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NASB | Acts 1:8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth." |
Bible Question: What was the power they received and it's purpose? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Weagie (in response to your 05/03/02 Question): "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8 [NKJV] Here is a bit of commentary on this verse... "1:8 The apostles' mission of spreading the gospel was the major reason the Holy Spirit empowered them. This event dramatically altered world history, and the gospel message eventually reached all parts of the earth (Matt. 28:19,20). receive power. The apostles had already experienced the Holy Spirit's saving, guiding, teaching, and miracle-working power. Soon they would receive His indwelling presence and a new dimension of power for witness. ... witnesses. People who tell the truth about Jesus Christ (cf. John 14:26; 1 Peter 3:15). The Greek word means "one who dies for his faith" because that was commonly the price of witnessing. ..." (1) "1:8 witnesses ... earth. This command, specifying the geographical areas to be evangelized, was carried out in exactly the order prescribed here. The work of evangelizing in Jerusalem began at 2:1; in Judea and Samaria, at 8:5; and throughout the remainder of the earth, at 8:26." (2) "1:8 Instead of being concerned about the date of Christ's return, the disciples' job was to carry His message throughout the world. you shall receive power: This does not refer to personal power for godly living, as demonstrated in the lives of Old Testament saints (see Abraham in Gen. 22; Joseph in Gen. 39; Moses in Ex. 14; Daniel in Dan. 6). This was power for a new task- namely, to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Be witnesses is Christ's command to His disciples to tell others about Him regardless of the consequences. Church tradition tells us that all but one of the eleven apostles who heard this promise became martyrs (John died in exile). God empowered His disciples to be faithful witnesses even when they faced the most vehement opposition. That same power for witnessing is available to us today. Our task is not to convince people, but to testify of the truth of the gospel." (3) "1:8 Instead of concerning themselves with the time of the coming kingdom, the disciples were instructed to witness to the remotest part of the earth, a reference to Rome, the center of civilization. Acts ends with the gospel reaching Rome (28:16)." (4) "1:8 A virtual outline of Acts: The apostles were to be witnesses in Jerusalem (chs. 1-7), Judea and Samaria (chs. 8-9) and the ends of the earth- including Caesarea, Antioch, Asia Minor, Greece and Rome (chs. 10-28). However, they were not to begin this staggering task until they had been equipped with the power of the Spirit (vv. 4-5). My witnesses. An important theme throughout Acts (2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 10:39; 13:31; 22:15). .." (5) "1:8 HOLY SPIRIT, Mission - Jesus set out a program of outward expansion for the Spirit-empowered church. Throughout the world, the church witnesses to the crucified and risen Lord and to the salvation God has provided through Him. The power of the Spirit can send an ordinary group of people on a world mission and enable them to succeed at it, even in centers of earthly powers." (6) Blessings to you, Makarios (1) The MacArthur Study Bible, 1997, Word Publishing, John MacArthur, pg. 1632 (2) The Scofield Study Bible, King James Version, 2003, Oxford University Press, Inc., C.I. Scofield, D.D. [1843-1921], Contributing Editor, 2003 Edition - Doris W. Rikkers, pg. 1427 (3) The Nelson Study Bible, New King James Version, 1997, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Earl D. Radmacher, pg. 1815 (4) Ryrie Study Bible, Expanded Edition, 1995, The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, Charles C. Ryrie, pg. 1727 (5) The Zondervan NASB Study Bible, 1999, the Zondervan Corporation, Kenneth Barker, pg. 1572 (6) Disciple's Study Bible, New International Version, 1988, Holman Bible Publishers, A Cornerstone Bible, pg. 1362 |