Acts 1 | Daily Bible Reading & Reflection

Acts 1 Devotional: Witness the ascension of Jesus Christ and the promise of His return. Explore the early Church’s wait for the Holy Spirit and the preparation for a global mission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations.

Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to Acts Chapter 1. We have seen the empty tomb and the risen Savior, and now we stand with the disciples on the Mount of Olives. This is a chapter of transition—from the physical presence of Jesus to the spiritual empowerment of His followers. Let us enter this study with a heart ready to receive the same "power from on high" that changed the world.

Acts Chapter 1 Introduction:

The Ascended Lord and the Promise of Power

Acts 1, written by Luke, picks up exactly where the Gospels leave off. For forty days after His resurrection, Jesus taught His disciples about the Kingdom of God. Before ascending into heaven, He gave them a final, world-changing command: to stay in Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. As they watched Him rise into the clouds, two angels appeared with a glorious promise: this same Jesus will return in the same way He went. The chapter concludes with the small band of believers united in prayer, waiting and preparing for the mission ahead.

What can we learn from this today? In this chapter, we see the sovereignty and timing of God. When the disciples asked about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, Jesus redirected their focus to their mission: being witnesses "to the ends of the earth." As your Statement of Faith affirms, we believe in the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers for godly living and service. We also hold to the promise that Jesus, who now intercedes for us as our High Priest, will come again in glory. Acts 1 teaches us that the Church’s strength does not come from political power or human strategy, but from a total reliance on the Holy Spirit and a steadfast hope in Christ’s return.

Bible Verse - Acts 1

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“‘May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,’

and,

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Prayer

The Scripture says the believers "joined together constantly in prayer." As we await the movements of God in our own lives, let us join our hearts together in this same spirit of unity and expectation.

Prayer Theme: "Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth"

Dear Heavenly Father, We praise You for the exaltation of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We believe that He has ascended to Your right hand and that He will one day return in glory to judge the living and the dead. Thank You for the promise of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us and guides us into all truth.

Lord, I ask that You would empower me today to be a faithful witness for You. Just as the early disciples waited in Jerusalem, help me to wait on Your timing and Your strength rather than rushing ahead in my own wisdom. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that my life, my words, and my actions would point others toward the salvation found in Jesus alone. Grant us, as Your Church, a spirit of unity and constant prayer. May we be a people who are not distracted by dates and times, but are consumed with the mission of sharing the Gospel with our neighbors and the nations. We trust in Your sovereign plan for history and look forward with joy to the day of Your return. Amen.

Daily Application Question

The disciples were told to wait for "power from on high" before they began their mission. Is there an area of your life where you are trying to work in your own strength? How can you surrender that to the Holy Spirit today?

Frequently Asked Questions about Acts 1

Why did Jesus have to ascend to heaven? His ascension marked the completion of His earthly mission and allowed Him to send the Holy Spirit to be with all believers everywhere. It also established Him as our High Priest interceding for us before the Father.
What does it mean to be a "witness"? In the Greek, the word is martus, from which we get "martyr." It means to give a first-hand account of what one has seen and heard. As Christians, we witness to the reality of Jesus' resurrection and His power to save.
Why was Matthias chosen to replace Judas? The number twelve was significant as it represented the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the "New Israel" or the Church. Matthias was chosen because he had been a witness to Jesus’ ministry from His baptism to His ascension.

Thank you for joining us for the beginning of the Book of Acts. May you walk today in the power of the Spirit and the hope of Christ’s return. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow for the fire and wind of Acts Chapter 2.

Navigate the Journey

Previous: ← Gospel of John Chapter 21 | Next: Acts Chapter 2 →

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