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Acts 2:1-4
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place…

Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Acts 8:19
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

power, etc.

Luke 1:35
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Luke 24:29
But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

Romans 15:19
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

and ye.

Acts 1:22
Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Acts 2:32
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Acts 3:15
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

in Samaria.

Acts 8:5-25
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them…

unto.

Psalm 22:27
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

Psalm 98:3
He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 42:10
Sing unto the LORD a new song,and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

when the Holy Spirit comes upon you
The coming of the Holy Spirit marks a pivotal moment in the New Testament narrative, initiating the era of the Church. This event is fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2), where the apostles are filled with the Holy Spirit, enabling them to speak in various tongues and perform miracles. The Holy Spirit's arrival signifies God's presence and guidance, echoing the Spirit's role in the Old Testament, such as in the anointing of kings and prophets. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a distinctive feature of the New Covenant, as prophesied inEzekiel 36:26-27.

and you will be My witnesses
The term "witnesses" implies both a legal and a testimonial role, where the apostles are called to testify to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This witnessing is not merely verbal but involves living out the teachings of Jesus, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel. The apostles' role as witnesses fulfills Jesus' command in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and aligns with the prophetic tradition of bearing witness to God's truth.

in Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the starting point for the apostles' mission, significant as the city where Jesus was crucified and resurrected. It is also the center of Jewish religious life, housing the Temple. The choice of Jerusalem underscores the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and the continuity of His redemptive plan. The early chapters of Acts detail the apostles' ministry in Jerusalem, highlighting the initial growth of the Church among the Jewish people.

and in all Judea and Samaria
Judea represents the broader region surrounding Jerusalem, while Samaria signifies a culturally and religiously distinct area. The inclusion of Samaria is significant, as it reflects the breaking down of historical enmities between Jews and Samaritans, as seen in Jesus' ministry (John 4:4-42). This expansion of the mission field illustrates the inclusive nature of the Gospel, reaching beyond traditional boundaries and fulfilling the promise of salvation to all people.

and to the ends of the earth.
This phrase indicates the universal scope of the Gospel mission, extending beyond the confines of Israel to all nations. It reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his descendants (Genesis 12:3). The Book of Acts chronicles the apostles' missionary journeys, culminating in Paul's ministry in Rome, symbolizing the Gospel's reach to the heart of the known world. This global mission continues to be a central tenet of Christian faith, emphasizing the call to evangelize and disciple all nations.

Jesus promises real, tangible power, not mere inspiration.Luke 24:49 echoes this: “stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” That power:

• equips believers to speak boldly (Acts 4:31)

• fuels holy living (Galatians 5:16)

• overcomes demonic opposition (Ephesians 6:10-11)

God never intends His people to serve in their own strength; He supplies all that is needed (2 Timothy 1:7;Ephesians 3:16).

The source of that power is the Spirit Himself. At Pentecost “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4). Jesus had prepared them: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever” (John 14:16-17). Key truths:

• The Spirit is a divine Person, not an impersonal force (Acts 5:3-4).

• He indwells every believer (Romans 8:11).

• His coming marks the beginning of the church age (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Empowerment has a purpose: testimony about Christ’s death and resurrection.Isaiah 43:10 first set this pattern;Luke 24:48 reaffirms it. As witnesses we:

• Share the gospel in words (Acts 2:22-36).

• Display the gospel through compassionate deeds (Acts 3:6-10).

• Embody the gospel by Spirit-formed character (Galatians 5:22-23).

This calling is not optional; it flows naturally from Spirit-filled life (2 Corinthians 5:20).

The mission begins right where the disciples are. Jerusalem, the place of the cross, becomes ground zero for grace (Acts 2:14-41).Luke 24:47 shows Jesus intended the message to start “beginning in Jerusalem.” Practical takeaways:

• Start with family, friends, neighbors.

• Let those who know your past see Christ’s transforming power.

• Trust God to redeem even hostile settings (Acts 4:1-4).

The circle widens beyond the city to the surrounding region (Judea) and to culturally mixed Samaria. Persecution inActs 8:1 pushes believers outward; Philip’s ministry inActs 8:4-8 proves the gospel bridges deep divides (John 4:9). Lessons:

• God uses both intentional plans and unexpected circumstances to move His people.

• Prejudice must yield to gospel compassion (Acts 10:34-35).

• Regional outreach often prepares the church for global work (Acts 9:31).

The scope is universal.Matthew 28:19-20 commands disciple-making “to the very end of the age,” whileRomans 10:18 notes the message going “to the ends of the world.”Revelation 7:9 envisions the result: every nation, tribe, people, and tongue worshiping the Lamb. Implications:

• No language, culture, or political barrier exempts anyone from hearing.

• Each generation of believers inherits this commission until Jesus returns (Matthew 24:14).

• Supporting and sending missionaries, translating Scripture, and personal evangelism all serve the same mandate (Colossians 1:23).

Acts 1:8 is Jesus’ blueprint for Spirit-empowered witness. He supplies the power through the Holy Spirit, assigns the task of bearing witness to Himself, and maps out ever-expanding circles of influence—from our immediate context to the farthest corners of the globe. The verse calls every believer to rely on the Spirit, speak of Christ, and join God’s unstoppable mission until all nations rejoice in the Savior.

Ye shall be witnesses unto me.--The words, which are apparently identical with those ofLuke 24:48, strike the key-note of the whole book. Those which follow correspond to the great divisions of the Acts--Jerusalem, Acts 1, 7; Judaea, 9:32, 12:19; Samaria, 8; and the rest of the book as opening the wider record of the witness borne "to the uttermost parts of the earth." And this witness was two-fold: (1) of the works, the teachings, and, above all, of the Resurrection of Jesus; (2) of the purpose of the Father as revealed in the Son. The witness was to be, in language which, though technical, is yet the truest expression of the fact, at once historical and dogmatic.