How can we rely on the Holy Spirit to fulfill Acts 1:8's mission? Acts 1:8 — the promise and the plan “ ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ ” (Acts 1:8) • The promise: supernatural power (“dynamis”) supplied by the Spirit • The plan: a widening circle of witness—local, regional, cross-cultural, global The Holy Spirit — our source of power • Empowers bold speech (Acts 4:31) • Guides where to go and whom to reach (Acts 8:29; 13:2) • Confirms the message with conviction (1 Corinthians 2:4-5) • Creates spiritual fruit that authenticates the messenger (Galatians 5:22-23) Relying on the Spirit in daily life • Stay yielded: “Walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16) • Stay filled: “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) • Stay listening: “He will teach you all things” (John 14:26) • Stay praying: “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions” (Ephesians 6:18) Steps to engage the Spirit’s power 1. Confess and forsake known sin (1 John 1:9) 2. Ask specifically for the Spirit’s filling (Luke 11:13) 3. Immerse yourself in Scripture the Spirit inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 4. Obey promptings immediately—faith grows by practice (Acts 8:26-30) 5. Speak Christ-centered words; the Spirit exalts Jesus, not us (John 16:14) Encouragement from other Scriptures • “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6) • “The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace… by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13) • “You will receive power… to be My witnesses” parallels Matthew 28:19-20, showing the Spirit enables the Great Commission. Practical takeaways • Dependence replaces self-reliance; gift replaces grit. • Proclamation and lifestyle both flow from the Spirit’s enabling. • Every setting—home, workplace, neighborhood—can be a “Jerusalem.” • The same Spirit who empowered the first believers lives in us today; therefore the mission remains achievable and urgent. |
    |