Knowing Jesus as Our Living Saviour: Lessons from Acts 1

Acts 1:1-3

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen:

3 To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Knowing Jesus as our living Saviour is the foundation of the Christian experience, as He demonstrated by showing Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs over a period of forty days Acts 1:3. This reality transforms our spiritual life from a dead formalism into a vibrant, living connection with a Redeemer who is currently interceding for us in the heavenly courts6MR 94.1+2.

The Triumphant Resurrection

The opening of the book of Acts confirms that Jesus did not remain in the grave but showed Himself alive through unmistakable evidence1SM 185.1+1.

• Forty Days of Instruction: During the forty days following His resurrection, Jesus dwelt upon the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, preparing His disciples for their future mission1SM 185.1+1.

• Infallible Proofs: He provided many proofs of His resurrection to those who had seen Him put to death, ensuring they knew He was a risen, living SaviourTDOC 70.1+1.

• Victory over Death: By bursting the bands of death and walking forth from Joseph’s tomb, Christ became the "first fruits" of them that sleep, giving us the certainty that we also shall be raised 1 Corinthians 15:20BEST August 15, 1893, par. 4+1.

Experience with a Living Saviour

To truly know Jesus is to move beyond a nominal belief and to have an experimental faith that works by love and purifies the soulST March 3, 1890, par. 5+1.

• Abiding Presence: When we receive His words, Jesus becomes an abiding presence that controls our thoughts, ideas, and actionsTM 389.1.

• Looking Away from Self: We often fail to receive blessings because we try to make ourselves worthy, rather than looking away from ourselves to a living SaviourCCh 47.4+1.

• The Power of the Resurrection: We know the power of His resurrection by experiencing the forgiveness of sins and the power to overcome them todayPTUK May 4, 1893, page 130.7+1.

• A Source of Joy: Because Jesus is not dead, our religious life should be characterized by peace, happiness, and joy, testifying to the world that we serve a risen Lord6MR 94.1+1.

The Work of the Redeemer

Jesus is our everything—the first, the last, and the best in everythingMYP 161.1+1.

• Atonement and Intercession: He is our atoning sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit points us to the intercession He makes for us at the right hand of GodST August 22, 1892, par. 5+1.

• The Source of Life: Without Christ, there would be no resurrection; He is literally the Resurrection and the Life for all humanityLTJMB4 273.1+1.

• Restoration of the Divine Image: As we look unto Jesus, we are changed into His image, reflecting His character to everyone around usMYP 161.1+2.

The Anchor of Faith

In times of trial and peril, having a living Saviour provides an anchor for the soul that is sure and steadfast Hebrews 11:6TDC May 15, 1889, page 6.4.

• Refuge in Affliction: When heart and flesh fail, Jesus throws His everlasting arms around us, offering joy and consolation in our sorrows19MR 293.2+1.

• Victory through Faith: The victory in our daily warfare is gained through faith, taking God at His naked promise rather than accepting feeling for faithCCh 47.4+1.

• The Hope of Glory: As we allow Christ to live in us, we find that He is our only hope of glory, and self is declared dead so that His life may be manifestedMYP 161.1+1.

Knowing Jesus as your personal, living Saviour means yielding your life fully to Him so that His resurrection power can work in you 2 Corinthians 4:10PTUK December 19, 1895, page 804.2+1. 🌟 It is this living connection that enables us to stand firm against the wiles of the enemy and prepares us for the future immortal life4T 212.3+2.