Acts 1:8, commentary and pictures

Jesus in His risen body spoke these words just before His ascension as His last charge to the disciples who had been with Him from the beginning. He answered their question about restoring the kingdom by telling them it was not for them to know times or seasons, and they were not to weaken faith with speculation but to proclaim the gospel and walk by faith. They were to wait in Jerusalem until endued with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for without that new endowment of supernatural, all-conquering power they could not witness in their own strength. That power would make them witnesses in life and word to what they had seen and heard of His suffering, death, resurrection and ascension, offering pardon and salvation through Him, beginning at home and in Jerusalem and extending through Judea and Samaria to the uttermost part of the earth without distinction of nation or class. The call and promise belong as truly to believers today as to the first disciples, with an even more abundant latter rain for the last days to carry the final message of mercy to every creature urgently before Christ returns.

Setting and Wording

The words were spoken by Jesus in His risen, glorified body just before His ascension to heaven, as His last message and final charge and commission to the twelve who had been with Him from the beginning. While they watched He was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight, and the disciples returned to Jerusalem with joy in the hope of His personal return, with the angels' message upholding those who wait, watch and work. As members of the body of Christ believers must be active, living stones in His building, receiving power after the Holy Ghost is come upon them to be witnesses for Christ both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. It gives a worldwide message that calls for simplicity in everything, with no needless display on persons or in houses. The charge belongs also to everyone who has an intelligent knowledge of the plan of salvation: through the Holy Spirit's power Christ's followers are to witness to Him and reveal Christ and the Father to the world.

The promise belongs to the Holy Spirit that Jesus made just before ascending to heaven, and it was fulfilled in Acts 2. The disciples would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them and would then bear witness to Jesus from Jerusalem outward to the whole world, carrying their witness from Jerusalem through Judea and Samaria to the whole earth. Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem until the Spirit came, and their joy in His departure rested on the promise of His return and the coming of the Holy Spirit. After ten days of prayer, heart-searching, and reconciliation, the Spirit came upon them at Pentecost, equipping them to speak as the Spirit enabled them.

The verse answers the disciples' question about restoring the kingdom to Israel by telling them it is not for them to know the times or seasons the Father has put in His own power. They were not to dwell on speculative theories about future times and seasons, but to proclaim the gospel. Desire to know what God has not revealed must not weaken living faith in the promises of Scripture, for some things greatly desired to be known are not given to be known, and the privilege and duty of believers is to walk by faith and take God at His word. The Spirit's coming would prepare the disciples to continue Jesus' work by fully illuminating their minds so they could understand that work and take it up where He had left it, and though their hope that the Spirit would lead the Jewish people to accept Jesus was part of their expectation, their mission was to preach the gospel to every creature. This power renews spiritual life and equips for witness, and it comes as they pray and confess sin, clearing the way for the Spirit's promised, all-conquering work. The promise fills witnesses with holy boldness, with the assurance that Jesus will be with them always as a Friend at court.

The verse commands the disciples not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait and tarry there until endued with power from on high, and not to begin witnessing, preaching or leaving in their own strength. The same duty rests on ministers and workers now, including making Battle Creek their Jerusalem, stopping when influence outweighs good, and seeking a new conversion that fits them for their several fields. The power is the baptism with the Holy Ghost and with fire promised by the Father, a distinct and positive promise needed now that gives power to be His witnesses beginning near at home and extending through ever-widening fields to the uttermost part of the earth. It is received through continuing with one accord in prayer and supplication, searching the Scriptures, and walking humbly with God, and it was poured out at Pentecost when all were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke the wonderful works of God so that devout men from every nation heard in their own language. The same mighty power is at work now, and heaven will cooperate with those who do the work of the Lord, opening the understanding and giving power to do intelligent work for God among people of all countries and speeches in the last days, including intelligent knowledge of the truths of the third angel's message.

The Spirit equips them to labor with Christ for the salvation of people and to bear witness to Him, beginning in Jerusalem and extending through Judea and Samaria to the whole world, qualifying people to teach, with God carrying out this work through human agents who instruct others and preach the gospel. This witnessing means going into all the world to preach the gospel to every creature, copying Christ's life of unselfishness and love, giving unselfish service in His name, and making known to all people His suffering on Calvary's cross and His unchanging love for mankind. It means searching for the lost sheep and declaring to all men the gospel of a sin-pardoning Saviour by the authority of Him whom the Jews crucified but who rose from the dead and appointed them to the ministry of His word, with the assurance that many would respond, opening the world as the field of labor. It has a special bearing on God's people at this time as a charge carrying solemn responsibility because salvation was purchased at infinite cost.

The verse gives a progressive order from near to far: Jerusalem stands for home, family, children to be trained, hungry souls at the door and nearest duty, then Judea and the neighborhood, then Samaria, then the uttermost part of the earth. The same order applies to those who share a message of truth: the Spirit must first work in their own hearts, its transforming power should be seen in their homes, and their work should widen from family to neighborhood and nearby communities until it reaches the world. Empowered by the Spirit, they were to proclaim pardon for sin and salvation through repentance and the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour, beginning in Jerusalem, then reaching Judea and Samaria, and finally the whole world. The Spirit's illumination would bring courage and spiritual understanding with courage and joy, deepen understanding of God's love, and assure connection with Heaven.

The gospel was not to be confined to the Jews but was to convert Gentiles as well as Jews, showing God shows no partiality and no person is to be regarded as unclean. Jewish teaching about being children of Abraham and heirs of divine promise made the disciples slow to comprehend and act on this because of prior Jewish teachings, and it was not until several years after the ascension that their minds were expanded to understand it. The scattering after Stephen's death and the willing reception and conversions among Samaritans and all classes without definite special effort taught them this intent, and Philip's success in Samaria with Peter and John made the meaning plain. The Samaritans' welcome of Philip's preaching and the many who believed and were baptized showed the disciples the verse's meaning that the witness to Christ was to cross the boundary between Jews and Samaritans and extend beyond Jerusalem. The successful work in Samaria, where Philip preached and Jewish converts brought the gospel to people who had once been their enemies, helped the apostles understand the reach of the commission more fully as Samaritans and Gentiles received the message and joined the believers.

The verse is the great missionary charter of His kingdom, making unlearned disciples His ambassadors bearing divine credentials in His name and the architects to lay the foundation of His church. That power makes them able as God's peculiar people to engage in the great work, with every action fastening attention on Christ's name as possessing the vital power that brings men into oneness with Him, as the fountain of mercies, blessings and power, as their watchword, badge, bond, authority and source of success. The promise assures disciples who are awake to the dangers assailing them that if they go forward in faith they will move under the shield of Omnipotence, because Christ makes every provision for the success of their mission and takes the responsibility of the work upon Himself. It lays on them and all who succeed them as ministers the charge of handing the gospel down from generation to generation, with the assurance that Jesus will be with them always as a Friend at court, sustaining and guiding them and giving success to their words as they faithfully carry out their duty. As they obey His word and work with Him in faith and confidence, they will not fail, though not expecting an easy task but facing spiritual opposition with Christ's presence and power to guide, strengthen and sustain them.

It means not waiting for people to come but diligently hunting and searching for lost souls everywhere, passing by no one, with unselfish labor and freewill offerings to open new fields. It means first tarrying in Jerusalem and seeking the Lord until endued with power from on high, then going forth everywhere presenting the gospel message, with positive results as the Lord works with them and confirms the word with signs following. Before leaving His disciples Christ made His plans and set His work in order to impress the church with its missionary character and its work to spread the gospel of truth. He sends His people as missionary messengers to the world to circulate the message of truth in all directions and to carry light and peace to those in darkness, to those near and those far off, with no boundary, until everyone hears and receives light and truth to transmit to others. The whole church is responsible for fulfilling that commission, and every member who has come to a knowledge of the truth is accountable to enlist every power in it with earnest longing of soul and full wakefulness.

Promise of Spirit Power

The power in the verse is received after the Holy Spirit comes upon believers, as the baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire promised by the Father. It is a new endowment and a seal for work, supernatural power and Pentecostal, all-conquering energy for witnessing beginning in Jerusalem and extending through Judea and Samaria to the whole world. It renews spiritual life and brings a deeper understanding of the joys of salvation. It enables consecrated, unselfish workers who give themselves wholly to the Lord and go forward with Christ as companion to overcome self and selfishness and to reveal Him full of grace and truth, with Christ supplying meekness, lowliness, strength, efficiency and whatever human strength and judgment lack for the work.

The Holy Spirit who dwelt in Christ and enabled His ministry is the source of intelligence, strength, efficiency, wisdom, divine authority and divine sufficiency for doing Christ's work. Learning, eloquence, and natural or acquired abilities cannot touch hearts or win sinners without the Spirit, and the gospel was not to be proclaimed through human strength or wisdom but through God's power. The Spirit teaches truth, convicts of sin, recalls Christ's words, qualifies people to teach and to gather people to the truth, guides into all truth, and joins the church's testimony to warn the world. When even poor and unlearned disciples are connected with Christ and receive the Spirit's gifts, God works through them with power to influence hearts, and the harvest of converts after Christ's ascension showed the power of His teaching. He supplies renewed physical, mental and spiritual strength for what human weakness could not accomplish, and this promise was to be fulfilled as a new experience after Pentecost for ministers and medical workers as well as for the first disciples.

The Spirit comes as Christ's representative sent to the world at His ascension to make real in hearts and lives what Christ made possible by His death, giving divine gifts as He sees fit. From Pentecost onward He serves believers who have Jesus abiding in the heart by faith and who accept Christ as personal Saviour and yield themselves to God and His service as Counselor, Sanctifier, Guide and Witness. He is given to enlighten, convert and sanctify, and His heavenly endowment qualified the disciples to testify of Christ as the Prince of life and to carry their witness from Jerusalem and Judea through Samaria to the ends of the earth. He is closely joined to Christ crucified for sins, risen from the dead and interceding before God, and the closer believers walk with God the more clearly and powerfully their testimony shows the Saviour's love and the transforming power of redeeming love. This great promise for the church and source of power for its work was given special prominence by Christ, yet it is often neglected and remains little fulfilled.

The promise belongs to believers today as truly as to the first disciples, to those called by God in every generation, to women and men, ministers, medical workers, students, youth and children who trust His word and offer themselves for service. The apostles' commission applies in every age to carry the witness from Jerusalem through Judea and Samaria to the whole world, and the gospel is to be preached throughout the world as a witness before the end comes. It was fulfilled as a new experience after Pentecost with prayer in faith and putting away of differences, with the promised Spirit poured out and thousands converted in a day, and students who engage in God's work are likewise qualified by the Spirit and go forth under God's power. The power is given for the salvation of souls, not merely for the disciples' benefit, and those who unite in seeking the lost may ask in faith for the Spirit's blessing. The latter rain promised for the last days will bring an even more abundant outpouring, arousing all nations to repentance and enabling the last message of mercy and the truths of the third angel's message.

The power is sought for planning and carrying out work, for the help and wisdom needed by missionaries and messengers to meet the needs of a world perishing in sin, for wisdom for ambassadors in mission fields, and for working the cities in the last days with earnest unselfish labor trusting in God. It comes upon believers wherever they are sent as they abide in God's truth by living faith, cherish the fear and love of God, go daily to God for guidance and instruction, depend on Him for light and knowledge, and pray without forgetting even while working with the hands. This power is sought through earnest prayer and close, daily learning from God, through prayer for the Spirit's baptism, and through workers praying together, believing with all the heart until instruction and light are received. Receiving the Spirit seals servants for preaching the gospel and counsels them in their work. Heaven then cooperates, opening understanding, giving power for intelligent work and making an impression on minds, so that many are brought to a knowledge of the truth.

Witness and Its Message

The call to be witnesses remains in force to the end of time and belongs to Christ's commission to His disciples. It is not for ordained ministers alone but for every follower, for all who have intelligent knowledge of salvation and for every converted soul. At baptism believers pledge by covenant to be His helping hand, laborers together with God, bound to act a part in redemption. At all times and in all places they witness because they belong to Him by creation and redemption, as living human agents through whom He communicates blessing to others.

A faithful witness gives a personal, timely testimony grounded in living experience of Christ and personal knowledge of Him as personal Saviour. Those joined to Christ by living faith accept the promise of John 3:16 for themselves and proclaim that message of love and everlasting life. What is shown in character and words is what one has seen and heard, the struggles bringing growth, the truth's refining, ennobling and sanctifying effect, and God's faithfulness marked with individuality. Mere recounting of earlier generations or exalting self hides Christ, while effective witness requires forgiveness of sins, a living connection with God, and experience of His love and grace. Those who fear shortcomings make them unfit are given hope, for they are to receive the Spirit's power and let Christ's gentleness, patience and love shape the witness, putting away harshness and criticism. The same service still calls people to partnership with Him, declaring what they have seen and heard, living the truth with the living Witness in the heart, proclaiming it with heart, soul and voice, and praying and searching the Word to understand the promises.

The witness testifies as eyewitnesses of what they saw and heard of Christ's self-sacrificing life, spotless character, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension, and repeats His gracious words. It proclaims pardon for sin and salvation through repentance and the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour, forgiveness in His name, reconciliation to God and everlasting life. This is the commission to proclaim His suffering and resurrection and repentance and forgiveness among all nations, revealing God's love through His life, suffering, death and resurrection. The message of mercy is for all nations, tongues and peoples, first to Israel then to Jews and Gentiles gathered into one church, as foretold by prophets and symbolized in sacrifices. Though Jerusalem had rejected Heaven's gift and its people had murdered Jesus, the apostles were first to offer them mercy there, testifying as eyewitnesses of Jesus and His resurrection, explaining fulfilled prophecies, presenting convincing evidence, and telling that He freely receives those who come confessing sins. Their service copies His unselfishness and love, making known His suffering on Calvary's cross and His unchanging love, going out seeking people rather than waiting for them to come, and going into all the world to preach to every creature.

Witnessing is not limited to preaching but includes helping the needy, relieving suffering, comforting the sorrowful, and living the truth. Through social relationships sanctified by grace, compassion, love, mercy and unselfish service, believers become living epistles and bodies of light. The power promised is social power sanctified by the grace of Christ, to be improved in winning souls, showing religion does not make one unsympathetic or exacting, and ministering for the benefit of men as Christ did. Those who have received Christ's love and divine light use sanctified social influence to win others and help transform minds corrupted by sin and false habits, while standing firm against surrounding influences. God cannot display the knowledge of His will and the wonders of His grace among the unbelieving world unless He has witnesses scattered over the earth, whose faith and works warn of judgment, testify to the near approach of the coming Saviour, show they have not received grace in vain, and give those who heard only fables the sure word of prophecy as light in darkness. This power is shown in a life representing Christ in words, spirit and actions especially under severe testing, as believers seek His fullness, follow humbly, learn daily, reflect His character, and grow toward perfection.

The Spirit-confirmed witness was attended by signs and wonders, miracles in Jesus' name, overcoming Satan's works, healing the sick and casting out evil spirits. If the church had kept its holy and distinct character, that power would have remained with her, making her mighty. At Pentecost the witness was given clear accurate speech in native and foreign languages they had not learned, overcoming a barrier they could not have overcome by their own efforts. Tongues like fire represented fervent zeal and power accompanying their words, confirming the commission came from heaven and equipping them to spread the gospel abroad. Visitors from many parts of the world carried the truths they heard back to their own people, winning souls to Christ and extending the witness toward the earth's farthest regions. Their work was to begin where they were and extend as God opened the way, reaching outward to the whole world, and the Spirit can use even the humblest worker and seemingly limited labor to carry the message to the remotest parts.

Ordered Worldwide Mission

The witness was to begin in Jerusalem, the center of Judea and the scene of Christ's own work, where He had suffered, been rejected, condemned, dishonored and crucified as the rightful King. There many secretly believed He was the Messiah while others had been misled by religious leaders, and even His murderers were to receive the first offers of mercy. The apostles were to call the people there to repentance and make clear that forgiveness of sins comes through Christ alone, and because the city was stirred by recent events their preaching would make a deep impression. Fitted by the baptism of power after Christ's resurrection, ascension, glorification and enthronement in His mediatorial kingdom, they waited there until the Spirit showed duty to leave, and beginning there three thousand were converted in one day despite hatred and persecution.

From Jerusalem the mission was to extend through Judea and Samaria to the whole earth, to Gentiles as well as Jews, and not to stop with the church first established there. Persecution after Stephen's death scattered Christians from Jerusalem and they preached the word wherever they went through Judea, Samaria and farther abroad, fulfilling the worldwide order. Jesus' earlier visit and kindness had prepared Samaria, and Philip's success there, the welcome given by the Samaritans, and Jewish converts carrying the gospel to former enemies helped the slow disciples understand that the gospel was not confined to Jews.

The uttermost part of the earth makes the whole world the field, without boundary of country, class, sect, nationality or social distinction, to every creature, to distant islands reached by ships and to men of other tongues brought to believers' doors. Messengers were to carry the message rapidly from place to place and country to country, lifting the standard in near and far-off fields, even though only a small proportion accept it. Faithful work even in a limited field can ring to the ends of the earth and last through eternal ages, and because Christ died for the world and gave His life as an infinite sacrifice to save perishing sinners unto everlasting life, believers as His co-laborers have no right to use influence for contention and quarreling but must give self-denyingly instead of hoarding means or spending needlessly on dress.

The verse forbids stopping in Jerusalem, colonizing in one place, adding building to building, or holding meetings over and over in the same place. Workers are to be distributed where needed rather than strengthening one place by weakening another, going forth in the missionary spirit to labor in cities and towns that do not know the truth, planting the standard of truth in towns and cities that have not heard, and making centers, schools and sanitariums in many places for spreading the truth and preparing the way for Christ's coming. Sustained human effort is to carry truth into places where it has not been welcomed, including establishing a mission and humble church in Wellington and work in other cities in New Zealand and Australia despite determined opposition, beginning at camp-meetings and branching into byways after Christ's manner as pilgrims and strangers. Such work depends on stewards providing workers, means and places of worship, for angels are not sent to build churches, and under the same Pentecostal power that filled the room like a rushing mighty wind thousands are still converted as the word is preached everywhere.

The commission allows no ease or idle rest but continuous outward work with constant enlargement and progress, extending from city to city, from country to country and from nation to nation, moving continually onward and upward, established, strengthened and settled. Time is short and passing, the world is largely controlled by satanic agencies and will soon be even more fully in their possession, and while watching and waiting for the soon fulfillment of the promise of Christ's return workers are to work courageously and as hard as possible to proclaim the message of His return and the threefold message unto the uttermost part. Its words are to have greater force than ever before, demanding greater efficiency, greater earnestness and greater extension, educated ability comprehending its greatness and value from a sense of necessity rather than a money standpoint, more God-fearing workers organized for larger work, earnest faith, courage and unflagging zeal with new life from the Source of all life, and affliction permitted only as essential for purification, deeper piety and strength to carry the triumphs of the cross to all parts. Jesus lives to make intercession and expects help in saving the world for which He died, not devising wonderful inventions or seeking glory from men or making showy exploits that imperil lives to display something no one else has shown.

Fulfillment Then and Later

In obedience the disciples gathered in Jerusalem and waited ten days in deep heart-searching, prayer, confession, putting away differences and striving, and drawing into Christian fellowship and unity. At Pentecost the promise was fulfilled with a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, cloven tongues like fire sitting upon each one, and all filled with the Holy Ghost speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. The Spirit gave power to speak God's message and bear witness to it with strength, enabling clear and accurate speech in native and foreign languages they had not learned. The same day about three thousand souls were added through Peter's sermon, with thousands converted as the disciples went out as witnesses for Christ with the truth and the Word and Spirit of God despite opposition. The same blessing may still be received by coming to God with the whole heart emptied of prejudice, doubt and unbelief and expecting the Spirit, putting the receiver where spiritual things are discerned through living in close relation with God.

The mission advanced as persecution after Stephen's death scattered Christians from Jerusalem and they preached the Word wherever they went through Judea, Samaria and farther abroad. Visitors from many parts of the world heard the truths at the feast, carried them home to their own people, and won souls to Christ, extending the witness toward the earth's farthest regions though the disciples could not travel there themselves. Paul was changed from persecutor to messenger to the Gentiles, and the apostles bore positive and powerful testimony in Jerusalem, in Rome and in other places because the Holy Spirit accompanied them. Even Jews who refused the truth had to acknowledge the powerful influence attending Christ's followers, yet envious Jews and unbelieving residents accused Christian Jews of being disorderly and dangerous to the public good and constantly stirring up strife, leading to Christians being banished from Rome for preaching Jesus as Messiah. Yet within twenty years of the crucifixion a live, earnest, strong, zealous church stood in Rome, for which the Lord worked and whose people angels protected.

Proclaimed not by human strength or wisdom but by God's power with the cooperation of heavenly helpers, the work shook the world and within a single generation the gospel was carried to every nation under heaven and to the uttermost bounds of the inhabited world. Their witness made known Christ's unselfish love and His suffering on the cross, proclaiming Christ and Him crucified in a copious and powerful outpouring that brought many to salvation beyond any one country to the ends of the earth. Thousands were converted in a day, with converts flocking from all directions, backsliders reconverted and even former opponents brought in, as the truth cut like a flaming two-edged sword. When the church became selfish and worldly it failed to share the light and blessings entrusted to it, depriving the world of what God intended people to receive.

The same worldwide reach is seen in the light kindled at Wittenberg through Luther's message of the Saviour's love, pardon and peace. Its rays would spread to the uttermost parts of the earth and grow brighter until the close of time.

This history in Acts gives refreshment of mind and instruction in truth to those who study it, especially the experiences of Paul and the other apostles in empowered witnessing, because God's people in our day must pass through similar experiences. It provides lessons for setting the work in order, supporting the appointing of workers to neglected places who will act under the Holy Spirit's guidance and carry forward the work left undone. Understanding what true witness could be would bring awakening and humility, and the mission and power of Pentecost followed a period of communion with Jesus, including the meeting in Galilee, the parting scene on Olivet, and days of prayer together in the upper chamber. The heavenly power that qualified the disciples to testify from Jerusalem through Judea and Samaria to the farthest parts of the earth also leads people to the written Word and directs attention to God's standard of righteousness, for the Spirit does not lead against Bible teachings which must be studied. The commission applies to teaching Bible truth and reaching people where they are as well as carrying the message to wider fields, and together with the angels' message to the waiting disciples it calls for believing God's Word and showing faith through works and practical godliness.

Commission for Today

The commission with its promise of power after the Holy Spirit comes belongs not to the first disciples alone but to all who carry forward ministers' work from generation to generation and to present believers burdened for souls. It lays a sacred responsibility on those who proclaim God's message to value and cherish the heaven-given light for that broadly reaching work and to go forward with the Spirit's power. With that light they are to bear witness from Jerusalem and Judea through Samaria to the whole earth, proclaiming the message of mercy with earnestness and holy boldness in needy fields at home and abroad. That witness is part of making disciples and includes supporting the work such as medical missionary labor, and God will manifest His power among His believing people and advance His work despite opposition so indifference no longer blocks the way. Faithfully fulfilling it warns the world and prepares a people for the day of the Lord, and when the gospel has been preached among all nations Jesus will return with power and great glory.

The worldwide message is to be pressed with greater force than ever into specific unworked places rather than concentrated in one place. It calls for labor in Wellington and other cities in New Zealand and Australia despite opposition, in the Southern field with its colored population, among neighbors and cities in America, and for reaching people of every trade including moderate drinkers, carrying truth to the ends of the earth and to foreign lands still in darkness. Missionary work in the South calls for a rich endowment of the Spirit valued above material wealth, and ministers filled with the Spirit are to do their very best in God's strength in neglected unenlightened fields instead of staying to educate those who already know the truth, going amid opposing influences to convert men from error to truth and gaining thereby a greater knowledge of God than schools give. Those blessed with truth must awake, ask what the Lord wants them to do, and be uprooted from settled places to settle in foreign missionary fields such as Australia with a solid Christlike moulding influence, for light increases to enlighten every soul who shares it with others. This requires stewards to provide workers, means and places of worship, since God does not send angels to build churches, and the witnessing work is not to rest wholly upon the conference but upon lay men and women as workers with Christ.

Every believer is called to take part in this worldwide witness, and God can use even humble unordained workers to share the light He has given. Poor and unlearned fishermen, children trained in home and church, youth filled with the Spirit, and self-supporting laymen in foreign fields are included, and the church is summoned to a missionary spirit and determined effort even in the face of opposition with assurance that many will respond. Christ equipped the unlearned fishermen with knowledge and wisdom so adversaries could not resist them and their empowered testimony reached the uttermost parts of the earth without years of advanced study. Christ is waiting to pour His Spirit's power upon His people for this witness, and tithes, gifts and offerings sustain the spreading of the message.

The commission given just before the ascension means members of the body of Christ must be active living stones in His building, receiving power to witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth, with simplicity and no needless display on persons or houses. Christ entrusted the truth to His disciples so their missionary work would help complete the plan of salvation, that people would be saved and come to know the true God and Jesus Christ, proclaiming the gospel across nations, languages and peoples and carrying it by the churches into new fields. The promised power with Christ's continuing presence gave boldness to preach the word and fulfill the ministry, and Jerusalem was to be a major center where heaven's light would shine powerfully through His witnesses. The gospel could have reached every family long ago if people had welcomed the message and worked with God, the delay coming from ceasing to make progress rather than any lack in God's provision. The whole church is therefore responsible with no excuse to circulate truth in all directions near and far and cooperate with heavenly agencies, asserting His claims on time, money and intellect purchased at Calvary, for failure leaves churches surrounded by unbelief like the pall of death.

Carrying out the last message given before He was parted and taken up requires bringing truth before men in high places and giving them a fair chance to receive, hear and weigh evidence, with travail of soul for them and the gracious invitation to come. Much more is to be done for them in this way, and advantages and means obtained from them to advance the cause without sacrificing principle. It includes raising the gospel banner in distant fields where people have not heard so they can be warned and gather around it, supporting that work with workers and resources, establishing missions and humble churches, and sending missionaries worldwide to take the message to all parts. In the ministry of the Word the Spirit makes men and women God's mouthpieces and channels of Christ's grace enabling the gospel to spread, while ministers not controlled by the Spirit speak for themselves rather than for God. Talents entrusted are to be used to proclaim truth simply and send the gospel everywhere to awaken burdened souls to inquire what they must do to be saved.

Receiving and Living Witness

Power is received by continuing with one accord in prayer and supplication, humbling the heart before God, searching the Scriptures, walking humbly, confessing sins, and putting away differences, striving for the highest place, criticism and strife. It is claimed by faith that takes God at His word and believes He will do just as He said, expecting the Spirit, depending on Him for light and guidance wherever sent, and coming with whole heart emptied of prejudice, doubt and unbelief. Churches grown spiritually inactive are to gather and plead for the Spirit as the disciples did before Pentecost, and receiving Him brings light to share with those around them while holding to principles that keep in the truth. Seeking God earnestly in this way is needed before decisions involving solemn principles, for the Spirit's coming supplies guidance and wisdom.

The Spirit must first sanctify and ennoble the workers' own hearts and lives, and be seen in their homes before widening outward. Parents who follow God's Word witness through family life and raise children to know God and stand under Christ's banner. Social meetings train believers to profess truth, take up the cross, overcome fear and trembling, and learn to bear witness. Earnest prayer grounded in Bible lessons changes hardened unconverted youth into penitent believers, who then become witnesses at home by testimony and changed lives manifesting the Spirit and power of God. Faithful attention to the simplest duties close at hand brings success and courage as the field opens.

Peter's denial shows how little self-confidence can sustain a witness, but Jesus' grief-filled yet not hopeless look broke his heart, and after conversion he boldly testified before rulers, with threats and imprisonment unable to silence the apostles. Helpless and discouraged after their Lord's death, poor and regarded as ignorant, the disciples were transformed and united in Christian love, and went out humbly proclaiming His birth and cross armed only with God's word and Spirit, triumphing over opposition. By the Spirit's light they distinguished truth from false teaching and gave the Word of life, and their Spirit-given words carried divine power that shook the world. True witnesses put away harshness, reveal gentleness, patience and love, judge their unlikeness to Christ, strive toward perfection of His character until sealed, and let the Spirit bring vital truths to mind while they act.

Empowered witnesses diligently hunt and search for lost souls everywhere, passing by no one, for every person met is a neighbor to whom the light of truth should be shared, and believers are to be trained for this duty so faith spreads its influence. They go into all the world to preach to every creature, copying Christ's unselfish love and Calvary suffering, declaring His love, mercies and goodness sincerely, simply, earnestly and intelligently, using their abilities together. They present Christ and His truth as a living force that changes lives, warn of His return calling to repentance, and let none be held back by men's forbiddings. Renewed by truth and shaped by personal faith in Christ and experience of His grace, they share the story of redeeming love and Christ crucified in answer to earnest persevering prayer, and when every church member is so filled the church works with effectiveness Satan and his angels cannot resist. Where believers fail, people go unwarned and the world is deprived of the Spirit's influence.

This witness is borne by declaring what was seen and heard with heart, soul and voice, praying and searching the Word to understand the promises, and going everywhere preaching with God's power attending the message. Its testimony concerns Christ and the revelation of God's love through His life, suffering, death and resurrection, carrying forward His mission and the light of redemption from the local community through Judea and Samaria to the whole world. God draws near to bless and revive His people and empower them for a special work, but they must allow the Spirit to work in them rather than refuse His power. Ministers who have received the Holy Spirit should do their very best in God's strength in neglected unenlightened fields instead of staying to educate those who already know truth, using their gifts to carry the burden of the work amid opposing influences to convert men from error to truth. Going out in that power gives far greater knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ than the education of the schools.