CHAPTER 1
Obediently Waiting to Witness
Acts 1 starts with Jesus addressing the apostles after his 40-day post-resurrection tour. He tells them not to leave Jerusalem, to wait for the Holy Spirit to come as His father promised.
“For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” v.5
“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” v.8
Immediately after, Christ was taken up into the sky in a cloud of smoke. Two men appear and tell the disciples that He will return in the same way He went up.
The apostles and about 100 other followers of Jesus gather together in an upper room, fasting and praying in anticipation of the promise. During that time, they cast lots to replace the traitor Judas. His replacement’s name is Matthias. This is the last we hear about him.
Let’s Talk About It
OBEDIENCE
Wait! Christ issued one simple directive and told them very little detail about where that one step would take them. Thousands of years later, their saga continues! Talk about exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think!
WITNESS A MARTYR
The Greek word used for ‘witness’ in Acts 1:8 is ‘martys’. It’s the same word used for martyr. Most of the original apostles were in fact killed. As believers, we are called to die for Christ – to give up being known by the world, to know and be known by Him. Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17
Prayer Precedes Power
‘Nuff said.
