Acts 1:1-14

Introduction

Jesus has given us the power, purpose and plan to be His witnesses

“If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, much of what we’re doing in our churches would go right on and nobody would know the difference!...I do not believe in a repetition of Pentecost, but I do believe in a perpetuation of Pentecost—and there is a vast difference between the two. AW Tozer

I. The Power
v.5 – “…but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…”

Jesus gives them a promise and tells them that they will be baptized in the HS not many days from now.

“Before Christ sent the church into the world, he sent the Spirit into the church. The same order must be observed today.” John Stott

v.8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…”
This verse is the MAIN verse of ACTS. It is what the book is all about. God’s people being empowered by the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses to the world.

Power - dunamis - Dunamis is intrinsic power, the power to carry out some function, giving that person the supernatural power capable of accomplishing the task Jesus assigns.

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…” Ephesians 5:18

Filled – pleroo - means literally to be filled to the brim; keep on being filled

II. The Purpose
v.8b – “and you will be my witnesses…”

Jesus has given us our purpose. We are to be witnesses concerning him and influence our world through our words, attitudes and actions.

Witness – martus – martyrs - basically describes one who remembers something and testifies concerning what they remember.

“Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God.” William Carey
III. The Plan
v.8c – “…in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 is the table of contents for the book of Acts. Chapters 1-7 Jerusalem; Chapters 8-12 Judea and Samaria; Chapters 13-28 to the ends of the earth

IV. Conclusion

Jesus is the King of an unstoppable kin