant history of Israel, even as it expanded to include Gentiles.

For the modern reader, Acts 1:4 remains a timeless exhortation to trust in God’s promises and to wait upon His Spirit. The command to remain in Jerusalem challenges believers to root themselves in the places and purposes God has appointed, resisting the temptation to act in haste or self-reliance. The call to wait invites reflection on the discipline of patient faith, a posture that acknowledges human limitations and trusts in divine timing. In a world driven by urgency and self-sufficiency, this verse reminds the faithful that the Church’s mission—whether in evangelism, service, or worship—depends upon the Spirit’s power, not human ingenuity. It also encourages believers to recall the promise of the Spirit’s presence, a gift that continues to indwell and empower the Church for its witness to Christ.

Thus, Acts 1:4 stands as a cornerstone of the Church’s apostolic calling, proclaiming the necessity of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment and the certainty of God’s promise. Through Jesus’ command, the disciples are prepared for the transformative events of Pentecost, where the Spirit will equip them to bear witness to the risen Lord. The verse beckons the reader to embrace a posture of expectant faith, to trust in the Father’s promise, and to rely on the Spirit’s power for the work of the gospel. In this moment of divine instruction, we see the dawn of the Church’s mission, a mission rooted in obedience, sustained by grace, and propelled by the Spirit toward the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for the world.

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Grace be unto you, beloved brethren and sisters, and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, who has loved us with an everlasting love and called us to His eternal kingdom. I write to you in the bonds of the gospel, that you may be encouraged in your faith and strengthened in the hope which is laid up for you in heaven.

It is written in the Acts of the Apostles, concerning the words of our risen Lord: “While He was 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.”

Beloved, consider this word and take it to heart, for it speaks to the calling of all who would walk by faith and not by sight. Here is revealed both the patience of the saints and the abundant faithfulness of our God.

After His glorious resurrection, our Lord remained with His disciples, teaching them concerning the kingdom of God. Yet though they had seen His victory over death and heard His words with their own ears, they were not yet sent forth to the ends of the earth. Rather, they were charged with this simple command: to wait—not in fear, but in expectation; not in idleness, but in prayerful readiness.

For the promise of the Father had not yet been fulfilled in them. The Spirit, who had been with them, was soon to dwell within them in power. The baptism foretold by John and declared by Jesus was soon to come, and they were to be clothed with power from on high. Until then, they were to remain in Jerusalem, steadfast in prayer and united in hope.

Herein lies a lesson for the church in every age. Though we have received the great salvation of God, though we rejoice in the finished work of Christ, we too are called to wait upon the Lord for His further working in us and through us. The command to wait is not a denial of His promises, but a preparation for their fulfillment. The God who speaks does not lie; the God who promises will surely act. Yet He does so in His appointed time, and it is ours to trust and obey.

Consider also that the disciples were not sent forth until they had received the power of the Spirit. Human strength, human wisdom, human zeal—these are not sufficient for the work of the kingdom. Only by the enabling of the Holy Spirit can the church bear faithful witness to Christ. Therefore, beloved, let us not lean on our own understanding or strive in the energy of the flesh, but let us seek continually the filling and leading of the Spirit.

And let us embrace the call to patient waiting. In a world that prizes haste and despises delay, the discipline of waiting upon God is often neglected. Yet they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. The early church, gathered in the upper room, gave themselves to prayer and supplication. So too must we cultivate the posture of expectant waiting, that we may be ready for all that God would do in and through us.

Moreover, let us not forget that the promise of the Father is not a one-time gift, but a continuing provision. The Spirit who was poured out at Pentecost is given to all who believe, and we are exhorted to be continually filled with the Spirit. The power, the comfort, the guidance, the fruit of the Spirit—these are the inheritance of every child of God. Yet how often do we neglect so great a gift! Let us therefore seek the Lord with renewed desire, that His Spirit may fill every part of our lives.

Take heart, beloved, in the certainty of God’s promises. Though the disciples waited in the shadow of uncertainty, the day of Pentecost surely came. The rushing mighty wind, the tongues of fire, the bold proclamation of the gospel—these were not the fruit of human effort, but the fulfillment of divine promise. So too, every promise of God is Yes and Amen in Christ. Though the vision may tarry, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

And let us remember that the purpose of the promise is not for personal gain, but for the glory of God and the advance of His kingdom. The disciples were empowered to be witnesses—first in Jerusalem, then in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. So it is with us. The Spirit equips us not merely for our own comfort, but that we may shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life.

Therefore, beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Wait upon Him with patience; seek Him with fervent prayer; trust Him with unwavering faith. The promise of the Father is sure, His timing is perfect, and His Spirit is mighty to accomplish all that He has purposed.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, now and forevermore.

Amen.

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Almighty and everlasting God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Giver of every good and perfect gift, the One who was, and is, and is to come, we lift our hearts before You this day in reverence and in hope. You are the God who speaks and it is done; who promises and brings it to pass. You are faithful and true, and Your steadfast love endures forever.

O Lord, it is written concerning our risen Savior that “while He was 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.” We praise You, O God, for the riches of this word and for the glorious promises You have given to Your people. We thank You that the promise of the Holy Spirit, long foretold by prophets and confirmed by the words of our Lord Jesus, has been poured out upon all flesh. We bless You that the Comforter has come, that Your people are not left as orphans, but are indwelt and empowered by Your Spirit.

Yet even as the disciples were called to wait in patient trust for the fulfillment of the promise, so too are we called to wait upon You, O Lord. Teach us, therefore, the holy discipline of waiting. In a world that rushes and strives, in a generation that esteems the work of human hands, grant us the grace to be still before You. Let us not run ahead of Your leading nor grow weary in the place of prayer, but help us to rest in Your perfect timing and to trust in Your unfailing Word.

O Lord, as the early church was gathered with one accord in prayer and supplication, may we also be a people united in spirit and devoted to prayer. Stir within us a hunger for Your presence and a longing for the fullness of Your Spirit. Kindle in us a holy expectation that You will do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.

We confess, O Lord, that too often we rely upon our own strength, our own wisdom, our own understanding. Too often we are eager to act before we have sought Your face, quick to labor but slow to listen. Forgive us, we pray. Cleanse us from self-reliance and grant us a deeper dependence upon You. May we be a people who walk by the Spirit, who live by faith, who are led by Your hand.

Grant us also, O Father, an abiding desire for the fullness of Your Spirit—not for our own glory or for the advancement of our own name, but that we might be faithful witnesses to Christ. Empower us to speak the truth in love, to bear fruit that will endure, to serve with humility and joy. Let the gifts of the Spirit be manifest among us for the building up of the body and the furthering of Your kingdom.

We pray, O Lord, for Your church throughout the earth. Where she is weary, renew her strength. Where she is divided, bring unity. Where she is complacent, awaken her to fresh zeal. Where she is persecuted, grant her courage. May the promise of the Father be fulfilled anew in every place, that the whole earth may be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

And, O Lord, may the same Spirit who empowered the apostles now empower us to go forth as Your witnesses—to our families, to our communities, to our nation, and to the ends of the earth. May we not shrink back in fear nor falter in faith, but go forth with boldness and compassion, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ with joy and with power.

Finally, we pray, O God, that You would keep us steadfast in the hope of Your promises. Though we wait, let us not grow faint. Though we pray, let us not lose heart. Though the days may be long, let our expectation never diminish. For You who have promised are faithful, and You will surely do it.

Now unto You, O Lord, who are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, to You be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen.