ACTS - To The Ends Of The Earth- Day 1
By Nelia Brown
The Book of Acts is such an incredible bridge in the Bible. It wraps up the time when Jesus was physically here on earth and launches us into a new season—one where the Holy Spirit leads us, even to this day! Acts feels like the sequel to Luke’s Gospel and follows the Apostles as they wrestle with a brand-new identity now that their Lord and Savior has ascended into heaven, just as He promised.
The story begins in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish life, and ends in Rome, the heart of the Gentile world. Peter’s ministry to the Jews starts the journey, and it closes with Paul—once Saul of Tarsus—ministering to the Gentiles. The way Acts opens and closes is truly significant when you consider the religious and political climate of the Jews and Gentiles at that time.
Acts 1:8 sums up the whole purpose of this book: to expand the global reach of the Church. In short, Acts is an accurate and vibrant record of God’s work in the early Church through the Holy Spirit—and how the Apostles carried the Gospel to the world.
Acts 1—Three Major Themes
Acts Chapter 1 highlights three main themes:
The Promise of the Holy Spirit and Power
The Command to Stay in Jerusalem (and why)
The Power of Devoted Prayer
1. The Promise of the Holy Spirit
In Acts 1:4-5 and 1:8, we see two incredible promises from God to the Apostles:
“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now’” (Acts 1:4–5).
“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” (Acts 1:8).
The first promise is the baptism of the Holy Spirit; the second is the promise of power. So, who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead—the Spirit of God who moves on earth with power and might. The promise was clear: the Apostles would be baptized with the Holy Spirit, and then, empowered to be Christ’s witnesses everywhere. It really shows that without the Holy Spirit, we can’t fully step into the work God has for us.
2. The Command to Stay in Jerusalem
In Acts 1:4, Jesus instructed the Apostles to stay in Jerusalem. This happened right after He revealed Himself to them as the resurrected Lord. He spent forty days with them, teaching about the kingdom of God, and then told them not to leave Jerusalem until they received the Father’s promise. I often wonder if the Apostles understood what was coming. Did they expect another person? Was it something they could hold or see? Honestly, they probably didn’t know—but they trusted and obeyed.
Why stay in Jerusalem? Well, for one, it silenced any doubts or rumors about Jesus’ resurrection. Remember, Christ was arrested, tortured, and crucified in Jerusalem—an event witnessed by thousands. So both His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit had to happen there, turning the very place of His shame into a place of God’s glory.
Plus, until this point, the Apostles had no real power or authority on their own. Jesus had always been with them. Now they would need to be empowered for the work ahead. Think about it: after Jesus was arrested, Peter denied Him out of fear, Thomas doubted, and many hid in fear. But something new was about to happen—a moment that would launch them into their true calling.
3. Devotion to Prayer
Acts 1:14 tells us:
“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
The Apostles returned to Jerusalem from Mount Olivet and gathered in the upper room. While they waited—before the Pentecost, before the promise was fulfilled—they prayed together. It’s interesting that this promise required nothing from them; it wasn’t conditional. Yet, as they waited, their hearts were drawn to pray.
When someone makes a promise, it doesn’t depend on what the receiver does; it’s given out of the promiser’s generosity. Still, the Apostles came together with one heart, united in prayer as they waited on God.
Prayer
Dear Father,
Thank you for the promise of the Holy Spirit and the gift of Your power. Help me to stay devoted to prayer so I can be ready and equipped for the work you have for me.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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