Did the Disciples ask the Wrong Question? When the disciples approached Jesus in Acts 1:6, did they get it wrong? What were they thinking?
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Act 1:6
Okay, I’ve written about this issue before. So why bring this up once again?
At the beginning of a one sermon, a pastor – who I think very highly of for his commitment to the truth of God’s Word – directed his listeners to Acts 1:6. I immediately cringed because as much as I love this man for his faithfulness, he is also an amillennialist and a proponent of (I surmise) Fulfillment Theology.
Unfortunately I became transfixed to that segment – like a stuck record – while everyone else moved on. To my shame I can’t now fully recall the rest of the sermon. That says more about me than this good pastor. Even so, I want to respond.
The pastor asserted that even though the disciples were treated to a forty day Bible study regarding the kingdom prior to Christ’s ascension, they still didn’t get the memo. In his mind, their question made it obvious they hadn’t paid attention or grasped Christ’s teaching.
He noted that many in our day are similarly obsessed with questions about the kingdom; with dates and times and future temples. Then he said that, like the disciples, we need to understand the way in which the application of the Old Testament is fulfilled in Jesus.
Well let’s start here:
Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (The Great Commission) Luke 24:44-47 See also Luke 24:13-26; Acts 1:3.
Christ opened the disciples’ eyes to understand what Moses and the Psalms spoke of Him. He actually expected the two disciples on the road back to Emmaus to have understood what they’d plainly read in the OT pertaining to Him. Note that they didn’t have the NT to interpret the OT for them.
Why assume they got it wrong after the forty days? In fact Jesus is less bothered by their question than some Replacement theologians presumably are. Throughout the gospels it is characteristic of Him to correct and rebuke bad theology. But Christ didn’t in this case. Why?
If the pastor’s premise is true Jesus might have responded, “What are you saying? Haven’t you paid attention? Do you not realize I’ve fulfilled all these things?” Instead we get this…
And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (The Great Commission)“ Act 1:7-8
Christ wasn’t being soft on them because He was going away. His “time response” implicitly validated the question – It simply wasn’t time yet and they weren’t given to know when. In fact there were OT prophecies which Christ didn’t directly fulfill. His coming and work on the cross paved the way for their fulfillment, just like our future glorification.
The NT Jesus wasn’t reinterpreting OT prophecy when He said:
“Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Mat 19:28
One has to reinterpret these “twelve tribes of Israel” into a Gentile Inclusive Church (or something else) in order to keep an exclusive ethnic-Israel out of the picture. But then this isn’t the NT being applied to understand the OT – this is church tradition reinterpreting the NT.
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Rom 11:26-29
Paul referenced the New Covenant spoken of in Jeremiah 31 (See also Jer 33; Ezek 36-37; Amos 9:14-15 and elsewhere). This New Covenant with ethnic-national-Israel involved its salvation and an irrevocable promise that it would never cease to be a nation. In other words, God promised the restoration of the kingdom of Israel at some future point.
I’ve heard the sentiment that at one time someone professed a deep interest in “prophecy” and got caught up with bizarre claims of helicopters in Revelation and setting of dates. So they repent and embrace amillennialism.
There certainly are abuses of prophecy by some premillennialists. These abuses do not negate God’s prophetic promises. On the other hand there are premillennial Reformed folk who take a sober view of Israel and prophecy.
In summing up: the disciples were right to ask the question. However, Jesus reminded them of the work that needed to be done. That’s the other side of the Acts 1:6-7 coin.
Maranatha!
Further reading:
Why Does the Church need Eschatology?
Acts 1:6-7 and the Restoration of Israel
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