I. Introduction
a. The book of Acts was written by Luke, the physician to Theophilus as a supplement to the Gospel of Luke.
b. The Gospel of Luke relates "all that Jesus begun both to do and teach", whereas the Acts of the Apostles begins with the Ascension of Jesus and tells the story of how the gospel was spread for beyond the confines of the Jewish community to those of the whole world.
c. In fact, Acts 1:8, a verse of focus in today’s study, may serve as an outline for the entire book: “and you will be witnesses to Me, in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the world!”
d. One can fathom a gradual movement from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, and to the world as the reader navigates through the book of Acts.
e. In our text, specifically Acts 1:1-11, are some of the last commands from Jesus just prior to His ascension. These promises and commands are the place where we begin our journey in understanding the Promise of the Holy Spirit.