For example, in Ezekiel 39 Godsays, \"I will restore the fortunes of Jacob, and have mercy on thewhole house of Israel . The Witness of Faith.—We think of those who have gone before us in the way; what was the secret of it all, of that patience, that high courage, that steadfast endurance? Sometimes when the light of faith grew dim they yet had been able to see beyond the dark clouds the face of God. Witnessing was a command, not a choice. He will take Jesus’ place and be just like him (ἄλλος in John 14:16). Acts 1:8 A witness is someone who experiences something and then tells about it. Sanctification: often results in the Holy Spirit UPON you. 2 years ago . The basic meaning of witness is to see something and talk about it. The apostles’ mission of spreading the gospel was the major reason the Holy Spirit empowered them. K…, Obeying God and Obeying God's Servants: Five Truths from 1 Peter 2:13–17 (pt. He means it literally. 1:8 But ye shall receive power - and shall be witnesses to me - That is, ye shall be empowered to witness my Gospel, both by your preaching and suffering. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Read full chapter Cross references In Acts 1:1 Luke references his “former book” and picks up where he left off. It begins with a brief summary of the Forty Days, adding a fuller account of the Ascension. 5. witnesses & martyrs 12-12-2013 - Posted by Andre Piet . Jesus is not a Forgiver who happens to be Lord; he is the Lord who died to secure forgiveness through his death and resurrection. What does Acts 1:22 mean? In Bill Bright’s book, he defined evangelism as sharing the good news “and leaving the results up to God.” To be sure, this is a liberating principle: God grants salvation, not us. Acts 1:8 (NASB) They decided to thumb a ride instead of risking a downhill run on a mountain road in the cold rain. (a) Who is the most outstanding witness of Jehovah? Before you fill a cup you clean it, otherwise, it is not suitable for use. The witness was to be both in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea ( Acts 1:8), The witness began right at home. Witnesses bear testimony about what they know, and in this case it is Who they know. Read the Scripture: Acts 6:1-8 The parable of the wheat and the weeds (the wheat and tares in the King James Version) is the Lord Jesus' own prediction of conditions in the church during the age between his first coming and his second -- this present age in which we live. and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” As Jesus promised in Acts 1:8, the Spirit would empower his disciples to bear witness. “FOR this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.” (Read John 18:33-37.) You must first be cleansed by Jesus before you can be indwelt by the Spirit. In fact, it is impossible to proclaim Christ without the Spirit. In this context, it is the power of God for the disciples to be able to preach the word and perform signs and miracles as a testimony to the power and authority of God’s saving gospel. If witnessing focuses on Christ’s resurrection, it also includes all that he said and did. 4 Luke begins his account by addressing Theophilus, the same man to whom he earlier wrote his Gospel. (b) What does the name Jesus mean, and how did God’s Son live up to his name? But here’s what’s really fascinating. JESUS SAID: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. The Meaning of the Phrase ‘And the Witnesses Laid Down Their Cloaks’ in Acts 7:58 Brice C. Jones McGill University, Montréal Abstract The present article seeks to understand the statement ‘and the witnesses laid down their cloaks’ in Acts 7:58. One of those promises is that when the elect of God hear the good news of Christ’s resurrection they will repent and believe. Acts 1:8 (WYC) but ye shall take the virtue of the Holy Ghost coming from above into you, and ye shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and Samaria, and to the utmost of the earth [and ye shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost of the earth]. Acts 1:8. , You will be My Witnesses. Acts 13:32–33 says, “we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus.” The “we” and “us” in these verses are defined as “witnesses” in verse 31. The comfort of the power of the Holy Spirit is that it begins, not with our natural abilities, but with looking outside of ourselves. Acts 1:8 is a synopsis of the entire book of Acts; after the Holy Spirit comes, Jesus-followers will spread His message of salvation to "Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Just beginning to understand what it meant to follow Christ and make disciples, this book helped immensely to be a ‘witness’ for Christ. They told him of their situation and he said he would like to help them but he was going to church and didn’t have the time…….. Later, a beat-up old station wagon with a Mexican family in it stopped and picked them up. May this short study help us understand that role, and may the witness of the Holy Spirit impassion us to grow as witnesses. It gets difficult when we have to stand for Jesus when things can be inconvenient. Death, resurrection, and exaltation to the right hand of God were assigned to Christ, so that he might send his Spirit to grant repentnace which provides salvation; these are the primary facets of the gospel. The name "Theophilus" means God-friend. Explain that even though Acts 1:8 refers specifically to the Apostles’ role as special witnesses of the Savior, it also teaches us about what can help us be witnesses of Jesus Christ throughout the world. First— I. However, I wonder if it may lead to a kind of evangelistic indifference. 1): Men Who Pray, Women Who Work, and The God Who Saves (1 Timothy 2:8–10), Feeding on the Lord: So Much More Than a Metaphor, Good and Evil: A Live Look at Love, the Law, and Liberty of Conscience: Three Sermons from Romans 12–14, Writing Better, Writing More: Three Helpful Voices, Five Truths from 1 Peter 2 on Obeying God and Government But, in the heart of someone who is doubting, nothing done by a Christian is small and timing can be everything. The manifestation of spiritual gifts as is evidenced in Acts. 1 The command of Jesus impelled His followers to an astonishing journey of action; indeed a series of actions, one after another, involving the disciples and the early believers who, under the influence and power of the Holy Spirit, took the message of the risen Savior to the “ends of the earth.” Acts The Promise of the Holy Spirit 1 In the first book , O a Theophilus , I have dealt with all that Jesus began b to do and teach , 2 until the day when c he was taken up , after he d had given commands e through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen . From observing how this word is used we can begin to sketch what a faithful witness might look like. The secret of it all was the vision of God; they saw Jesus. What does it mean to witness? The Meaning of the Phrase ‘And the Witnesses Laid Down Their Cloaks’ in Acts 7:58 Brice C. Jones McGill University, Montréal Abstract The present article seeks to understand the statement ‘and the witnesses laid down their cloaks’ in Acts 7:58. But what does that mean? It means that you, the believer are to be a witness for Jesus where you are. How does the witness of modern-day Apostles influence your personal witness or testimony of Jesus Christ? (He also uses the verb μαρτύρομαι twice, 20:26; 26:22). Oddly enough, however, the concept in many Western languages, has the meaning of a person who is put to death for his conviction. 0 0. Acts 1:8 “But 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.” Explanation and Commentary on Acts 1:8. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Acts 1:8, NASB: "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 as far as the remotest part of the earth.'" People's Bible Notes for Acts 1:8. The goal of witnessing is the salvation of others, not just the dissemination of (gospel) information. A huge motor home pulled up and the driver asked them what the problem was. The power and boldness to witness is given as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:17-20; Acts 1:8). 1, 2. (b) What does the name Jesus mean, and how did God’s Son live up to his name? Notice that in Acts 1:8 receiving power is what precedes and leads to being witnesses for Christ. Luke 24:48-49 says that they shall be witnesses and must wait for to be clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:48-49 says that they shall be witnesses and must wait for to be clothed with power from on high. Power for Witness Ye shall receive power, when the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses.—Acts 1:8. “And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness,” (Acts 4:31). And part of this power meant being equipped to be witnesses ( Acts 1:8 ). 1. Acts 1:22, CSB: "beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us--from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of his resurrection."" But 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.” ... Acts 1:8. The promise of this extraordinary power—this extraordinary experience of the fullness of God—is given, Jesus says, to enable his witnesses to take the gospel to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8), or, as Luke 24:47 says, to all the nations. A missionary comes to your church to speak, and you absentmindedly turn to Matt 28:18 or Acts 1:8. And then it was to spread up into Samaria. * Making it clear that this record is a continuation of the first, Luke begins by summarizing the events recorded at the end of his Gospel, using different wording and providing some fresh detail. 2 years ago. First— I. Acts 1:8: "you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, " Acts 1:22: "must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection." Acts 8:3 "As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed [them] to prison." Acts puts emphasis on his resurrection and we should too. The "first account"is the gospel of Luke. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks… and when the Holy Spirit is in and upon you, you shall speak of Jesus. Your Home. …the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in you and can abide upon you. This incident does not immediately stand out to the reader as being significant in the How has he prepared us? In other words, the gift of the Spirit is the gift of Jesus’ very presence mediated by the Spirit. the end of the earth (cf. For that reason, we need to steel our hearts with promises of the gospel’s success and our responsibility to stand up as witnesses to proclaim the gospel with power. 1), Getting Redemption Right and Understanding the Logic of Christ's Cross, Live Not By Feelings: Three Ways to Love and Live the Moral Life (1 Peter 1:13–19). Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." What does ‘witness’ mean (cf. Only by God’s gracious election in Christ will we be, can we be, witnesses to Christ. When on trial for his life, Jesus Christ said those words to the Roman governor of Judea. Therefore, you need the power of God to carry out His will, not your own. What prevents us from being effective witnesses? This is the power that is promised to those who wait on God and to follow Him because it is of God, from God, for the redeemed…. John 10:16, 26). What are some of the signs of the Holy Spirit UPON you? The message to share is the simple truth that "God loves you. While a whole theology of witnessing could be written from Acts and the rest of the New Testament (e.g., see Allison Trites, The New Testament Concept of Witness), let me suggest five truths about witnessing from the book of Acts. In Acts 1:8, Luke was recording the promise of the gift of the HS by Christ to the disciples and to all believers in Christ that would take place after His ascension. Be with them and transforming them all they do they do shouldn ’ t already. It all was the power and presence of the Spirit, too ( )! Two books written by Luke to Theophilus and spread the gospel of.. 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