The Promise of the Father and World Evangelism:
“8) but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”” Acts 1:8
I now want to talk about another subject. I want to talk about the Holy Spirits role in evangelism and the spread of the gospel world wide. This was foremost on the mind of Jesus in this context of the book of Acts.
Notice that Jesus mentioned being witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. Like John 3:16, the gospel is intended for the whole world.
Reaching the whole world with the gospel is a huge task. Have you ever noticed all the people and language groups present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost? Let’s review them.
“5) Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6) And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7) They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8) And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9) Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10) Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11) Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” 12) And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”” Acts 2:5-12
We need to ask their question again, “What does this mean?” The giving of the Holy Spirit was wrapped around the command to spread the gospel world wide! The Promise of the Holy Spirit was the provision to carry out the Great Commission!
Every spiritual gift serves a Great Commission Purpose! This radically changes the way we view the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. It is a fascinating study. When I saw this it revolutionized my understanding of this subject.
Have you ever noticed that John 15 is sandwiched between John 14 and 16? The discussion of fruitfulness has the bookends of the promise of the Holy Spirit.
To the extent that the ministry of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts are locked behind the doors of the church and either ignored or hoarded by believers, the Great Commission is hampered and our understanding is distorted. Our Christian experience also becomes boring, mundane and powerless.
You cannot surf on the wake of the supernatural in an aquarium. If you want to see the Holy Spirit work, step out and become a witness for Jesus Christ.
There’s a reason Jesus sent His disciples out on short term mission trips. There’s a reason why Paul made disciples by inviting them on mission trips. That’s where signs and wonders happened to confirm the gospel message. That’s where they experienced the power of God at work!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“8) but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”” Acts 1:8
I now want to talk about another subject. I want to talk about the Holy Spirits role in evangelism and the spread of the gospel world wide. This was foremost on the mind of Jesus in this context of the book of Acts.
Notice that Jesus mentioned being witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. Like John 3:16, the gospel is intended for the whole world.
Reaching the whole world with the gospel is a huge task. Have you ever noticed all the people and language groups present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost? Let’s review them.
“5) Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6) And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7) They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8) And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9) Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10) Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11) Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” 12) And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”” Acts 2:5-12
We need to ask their question again, “What does this mean?” The giving of the Holy Spirit was wrapped around the command to spread the gospel world wide! The Promise of the Holy Spirit was the provision to carry out the Great Commission!
Every spiritual gift serves a Great Commission Purpose! This radically changes the way we view the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. It is a fascinating study. When I saw this it revolutionized my understanding of this subject.
Have you ever noticed that John 15 is sandwiched between John 14 and 16? The discussion of fruitfulness has the bookends of the promise of the Holy Spirit.
To the extent that the ministry of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts are locked behind the doors of the church and either ignored or hoarded by believers, the Great Commission is hampered and our understanding is distorted. Our Christian experience also becomes boring, mundane and powerless.
You cannot surf on the wake of the supernatural in an aquarium. If you want to see the Holy Spirit work, step out and become a witness for Jesus Christ.
There’s a reason Jesus sent His disciples out on short term mission trips. There’s a reason why Paul made disciples by inviting them on mission trips. That’s where signs and wonders happened to confirm the gospel message. That’s where they experienced the power of God at work!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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