Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
At Pentecost the Jewish believers in Christ were empowered by Holy Spirit. Supernaturally the gift of tongues was given that all who heard them speak could understand it in their native language. Holy Spirit would guide them into the commission to which they were given. To them the promises of their forefathers were fulfilled. The King of the Jews had visited His covenant people. They were to spread the Good News of salvation. To the Jew first and then in the grace of God to all who would by faith accept Jesus. Ultimately through them the promises of John 3:16 would come that in Jesus Christ the world could be saved. All praise and glory to our risen Savior who overcame the sins of the world. Carla
Acts 1:8 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.”
The locations mentioned in this verse represent a geographical broadening in scope of the apostles’ mission, from Israel’s capital, to the land of Israel, and to the entire world. This also reflects the structure of the book of Acts: The Church spreads in Jerusalem (chapters 1–7), in Judaea and Samaria (chapters 8), and to the surrounding nations (chs. 9–28).
The Greek word used here, dynamis, can refer to power displayed in miracles (Acts 2:22; 4:7; 19:11), or (more generally) the ability of God or people to carry out their purposes (3:12; 4:33). God will enable the apostles to accomplish His work, wherever and whatever it is. The apostles are called to testify about Christ—to proclaim the reality of His death and resurrection as well as His kingdom and lordship. Faithlife Study Bible
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 does not refer to personal power for godly living, as demonstrated in the lives of Old Testament saints (Abraham in Genesis 22; Joseph in Genesis 39; Moses in Exodus 14; Daniel in Daniel 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 11 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. The NKJV Study Bible
Luke 24:47–49 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things…
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Acts 8:1–25 Now Saul was consenting to his death.At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him…
Acts 2:1–4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting
…our job title, which is Tikkun olam. Literally, repair of the world. Tikkun—to repair the soil of the world with nutrients: kindness, a balm of generosity, a capacity to accommodate fragility, and a softness of spirit.
And I would add: this graciousness is alive and well when we “become like a child.” The invitation to remember and to reclaim the profound sense of joy, innocence and trust. This invitation allows us the gift of letting go of scorecards, and savoring the permission to be here. Now.
Gratefully and gladly, the full force of life and the gift of enough—the graciousness at the heart of creation—usually envelops me when I’m looking the other way, say for answers or magic or resolve (maybe a reprieve from moments of disquiet). It is a lot like grace in that way. It enters in, slows the heartbeat, and before you know it, you’re sitting still. Relishing, contemplating, savoring and just being, if only for a moment. And the magic or answers don’t matter anymore. These moments, when I become like a child, re-introduce me to a world that is antithetical to the world that tells me the five things I must do to get past, or get over, or stay on top.
And this from Anna Quindlen. “So here is what I wanted to tell you today:
Get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger paycheck, the larger house. Do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you blew an aneurysm one afternoon, or found a lump in your breast? Get a life in which you notice the smell of saltwater pushing itself on a breeze over Seaside Heights, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over the water gap or the way a baby scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a cheerio with her thumb and first finger. Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work... Get a life in which you are generous.” Excerpt from “Sabbath Moments”
While we may not immediately and fully grasp every Bible verse we read, we will always hear God's voice in Scripture. And it's not the voice of an inaccessible intellectual or an echo from a bygone era; it's the voice of a Father who loves speaking to His children.
After all, God's Word isn't just personal ... God's Word is a person! Jesus is "the Word [who] became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). When we read the Bible as though every holy word points to Jesus, we don't just learn past information about God but engage in present relationship with Him.
As Jesus prayed for His disciples just before His crucifixion, He said, "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word" (John 17:20). Scripture is "their word," inspired and preserved for us by God Himself! You and I are "those who will believe"!
The Bible is for us. May this be a truth we never forget. First5
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