Why did Jesus rebuke his disciples_
(Luke 24:1-49; Acts 1:12-26; 2:1-41; 1 Corinthians 11:1) Blog Nov. 5-11, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: God calls every believer in Jesus to leave their comfort zone and invite others to come and see the love of God expressed for them. What God did for us in Jesus is their message. By willingly submitting to God’s call, they go where he wants them to go and say what he wants them to say to whom he sends them. God works with them to fill his church with disciples who continually desire to learn more about God.
Informed Faith
1. When did Jesus’ disciples begin to grasp the depth of their message to the world? When they grasped the meaning of Christ’s resurrection the disciples began to grasp the depth of their message to the world (Matt. 17:9; 26:31-32; Mark 9:9-10; John 2:19-22; Acts 2:29-32; 17:2-3; 1 Cor. 15:14-17).
2. What did the women that came to Jesus’ tomb on Sunday morning demonstrate? The women demonstrated that while they loved Jesus, they either did not understand or didn’t believe God’s prophets nor Jesus’ own words (Luke 24:1-3).
3. What did the women tell Christ’s disciples when they came running from the empty tomb? The women told the disciples what the two angels told them: that Jesus was risen just as he had promised (Luke 24:4-9).
4. How did the disciples receive the report from the women that said Jesus was resurrected? The disciples thought the women were making up stories & did not believe them (Luke 24:11).
5. What was Jesus’ response to two unbelieving disciples on the road to Emmaus? Jesus rebuked the unbelieving disciples for not believing what the prophets had spoken (Luke 24:25-26).
6. When Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples why did he rebuke them? Jesus rebuked them for their unbelief, their hardness of heart, for not believing the women, & for not recognizing his mission as foretold in the Old Testament (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:44-46).
7. What should these stories about those who first heard of Christ’s resurrection teach us about preparation for mission? These stories should teach that we cannot go out to evangelize others until we have first believed in the risen Christ & understand why he had to die & what his resurrection signified (Matt. 16:21; Acts 13:32-34; Rom. 4:24-25; 10:9).
Putting Things in Order (mutual agreement: no meetings – just sheets – right in his own eyes)
8. Upon returning to Jerusalem after Jesus’ ascension what did the disciples do first? They gathered in the upper room (Acts 1:12-13).
9. What does Luke mean when he writes “These all continued with one accord”? The 120 believers gathered in the upper room must have counseled together & agreed on how to face the future (Josh. 1:2; Acts 1:14; 15:25).
10. For what were the 120 believers in the upper room praying? Most likely their prayers were thanksgiving for a resurrected Savior, for the forgiveness of their unbelief, for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, for wisdom on how to proceed, & for boldness to proclaim the gospel of Jesus (Acts 1:14; 4:24-30; Zech. 10:1; Jam. 1:5).
11. With what other activity did the disciples in the upper room occupy themselves as they waited for the gift of the Spirit? The disciples occupied themselves with church organization: with choosing a new leader to replace Judas (Acts 1:15-26).
12. On what basis did Peter stand up and initiate the selection of a replacement for Judas? Peter, as recognized leader of the early church moved to choose a replacement for Judas based on Holy Scripture (Acts 1:20; Psalm 69:25; 109:8).
13. What should the events in the upper room teach us about preparation for mission? They demonstrate the need to pray, to counsel together, to organize, & to agree on a Bible-based plan before entering our mission (Prov. 15:22; 1 Cor. 14:40; Rom. 10:13-15; Jam. 1:5).
14. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost did the disciples wait for further instructions from heaven? No, they already knew that they were to be witnesses to the wonderful works of God & immediately proclaimed the gospel of Christ’s life, death, & resurrection (Acts 2:1-40; 1 Cor. 11:1).
15. What activities strengthened the new believers in the early church? The believers were baptized, continued learning doctrine, fellowshipped & prayed with other believers, helped one another economically, & continually praised God while observing his miracles (Acts 2:41-47).
Motivation
16. What motivated the disciples of Jesus to leave their comfort zones and go on missions? Primarily Jesus’ love for them moved the disciples into mission service. Next, their love for Jesus prompted them to serve. Finally, their love for others motivated them to go in search of lost human beings (1 Cor. 10:33; 2 Cor. 5:13-15; 1 John 4:10-11, 19).
17. How can we develop a love for Jesus? Only by contemplating what Jesus has done for us can we develop a love for him (John 17:3; Rom. 5:6-8).
18. What can we learn about preparation and motivation for mission from what we studied this week? We have often each done what was right in his own eyes without counseling, organizing, & agreeing on a mission strategy. Let’s apply what we have learned (Acts 1:14-26).