Just before ascending back to heaven, Jesus gave His followers a mission. They were called to go and tell the Gospel. Acts 1: 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.[1]
These are the last recorded words of Jesus on this earth and thus have great importance. The rest of the book of Acts tells how Jesus’ followers carried out this directive. Jesus’ instructions were not just for the first-century believers. These instructions continue to guide us as we serve Jesus today.
A Vision Statement for the Church
Jesus had instituted the New Covenant the night before He was crucified. For Jesus’ death and resurrection was the pivot point for God’s followers. God’s mission was to be carried out by those who know Christ and listen to Him. That includes you and me!
But, thankfully, we don’t have to do this enormous task on our own. Jesus had promised the gift of the Holy Spirit multiple times during His ministry. Now, Jesus explained that it will be through the power of the Holy Spirit that believers can carry out this task. This is the same Spirit that guided Jesus in His ministry and soon would come to live in believers’ hearts.
Today, we often think that presenting the Gospel to the world should be left to professionals in full-time ministry. But that is not what Jesus commanded. He said we are to be witnesses. A witness tells what one has seen or heard, not hearsay, but what they have experienced. Basically, Jesus tells us to tell others what we know.
We can trust the Holy Spirit to give us the boldness and insight to do this. Jesus had given this promise earlier. Luke 12: 11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” [2]
Ripples on a Pond
Jesus told the disciples and us to start where we are. They were to start in Jerusalem and move out in ever-widening circles until the whole earth had heard the Gospel. The Book of Acts demonstrates this progression. Acts chapter 2-8 tells us of the spread of the Gospel in Jerusalem itself. Then, due to persecution, many believers left Jerusalem and took the message of Jesus with them to Judea and Samaria. Later, Paul took the Gospel farther and finally to Rome (Acts 13-28).
As we tell what we know about Jesus to those we know, they, in turn, can do the same. The task can seem daunting, but we have the promise of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Spirit guided the early believers, He continues to guide the church today. The Spirit is the power that gives us courage, boldness, confidence, and insight as we give witness of Jesus to those who don’t know Him. We all are called to go and tell the Gospel. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/ascension-jesus-and-the-disciples-in-transition
[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.