“Power From God”
Acts 1:8
Following the question from the Disciples about the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel, and Jesus told them that time was about the Father and they had nothing to do with it.
Now we come to verse 8 and Jesus is telling us all;
Vs. 8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
But - nevertheless, moreover
But ye shall receive power - This promise has been shown to the Disciples before.
Luke 24:49 “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
He appoints them their work, and with authority assures them of an ability to go on with it, and of success in it. “It is not for you to know the times and the seasons - this would do you no good; but know this (Acts 1:8) that you shall receive a spiritual power, by the descent of the Holy Ghost upon you, and shall not receive it in vain, for you shall be witnesses unto me and my glory; and your testimony shall not be in vain, for it shall be received here in Jerusalem, in the country about, and all the world over.”
Power - dunamis (doo’-nam-is) strength, ability, might
This power is not me but that which is given to me by God.
The ability to accomplish all that the Lord would have us to do.
“That their power for this work should be sufficient.
They had not strength of their own for it, nor wisdom nor courage enough; they were naturally of the weak and foolish things of the world;”
Holy Ghost - pneuma (pnyoo’-mah) Holy breath of God. The third person of God!
Upon - this means both on and in you.
Witnesses - a witness, in a legal sense; in a historical sense, one who is a spectator of anything,
That their work should be honorable and glorious: You shall be witnesses unto me.
That their influence should be great and very extensive: “You shall be witnesses for Christ, and shall carry his cause,”
both in Jerusalem, the "capital" of the nation, and there, in the first place, where such dwelt who had been concerned in the crucifixion of Christ, many of whom were to be called by grace, and converted through their ministry:
and in all Judea; that part of the land of Israel which was distinct from Samaria and Galilee, and from beyond Jordan; where churches were to be planted, as afterwards they were.
Acts 9:31 “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”
And in Samaria; where Christ had before forbid his disciples to go; but now their commission is enlarged, and they are sent there; and here Philip went upon the persecution raised against the church at Jerusalem, and preached Christ with great success, to the conversion of many; and hither Peter and John went to lay their hands on them, and confirm them;
Acts 8:5 “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
and unto the uttermost part of the earth; throughout the whole world, whither the sound of the apostles, and their words went,
Romans 10:18 “But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”
Conclusion:
As Luke is giving testimony to Theophilus He is showing him that God was not done with this world or His people.
He is not done with this land as well; if you have breath and are willing to be used of God, He will give to you the same power to accomplish His good pleasure of spreading the Great news of salvation to those who are lost.
Time to DO that which God has given us power to do.
Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
two men - two angels in the form of men
they appeared in white apparel, as the angel at the sepulchre in Matthew 28:2 which was a symbol both of their purity and holiness
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Why stand ye ... - There is doubtless a slight degree of censure implied in this, as well as a design to call their attention away from a vain attempt to see the departed Saviour.
The thought may have been:
(1) In the feeling of disappointment, as if he would not restore the kingdom to Israel.
(2) Possibly they were expecting that he would again soon appear, though he had often foretold them that he would ascend to heaven.
(3) We may see here also that it is our duty not to stand in idleness, and to gaze even toward heaven. We, as well as the apostles, have a great work to do, and we should actively engage in it without delay.
Shall so come - At the day of judgment. John 14:3, “if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again,”
Conclusion:
Since we have yet to see His return it seems that, like the Disciples, we need to be about the Fathers business.
