Acts 1:8 - Witnessing In The Spirit.
Acts 1:8 - Witnessing In The Spirit.
Acts 1:8 (NIV) 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."
OVERVIEW
One hundred and twenty ordinary people hardly constitute an
imposing army; but in a few days, they would make an impact that is being
felt even today. The same resources God gave them are still available
to us.
A living Lord (1-3).
The power of the Spirit (4-8).
The promise of His return (9-11).
The power of prayer (12-14, 24-26). [Chapter by Chapter Bible
Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re Acts 1]
INTRODUCTION
Here the mandate to witness that stands as the theme for the
whole of Acts is explicitly set out. It comes as a direct commission
from Jesus himself--in fact, as Jesus' last word before his ascension
and, therefore, as one that is final and conclusive.... This commission
lays an obligation on all Christians and comes to us as a gift with a
promise. It concerns a person, a power, and a program--the person of
Jesus, on whose authority the church acts and who is the object of its
witness; the power of the Holy Spirit, which is the sine qua non for the
mission; and a program that begins at Jerusalem, moves out to "all Judea
and Samaria," and extends "to the ends of the earth." [Expositors
Bible Commentary]
COMMENTARY
The risen Christ told his disciples that they would be his
witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and, ultimately, the remotest parts
of the earth. As generation after generation becomes involved in
carrying out the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:16-20), each Christian
starts in their own "Jerusalem" - at home. We are to be living
demonstrations of God's mercy and message, showing his goodness to those around
us. And we reach beyond home by praying for the nations of the
world, supporting those who minister to them and going to them
short-term or longer. It's a comprehensive all-hands-on-deck mission, and
God is fully behind it. When we invest in showing his nature to the
world, we are aligned with his heart's desire. [NIV Once A Day Bible]
Our very way of life depends on electricity. If you don't
think so, see what happens when you turn off the power in your home.
You can't use your lights when it gets dark, or your TV, stereo, or
computer. If you have an electric oven or if your house has electric heat,
forget about cooking or staying warm. You may also want to go out and
buy some ice to keep your food cold.
The church without the Holy Spirit is like a house without
electrical power. That is why Jesus sends his power source - the Holy
Spirit - to the church soon after his ascension. When the Spirit comes,
the church is radically transformed - Peter preaches his first
sermon, converting thousands; a lame beggar is healed; and Peter and
John boldly face Jesus' killers. The promise Jesus gave his disciples
is coming true - they have received real power.
Jesus said that shortly after he ascended to heaven, the Holy
Spirit would come and give his disciples power to take his message to
the whole world (Acts 1 :8). That's exactly what happened. First the
disciples received the Holy Spirit (2:3-4).Then the Spirit gave them power
that enabled them to speak in other languages and to perform miracles
(2:4-12,43; 3:6-8; 4:13).As a result, they took the message of Christ to the
rest of the world (8:4).
Often, Christians try to use their own power and authority to
persuade others to follow Christ. But sharing God's message should not
involve slick debate or manipulation. Instead, we should share what God
has done for us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Then we should
depend on the Spirit for the results. The Holy Spirit works in people,
helping them see that the incredible Jesus really did come to die for
them, paying the penalty for their sins. [The One Year Through the
Bible Devotional by Dave Veerman]
During the years of Jesus' ministry on earth, the disciples
continually wondered about the restoration of the kingdom. When would it
come? What would be their role?
In the traditional view, the Messiah would be an earthly
conqueror who would free Israel from Rome. Like other Jews, the disciples
chafed under their Roman rulers. They wanted Jesus to free Israel from
Roman power and then become their king.
But the Kingdom Jesus spoke about is a spiritual Kingdom
first of all, established in the hearts and lives of believers (Luke
17:21). Jesus' followers are called to testify to people of all nations
about the living, victorious King, and they need the power of the Holy
Spirit to fulfill God's mission.
God has important work for you to do, but you must do it by
his Spirit's power. Are you waiting and listening for God's complete
instructions? God's timing and power is essential for you to be truly
effective. When you face a difficult task, an important decision, or a
baffling dilemma, make your first step prayer for the Holy Spirit's power
and guidance. In this way, God's Kingdom will come in you so that
you can be part of his Kingdom in the world. [One Year NLT SB]
Fred Smith often spoke of our being the pipe for God's power
to flow through and not the source of the power itself "When I get
out of the way and let God work through me," he says, "I am the pipe
.... The pipe never gets tired. When I try to be the pump as well as
the pipe, it takes way more than I have."
With his pipe and pump illustration, Smith gives us a word
picture of the apostle Paul's declarations about our weaknesses and
God's strength. We read in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "I am glad to boast
about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults,
hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I
am weak, then I am strong" (NLT).
Paul's strength was extraordinary. In fact, his endurance of
shipwreck, beatings, and stoning's seems superhuman. In many ways it was,
for his strength came from above.
"When I try to substitute my power for God's," Fred says, "I
become powerless, dissatisfied, even frantic and defeated."
In contrast, Paul said he could do all things through Christ
who strengthened him. Sometimes it may seem we can't do even one
thing well, let alone all things. Yet whatever our variety of
experiences and challenges as we go through our seasons of life, God is
faithful. He is the one who pumps out the power when we come to him and
seek his will.
Properly aligned with God's will, we can become the pipe-the
delivery system for his grace, love, and blessings.
Father above, sometimes I feel overwhelmed. I have plenty of
weaknesses for you to transform into strengths. Please guide and strengthen
me as I open myself to be a conduit for your grace.
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
Acts 1: 8, NLT [The One Year Book of Encouragement by Harold Myra]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20060724-0758.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100603-2258.html
GREAT VIDEO CLIP - ONE OF THE BEST
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
SPECIAL VIDEO CLIP ON SEEKING GOD FIRST
http://vimeo.com/31489782
EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON EXPERIENCING GOD:
http://sda.biggytv.com/watch/Revive!_-_Dwight_Nelson:_Experiencing_Gods_Grace/revive/
EXCELLENT BIBLE PROPHECY SERIES - Prophecies Decoded By Dr. Ron
Clouzet:
1. Coming Soon: A New Superpower -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTcZ-oQGWUw
2. 2012 and Signs of the End of the World -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVgTGGGO33c
3. Armageddon and the Seven Last Plagues -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcFPUq2JAiU
4. War in Heaven Between Michael and the Dragon -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGnb54Qo_Lg
5. Revelation's Three Angels' Messages -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msy6mZLQ7EA
6. The Lamb Slain and the Seven Seals -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xdpQdli9J0
7. A New Revelation of Jesus Christ -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b2IwriWwY0
8. The Anti-Christ and the Cults that Follow Him -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDKzf5Z6VPQ
9. In Search of the Ark of the Covenant -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc6IM9cm2SU
10. The Greatest Issue in the Book of Revelation, Part 1 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLQbWSpTUXs
11. The Greatest Issue in the Book of Revelation, Part II -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQr_DHJYMc
12. How to Keep God's Holy Day, Part 1 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX5HtCx90oY
13. How to Keep God's Holy Day, Part 2 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPR5Pu8_1rM
14. Taking a Stand at the Time of the End -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7caCWSrpGU4
15. The Longest Time Prophecy in the Bible -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvAsJGlmrmE
16. Doctrines of Demons and the Mystery of Death -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJHE1cyLlcY
17. The Fall of Babylon the Great -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O70xfBDKxVQ
18. The Mark of the Beast and the Seal of God -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqm1xgG9NuM
19. Israel and the Rapture of the Church -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMZhsKEzPPA
20. The United States in Bible Prophecy -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6-umijrrKI
21. The Beauty and the Beast of Revelation -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2cLfTDQyQg
22. The Remnant's Use of Time, Treasure, and Talent -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CMdmIIHCUY
23. The One Thousand Year Millennium -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFbu9WsSK0Y
24. Revelation's Lake of Fire -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DccBQcLZGso
25. Heaven and the Apocalypse -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiXDN9_d0Mw
26. A Messenger for the Last Days -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSAgxCcNSqM
27. Christian Standards for Today -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFHCFFoRw98
28. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Your Life -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiwYeGKQg58
