Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

'BUT'-'It was not important for them to know the time at which the kingdom would be established; but it was all-important that they should receive the power necessary to the part which they were to take in its inception and progress.' (McGarvey p. 6)

'POWER'-Hence the Kingdom of God would come when the Holy Spirit would come. Compare Mark 9:1 with Acts 1:8.

'MY WITNESSES'-Acts 2:32; Acts 3:15; Acts 5:32; Acts 10:39; Acts 13:31; Acts 22:15. This power not only enabled the apostles to speak by inspiration, but it also enabled them to work miracles, which demonstrated that their "witness" was truthful (Hebrews 2:3). Stott reminds us that the word "apostle" means 'an envoy, delegate or ambassador, sent out with. message and carrying the authority of the sender.' (p. 36)

Points to Note:

1. Notice that Jesus in answering their question says nothing about the Kingdom being postponed.

2. Jesus had taught by word and example that the Kingdom of God He was talking about, was. spiritual kingdom (John 3:5; John 18:36). In fact, He has personally rejected the offer to be king over. physical empire (John 6:15). Acts 1:8 once again reminds us of the spiritual nature of this kingdom. 'The kingdom of God..is spread by witnesses, not by soldiers, through. gospel..not. declaration of war..and not by force of arms, political intrigue or revolutionary violence.' (Stott p. 42)

3. Let us be impressed that the apostles were the "witnesses". They were uniquely and purposefully qualified to give not only eyewitness, but inspired testimony. We are not the "witnesses". Like all others, we simply have the choice to accept or reject their testimony.

'IN JERUSALEM'-Where the testimony must start- Isaiah 2:2. In addition, this would vindicate Jesus in the city in which He was so wrongly condemned. McGarvey notes, 'the most devout portion of the Jewish people, that portion which had been most favorably impressed by the preparatory preaching of John and Jesus, were always collected in Jerusalem at the great annual festivals, and hence. beginning could be made there with greater success than elsewhere.' (p. 7)

'ALL JUDEA'-The southern division of the land of Palestine.

'SAMARIA'-The region between Galilee and Judea, to the north of Jerusalem. The gospel will penetrate this region in Acts chapter 8.

'UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH'-i.e. to all the Gentile nations. The same concept as found in Mark 16:15.

Points to Note:

1. Many have pointed out that Acts 1:8 provides the reader with. kind of "Table of Contents" for the whole book. 'Chapter s 1-7 describe events in Jerusalem, chapter. mentions the scattering of the disciples "throughout Judea and Samaria" (Acts 8:1), and goes on to record the evangelization of. Samaritan city by Philip (Acts 8:5-24)..while the conversion of Saul in chapter. leads on in the rest of the book to his missionary expeditions, and finally to his journey to Rome.' (Stott p. 43)

2. This verse reminds us that everyone needs the gospel message, for all have sinned (Romans 3:23), and the only forgiveness available for sin is found in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).

THE ASCENSION OF JESUS: