On the 30th May 1996 I was having my afternoon break, thinking about my pottery order that I was in the process of completing, (Floral & Bible texts on china beakers) When I was gently rocked from side to side in my chair. At that moment the words that came into my mind, “The disciples where setting up the Kingdom of God at the beginning of Acts.”
On the 11th June I woke up with the words, “Jesus could only be received as the Messiah after his death, resurrection and ascension.” The two words came together, “The disciples were setting up the Kingdom of God in anticipation of his return with the angels of God.” The coming and receiving of the Messiah was a Jewish national calling.
“Jesus said, You are those who have continued with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22: 28-30.
Setting up the Kingdom of God Community at Jerusalem in anticipation of his return.
During the forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and his ascension, he spoke to his disciples about things concerning the Kingdom of God. Acts 1: 3.
We read that they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit in the house at Jerusalem. It was for a reason that they chose by lots Matthias to bring their number to twelve. In Peake’s Commentary he wrote that to comply with Mishna law ‘to form a town there must be 120 inhabitants; a council and the officers must be one tenth of the whole;’ it’s recorded that there were 120 people gathered in the house at Jerusalem. So, it seems likely that they needed Matthias to comply with the Mishna rules. It was confirmed by a prophecy “Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it; and his office let another take.” Acts 1: 20.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms.” Luke 12: 33.
After Pentecost the number grew continually and they remained there in Jerusalem where they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers. “All who believed were together and had all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all as they had need.” Acts 2: 42-45.
They had established a ‘kingdom community’ and put into practice Jesus words, “Do not lay up treasure on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. Matthew 6: 19, 20.
The rich ruler was advised by Jesus to sell all he possessed and distribute the proceeds to the poor and he would have treasure in heaven, Luke 18: 18-30.
The apostles were to be about their master’s business until he returned. “But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves his home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on watch. Watch therefore for you do not know when the master of the house will come.” Mark 13: 32-35.
The fire of judgment – the baptism of his death
The Jewish people were expecting the Messiah to bring in the ‘Day of wrath’ a day of judgement. Jesus knew this but spoke of his death before this day could took place. “I came to cast a fire upon the earth and how I would that it was kindled I have a baptism to be baptised with and how I am constrained until it is accomplished.” Luke 12: 49, 50.
Jesus indicated that he hoped to return within their lifetime.
“Jesus had said, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death before they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.” Mark 9: 1.
Soon after Pentecost Peter and John ministered to a severely disabled man at the Gate Beautiful in Jerusalem. Acts 3 The crowd marvelled at his healing. Peter addressed them saying that even though they and their rulers had acted in ignorance in condemning Jesus, their sin was before God and Peter knew that what God required was repentance. Peter said that if they repented their sins would be blotted out, and God would send the ‘times of refreshing’ which meant: the restoration of the land and throne of King David and God would send the appointed Christ, Jesus from heaven.
It was clearly believed by the apostle that Jesus would have returned soon after Pentecost
The commotion from the crowd had drawn the attention of the authorities, Peter and John were arrested.
They stood before the leading men of the council and witnessed that the crippled man had been healed in the name of Jesus, and they said, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The council decided to release them due to man being healed they warned them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John went to their friend’s house and they told them what the chief priests and elders had said and together they praised God saying:
“Why did the Gentiles rage and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth set themselves in array, and the rulers were gathered together, against his anointed. For truly in this city there were gathered together against thy holy servant Jesus whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, to do whatever thy hand and thy plan had predestined to take place.” Acts Chapters 3 & 4: 1-22. Psalm 2: 1.
The apostles had witnessed part of this prophecy being fulfilled at the trial before Pilate where the crowd made up of Gentiles and Jews condemned Jesus to death and also what Jesus prophesied would take place on his return. “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you know its desolation is near. . . . Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads because your redemption is near. . . . Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place. . . But watch at all times, praying that you have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and so to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21: 20, 28, 32, 36.
The scene was what the prophets had spoken about: the disciples and the community of followers would have been the remnant based in Jerusalem, surrounded by unbelieving Jews, and Gentiles.
I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob, I will gather the remnant of Israel; I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture,a noisy multitude of men.13 He who opens the breach will go up before them; they will break through and pass the gate, going out by it.Their king will pass on before them, the Lord at their head. Micah 2: 12, 13.
The community grew in number the good news had reached the towns around Jerusalem.
The apostles met daily in Solomon’s Portico within the temple, the presence of God working through the apostles especially Peter, he carried out judgement on Ananias and his wife Sapphira that caused many people to have a Godly fear and revere the apostles. On the evening of the day of his resurrection Jesus had anointed the apostles to either retain or forgive sin, to fulfil the office of judge in the Messiah’s kingdom. This was the ruling rod of iron of the kingdom. Psalm 2. Revelation 19: 15.
The people from towns around Jerusalem brought their sick onto the streets and they were healed. “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” Acts 5: 1-16. 6: 7.
Jesus said that he expected to return within the lifetime of that generation, but he didn’t return.
I believe that Jesus’ return was dependent on Israel’s leaders bringing the nation to repentance upon accepting Jesus as their nation’s Messiah at and after Pentecost. Jesus had indicated this when the Pharisees asked for a sign. He said, ”The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold something greater than Jonah is here.” Matthew 12: 41
John wrote, “He came to his own home and they received him not”. At Nazareth Jesus wasn’t welcomed as their Messiah. Also as a nation they weren’t convinced. “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor the will of the flesh nor the will of a man, but of God.” John 1: 11-13.
Luke ends the acts of the apostles with Paul’s meeting with the local Jews he records Paul’s words, “ . . . I have asked to see you and to speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” They replied, “ . . . but we desire to hear from you what your views are.” Paul testified to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. Some believed and some disbelieved. He realised that Isaiah’s words were still relevant, “Go to this people and say, You shall indeed hear but never understand and you shall indeed see but never perceive.” Isaiah 6: 9. Paul then said, “Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” Acts 28: 17, 20-31. Luke 14: 15-24.
Paul confirms by his words that for the Jewish people it was a national calling to receive the Messiah.