”But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8New International Version (NIV)
Acts 1:8 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)
The Power of the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:8 captures Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples regarding the power of the Holy Spirit and the consequent spread of the gospel. Therefore, Jesus basically told them that they had to wait for the promised Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28). And once the Holy Spirit had come upon them, they could go to the ends of the earth with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Israel’s strategic location
Furthermore, the location of Israel is very strategic because the country is located centrally on the map of the world. So, the disciples were strategically located to spread the gospel of the kingdom of God to the ends of the earth.
The disciples were not on their own
Nevertheless, Jesus wanted his disciples to understand that He was not sending them alone or by their own authority to spread the gospel (preach). But He would still be present in their ministry by His Spirit. And by His Spirit, they would have the power (authority) to do what He did and say what He said (Acts 1:8).
Moreover, from the Bible’s book of Acts, the Holy Spirit did indeed come on the day of Pentecost. And He empowered the disciples for both life and ministry.
Additionally, the beauty of the power of the Holy Spirit is that it begins, not with our natural abilities, but with looking outside of ourselves. Therefore, as witnesses, the disciples only needed to truthfully describe truthfully the events they had seen or heard. After all, they had been given the power to speak of the transformation that God worked in them.
The Mission
Furthermore, the mission of the disciples was to “teach their disciples to obey everything that He had commanded them” (Matthew 28:20). And because part of their mission was “teaching them to obey everything He had commanded them”, it was therefore essential for them to pass down the Great Commission to each new generation of Christians.
Additionally, the spread of the gospel is the continuation of God’s work since the beginning of the world. And this means that God is the great benefactor who pours out blessings on all people.
Therefore, we too must do the same. Because all Christians have to consider themselves sent to witness what we have seen and heard about Jesus Christ.
Called to witness
Consequently, we must understand that we are called to witness the Gospel in our immediate surroundings. This calls for you and me to look for effective ways to participate in the mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.
Moreover, you can support missionaries, become missionaries, and help plant churches far and wide. And while at it, rely on Jesus’ promise to “build his church” (Matthew 16:18).
Prayer/Blessing
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gift of the Holy Spirit who lives in me. I pray that You enable me to be a good and faithful witness in the place where You have planted me.
What a reassurance to know that I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me and empowers me with His own resurrected life. To Him be all praise and glory, Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Acts 23-25 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
