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 1:8
This verse is a synopsis of what will follow throughout the rest of the book of Acts. It shows the power available to Christians and challenges us to live within the mission God has given us. The meaning of Acts 1:8 contains a powerful message we need today.
I believe this verse will challenge you and inspire you. Let’s take a closer look at what it says.
The Context Of Acts 1:8
The book of Acts follows the church through its first years and records the spread of the gospel. This is an incredible account of what the early Christians did through the power of the Holy Spirit. You could call this book “Acts Of The Early Church” or even better “Acts Of The Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1 sets the stage for what will happen in the following chapters. Jesus has risen, ascended into heaven, and the church’s early leaders are established. The Holy Spirit has not yet come (Acts 2) and the disciples are waiting in Jerusalem.
In the very beginning of this chapter, we see Jesus instructing the disciples to remain and wait for the Holy Spirit after he ascends into heaven. After Jesus’ resurrection, he spent forty days with his followers proving he was alive and giving instructions. Now it’s time for his earthly ministry to end and the Holy Spirit to come. The disciples are to pick up where Jesus left off.
Acts 1:8 foreshadows what is about to happen. Let’s take a closer look at what it means.
The Meaning Of Acts 1:8
This verse is a summary of the entire book of Acts. Followers of Jesus receive the Holy Spirit and are empowered to do incredible miracles. They will bear witness to Jesus everywhere they go. The meaning of Acts 1:8 is a powerful verse that we see played out all over the book.
But You Will Receive Power When The Holy Spirit Comes On You
Jesus promises that after his departure there will be a gift that will be given to them, the Holy Spirit. But this isn’t any ordinary gift; this is God dwelling in them. They will have power and be effective witnesses for Christ. This is available to all believers and allows us to fully step into the life that God has for us.
Today we tend to take this as commonplace. But this is an incredible moment that changed everything. Prior to the Holy Spirit’s coming, man and God were separated by sin. But now, because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we can live in an intimate relationship with him. This changes everything.
You Will Be My Witnesses In Jerusalem, And In All Judea And Samaria, And To The Ends Of The Earth
Because of the coming of the Holy Spirit, not only do we have God living in us, we have work to do. We are his witnesses to the ends of the earth.
The word witness comes from the Greek word martys which means to be a legal witness or historical spectator. A witness boldly affirms the truth of the gospel; they are witness to the power of Jesus. Martys is also where we get our English word martyr. This paints a picture of someone who is willing to witness no matter the cost.
The disciples likely failed to grasp the scope of this mission. They thought the Messiah would come to restore Israel, but Jesus is showing them that he came to restore the entire world. They are to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.
To the disciples, this would have meant that they would go to the farthest reaches of the Roman Empire. Paul hoped to do this by going to Spain, although we don’t know if he ever accomplished that goal. Regardless, today we know the gospel has reached the ends of the earth. Through the centuries Christians have boldly taken the gospel with them everywhere they went.
But the job is not done; Acts 1:8 is still our marching order today. We are to bear witness to the gospel to those we interact with.
How Acts 1:8 Applies To Our Life Today
Acts 1:8 isn’t just a command for the disciples 2,000 years ago; this passage is for us today. We are called to be witnesses to the gospel everywhere we go. Let’s take a look at how we can apply this verse to our lives today.
1. Be A Bold Witness
Here’s the reality, you have people around you who desperately need the hope, love, truth, and grace that Jesus has. And if you are a Christian, it’s your job to be that witness. It’s your job to be bold and tell them about what God has done for you.
But, you don’t go alone. Just as the early disciples had the Holy Spirit, we do too. God is living in us and giving us what we need to do for what he has called us to do. Therefore, we can be bold, and we can bear witness to those around us.
2. You Don’t Have To Cross The Globe, Start With Crossing The Street
Often when we read passages like this we think we have to go across the world to make an impact. And maybe God is calling you to do that, but often living out a command like this means that we simply go across the street.
You don’t have to go far to find someone in need of the gospel. Go to them. Be bold. Tell them about what God has done for you. And invite them to follow him as well.
You don’t have to go across the world; start by going across the street.
God wants to use you in incredible ways to make meaningful impacts on people’s lives. So go boldly and bear witness to the gospel.
Now check out: What Following Jesus REALLY Means (and 3 practical tips)
BA in Biblical Studies - Ozark Christian College (2012)
MA in Theology - Regent University (2019)
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