May 5
Bible Reading: Acts 1
Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Today we embark on a fascinating journey, in reading through the book of Acts, of the remarkable account of the birth and expansion of the church. Acts 1:8 is a key verse in the book. Jesus’ parting words to His disciples serve both as an overview and an outline of that which takes place. In a real sense, the book of Acts continues to this day. The mandate given by the Lord Jesus to His disciples still stands. Christ’s witnesses still proclaim the same message. They do so by the all-sufficient means He has provided through the leading and empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit.
What is the mandate? “Be My witnesses.” The noun form of Greek term translated “witnesses” is “martur”, from which we get the English martyr. It means “one who can or does aver what he has seen or heard or knows.” The verb means simply “to bear witness to.” The disciples were eyewitnesses to Christ’s resurrection (Acts 1:21-22). Though we have not seen Him, we are nonetheless witnesses, as believers, to His saving power and indwelling presence. The mandate given to the disciples applies to all of us. We are witnesses to a glorious Lord and Savior!
The Apostles proclaimed many truths, but preeminent amongst them all was the message regarding Christ’s death and resurrection (Acts 2:23-24; 3:15; 4:10; 4:10; 4:33; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30, etc.). This message, the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), is the “glorious good news” (1 Timothy 1:11) of God’s power to save (Romans 1:16). Though some deem it foolish, it represents to us “the power of God and wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24). Though others work to distort it (Galatians 1:7-8; 2 Corinthians 11:4), we labor to preserve, protect, and proclaim it (Jude 3). The message of salvation by grace through faith in Christ is the glorious truth we are to proclaim (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 2:2). We are witnesses of a glorious and powerful gospel!
He has not left us without the means necessary to succeed in the task. He spoke to His disciples of the Spirit’s coming. He told them to “stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). They were not to proceed with their own wisdom and strength. To do so would be a foolhardy endeavor. The promised Spirit came and by His presence, the weak were made strong. Consider how the Spirit worked to embolden Peter. Before Jesus’ sufferings and death, Peter, in self-confidence, had boldly declared his unwavering commitment to stand by Jesus. But then he denied Him and utterly failed as a witness—denying Jesus three times and even before a slave girl (Matthew 26:69-75). But a miraculous transformation took place once he was indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13). Peter had previously not understood regarding Jesus’ suffering and denied even knowing Jesus. But now Spirit-filled, Peter boldly proclaimed the truth regarding Christ before a crowd of thousands (Acts 2:14-41). Later, he would do the same before the hostile religious leaders (Acts 4:19-20). It was as the believers “were all filled with the Holy Spirit” that “they continued to speak with word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). By the Spirit’s power, ordinary, unlearned, and timid men were transformed into bold and effective witnesses for Christ (Acts 4:13). We are effective witnesses only to the extent that we are empowered by the indwelling Spirit!
Ordinary men and women were supernaturally empowered to bear witness to the extraordinary truths regarding Jesus and His resurrection.
“Within the space of thirty years after the death of Christ the gospel had been carried to all parts of the civilized and to no small portion of the uncivilized world… Within thirty years it had settled the point that it would overturn every bloody altar, close every pagan temple, bring under its influence everywhere men of office, rank, and power, and ‘the banners of faith would soon stream from the palaces of Caesars.’ All this would be accomplished by the instrumentality of Jews—of fishermen—of Nazarenes. They had neither wealth, armies, nor allies. With the exception of Paul, they were men without learning. They were taught only the Holy Ghost, armed only with the power of God, victorious only because Christ was their captain, and the world acknowledged the presence of the messengers of the Highest and the power of the Christian religion. Its success never has been, and never can be accounted for by any other supposition than that God attended it.”
Albert Barnes
As believers, we’ve been given a mandate, a message, and the means. The mandate still applies. The message is still powerful to save. The means, the indwelling Spirit, is still at work to empower Christ’s followers to boldly witness to the truth. People need the Lord! As a believer, you’ve been equipped and empowered to share the truth with others.
God has worked to call and empower ordinary people like you and me to share the extraordinary message of Christ’s death for sins and resurrection from the dead and a by grace through faith salvation availed to all through Him.
Lord, your church on earth is seeking
power and wisdom from above:
teach us all the art of speaking
with the accents of your love.
We will heed your great commission
sending us to every place-
‘Go, baptize, fulfill my mission;
serve with love and share my grace!’
LookingtoJesus 