Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
click here for today’s passage
Receive Power
The book of Acts starts with a brief recap of Jesus’s post-resurrection activities, including His teachings about the kingdom of God over 40 days.
Ascension of Jesus: Jesus gives His final instructions to the apostles, promising the Holy Spirit. He is then taken up into heaven as they watch.
Return to Jerusalem: The disciples return to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives and spend time in prayer with other believers, including Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Choosing a Replacement for Judas: The apostles, now numbering eleven, decide to choose a replacement for Judas Iscariot. They select Matthias by casting lots after prayer.
The Transition of Authority and Mission: Acts 1 primarily deals with the transition from Jesus’s earthly ministry to the beginning of the church’s mission through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It sets the stage for the spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish community to the whole world, emphasizing the mission to be witnesses for Christ. The chapter highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers for this task, and it establishes the continuity and expansion of Christ’s work through His followers.
