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Congregation Bible study (30 mins.): bt chap. 2 paras. 8-15.
“To the farthest part of the earth” (Acts 1:6-12)
8, 9. a) What two wrong ideas did the apostles have?
The apostles had two wrong ideas. The first idea was that they believed that God's rule would be returned to the nation of Israel. And the second misconception was that they expected the promised Kingdom to begin immediately.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
And something interesting that the paragraph mentions is that the apostles were full of curiosity. For this reason, they asked Jesus if he was going to restore the Kingdom in Israel at that time. Hence the importance of not falling into impatience and curiosity to know beyond what Jehovah tells us through his word, since this could lead us to have wrong ideas, and not trust the teachings that Jehovah gives us through Her organization.
They believed that God's rule would be restored specifically to the nation of Israel, understanding the Kingdom of God as tied directly to their National Political environment of Israel. That is to say, they thought that things were going to continue as in the time of Moses or David where only Israel had approval.
They expected that this promised Kingdom would begin immediately, expressing their expectation by asking if it would be, "At this time," implying that they envisioned a prompt realization of that Kingdom in Israel.
8, 9. b) How did Jesus help his apostles?
Jesus helped his apostles by correcting the second misconception. He kindly reminded them that it was not their place to know the times or epochs that the father had placed under his own authority. For this reason Jesus indicated to them that only God has the authority to decide when his will is fulfilled. Furthermore, Jesus admitted that not even he himself knew the day and hour of the end, but only the father did not know.
Jesus knew that his apostles would rectify the first misconception on their own, since 10 days later they would witness the birth of spiritual Israel, thus the nation of Israel would cease to be the people of God. So rather, he concentrated on helping them with the second misconception by kindly reminding them that it was not their place to know the times or epochs that the father had placed under his own authority, since only he decides when the obligation is fulfilled. will of him.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jesus let the passage of time clarify the doubts the apostles had, but he did answer their second question, when he told them that it was not their role to know the specific times or the seasons designated by the father, but rather their job was to focus as witnesses of his message.
In fact, shortly before dying, Jesus admitted to his Apostles that at that time, not even he himself knew, "The day and the hour in which the end would come."
8, 9. b) And what does his response teach us?
This lesson invites us to have humility and trust in God's will and plan, to live each day in accordance with the principles of the Kingdom and to be prepared, without becoming obsessed with trying to decipher precise dates or times.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
This teaches us that we should not be aware of the exact date that the end will come, since it is something that is not our responsibility to know.
The teaching he leaves us is that we should not become obsessed with trying to predict the exact moment of the end time, Jesus himself admitted that this information was reserved for the father. So he urges us to live prepared and committed to our work in spreading the Kingdom message rather than being distracted by speculation about the exact timing of Jehovah's day.
10. What attitude of the apostles should we imitate, and why?
The attitude of the apostles that we must imitate is their vigilance and willingness to accept correction with humility. Although they could make mistakes, they had strong faith and were eager to recognize spiritual signs of divine intervention. As we read in the texts of Matthew 24:42- 25:13-26:41, Jesus urged them to always be vigilant. Today, we are advised to emulate that attitude, especially as we live in what is considered "The Last Days," a momentous period for staying spiritually awake.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We must humbly accept the new clarifications and corrections of Jesus through the faithful slave. We must also always be alert and awake in a spiritual sense. For we must not allow the desire to see the signs of Jehovah's intervention to cool. On the contrary, we must be eager and with a positive attitude, especially since we live in the most urgent and momentous period in human history, "The Last Days."
The apostles, although they were mistaken in their temporal expectations, had a disposition to be alert and expectant before the manifestation of God's will, which is an example that each of us should follow.
This attitude of spiritual vigilance implies being attentive to the signs of the times, living in accordance with God's principles and being prepared, without falling into complacency or spiritual passivity. Jesus urged them to be always alert, and this not only referred to observing the physical world, but also to being spiritually awake.
10. And why?
Because in our day, we live in a time that is considered the last days. Therefore, imitating the vigilant attitude of the Apostles becomes even more relevant. This means remaining faithful to God's principles and being prepared to face the spiritual challenges that arise. Staying vigilant helps us strengthen our faith, to be ready for the fulfillment of future promises.
11, 12. a) What commission did Jesus give to his disciples?
Jesus gave them the commission to speak of his resurrection as his witnesses, so they were to carry out this work first in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the furthest part of the Earth, as mentioned in Acts 1:8.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jesus reminded them that they should be attentive, because they would receive the Holy Spirit to fulfill the commission of being his witnesses. They had to proclaim the resurrection of Christ further and further away. First in Jerusalem, the city where he was executed. Then throughout Judea. Then in Samaria and then in much more remote regions
As we see, this commission not only involved sharing its message in nearby places, but also reaching increasingly remote regions, which shows that it is a task of utmost importance.
11, 12. b) Why was it good for Jesus to mention the holy spirit before giving them the commission to preach?
It was very good because they remembered that to fulfill their important commission, they would have an assistant.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It was good that Jesus mentioned the holy spirit before giving them the commission to preach, because he reminded them that they would receive power when the holy spirit came upon them. The book of Acts repeatedly highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in fulfilling Jehovah's will. For by receiving the help of the Holy Spirit, the disciples would be enabled to proclaim the resurrection of Christ further and further away, beginning in Jerusalem and spreading to the most distant regions. The holy spirit would be your guide and strength in this mission, and for that reason we must not stop asking for it as Luke 11:13 urges us.
By mentioning the Holy Spirit, Jesus emphasized the need to depend on God's help rather than relying solely on your own strength or abilities. This dependence would strengthen his faith and remind him that the work he undertook was fueled by the grace and power of God.
The holy spirit would not only help them at that specific moment, but would be a constant presence and source of strength in all their future work. This ensured that they were not alone in their task, but would have divine guidance every step of the way.
That reminder was very important before fulfilling his commission to proclaim the resurrection of Christ, because it would not be an easy job. From there the book of facts highlights again and again that it is impossible to do the will of Jehovah without the help of that spirit. And it is also important that today's Jehovah's Witnesses keep in mind that it is vital to ask God every day to be able to fulfill our commission.
The emphasis on the importance of the Holy Spirit in the book in fact highlights the continuing need for divine help to carry out God's will. This teaches us the importance of daily seeking the guidance and power of the holy spirit in our lives, to fulfill God's purposes and live according to his will.
13. How far should we go in preaching, and why should we participate in it with enthusiasm?
The preaching commission encompasses a global reach, reaching all parts of the world. For Christians today, this command involves a much larger territory than the disciples had in the first century. The main reason for participating in this work with enthusiasm lies in the desire to fulfill the will of God, who wants all people to have the opportunity to hear the good news of the Kingdom.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We must reach the farthest part of the Earth with our preaching, because Jehovah wants all kinds of people to hear the good news of the kingdom so that they may have the opportunity to save their lives. And we accept our commission with pleasure, because for us there is no other task that gives us as much satisfaction as saving lives through the work of the Kingdom. Furthermore, Jehovah gives us the strength and all the information we need about the methods and attitude necessary to be efficient.
The reason why we should participate enthusiastically in preaching is because Christians have accepted the commission to preach the good news of the kingdom, with the understanding that Jehovah desires that all classes of people hear this saving message according to 1 Timothy 2:3,4. It stands out that this work helps save lives and provides unique satisfaction. That is why it is very important to participate in it with enthusiasm.
Furthermore, participating in preaching is a work that offers unique satisfaction, since it is a work that contributes to the salvation of lives, bringing the message of hope and salvation to others. Furthermore, when carrying out this work, you have the support and strength that God provides to carry it out effectively.
14, 15. a) What did the angels say about the return of Christ, and what were they referring to? (See also note).
The Angels indicated that Jesus would return in the same way they saw him go to heaven. However, this statement did not refer to returning with the same physical body, as some interpretations might suggest.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It is essential to say that Jesus would return in the same way in which they saw him go to heaven. The Angels did not say that Jesus would return in the same form as a physical body, rather they meant that he would return in the same way, in a spiritual form. Visible only to those who have spiritual understanding.
According to the Greek note, this verse does not use the term "Morphe", which means form, but rather uses "Tropos", which means manner. For this reason we read that in Acts 1:11. The Angels said: Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus, who was with you and was taken up to heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him go to heaven.
In fact, previously and according to Luke 17:20, Jesus was still in Samaria or Galilee, it is there that the Pharisees asked him: When will the Kingdom come. They believe that his arrival will be spectacular and ostentatious. But Jesus answers them: The kingdom of God comes in a way that can be clearly observed. Nor will people say, "Look if he is here or there." Why, notice that the kingdom of God is in your midst. But as we already know, the Pharisees lacked spiritual understanding, which is why they did not understand these words well.
14, 15. b) In what sense has Christ returned “in the same way” in which he left?
The Return of Christ "In the same way" does not refer to a physical return, but to a similar way of manifesting Himself. When the Angels said that Jesus would return the same way he left, they meant that his surroundings would be discreetly invisible to most and recognizable only to those with deep spiritual understanding.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In the sense that his return has not been physical, but spiritual. for only those who have spiritual understanding can perceive his presence and recognize the signs of his rule as King of the Kingdom of God. Therefore, we must recognize the evidence of his presence and explain it to people so that they also understand that they have to serve God as soon as possible, because time is running out.
This refers to the fact that, just as his departure was not witnessed by everyone, his return would be recognized only by those with spiritual understanding. Rather than returning physically with the same body, the text suggests that Christ has returned spiritually, ruling as King of the Kingdom of God, and only those with spiritual discernment can realize his presence.
It should be noted that the Angels referred to the way Jesus walked and not the form, because when a cloud overtook him, he became invisible to the human eye. In this regard, Acts 11 shows that his Ascension was not an ostentatious event, accompanied by great hubbub, but was seen only by a handful of faithful followers, his Apostles who only witnessed the beginning. In this way, they only observed how he ascended to heaven, which would allow them to be witnesses of that fact, as they were witnesses of his resurrection. What the Angels wanted to tell the disciples was that there was no reason to stare at the sky waiting for Jesus to appear again in his sight, since the cloud had taken him away and he was now invisible. He would return in the same way, that is, invisibly without being noticed by physical eyes.
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