The gospel is seen to be glorious news which must be told. How will this be done? What is God’s plan? Who will be the witnesses? A very remarkable verse, more than any other, seems to outline the strategy of God for the propagation of the story of His Son. Incidentally, these are the last words which Christ uttered before returning home to heaven. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
“But ye…” The scene is the Mount of Olives; the time is the day of Christ’s ascension. The Lord speaks of the disciples, eleven of whom are assembled together. But surely He does not limit these important marching orders to them. Our Lord gives a great plan for advance for Christians of all ages, and unquestionably it applies to us today.
“…shall receive power…” The word used for power in this case means explosive power, ability, strength to accomplish, the might of God. And on the Day of Pentecost this power was made available to believers in the marvelous Person of the Holy Spirit. Today He abides in the hearts of all truly born-again Christians, and with His presence is His power.
“…the Holy Ghost is come upon you…” Actually, this may not refer so much to the advent of the Spirit as to His enduement for service. It is synonymous with the Spirit’s filling. It is so necessary! There is no successful witnessing without Him in His fullness. All essential wisdom and ability and direction are found in His imparted power.
“…and ye shall be witnesses…” The word for witness is derived from the Greek martus from which we get our word “martyr,” an expression of solemn meaning. In the history of the early Christian church, the word was equated with danger, persecution, death. However, the primary meaning of the word is as we use it today, which has to do with telling what you know to be true, with giving a good confession, with personally endorsing expressed truth.
“…unto Me…” This is the heart and center of witnessing. We remember that these men were Jews, who had been Orthodox in their belief, and at least partially blameless in their observance of the Law. Now they begin something new. They are to witness to a Person. Their message is to center in Him: His Person, His work, His Word, His death, His resurrection, and His return. What a contrast to their former teaching of the Law! Their word of witnesses must never exclude Him.
“…both…” We must not overlook this important directive. The witnessing will begin at a certain spot and proceed outward until the ends of the earth are reached. But it is not to be a once-for-all proposition. Witnessing is to be maintained. It is to be carried on at home and abroad, lest anyone should argue, “We will witness here, and you may witness there.”
“…in Jerusalem…” The disciples at that time were in Jerusalem. God’s plan evidently was that the living testimony should take root there. Why? Perhaps there was a spiritual reason to begin where Christ died and rose again. Surely Jerusalem was rich with the presence of Christ. The deeper significance of this expression, of course, is that witnessing must begin at home. For us today, it begins where we are. For churches, it begins where they are found. But it must not stop there.
“…and in all Judea…” Judea was the surrounding territory, the area corresponding to a county. Note the use of the word “all.” The gospel was to radiate in every direction like the spokes of a wheel. With Jerusalem as the hub, the gospel was to be propagated simultaneously into every area. As the disciples went out with the message, additional support would be forthcoming to continue the outward thrust.
“…and in Samaria…” Witnessing continues north, south, east, and west—on and on and on. Ever-advancing, ever-evangelizing, the messengers carry the Word and progress is made. But Samaria, though close at home, would require them to deal with inbred prejudices if they were to take the gospel there.
“…and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Where is the strength for this ambitious program? Don’t you see? As believers witness in one section, men and women are saved. New Christians are added to the group and give their support. They in turn become witnesses. The call to go forth reaches them, and they pledge their resources to the cause of Christ.
These are all the words of Christ—thirty-nine of them in English. After He had given these orders, the Lord Jesus ascended and the disciples saw Him no more. But suddenly angel messengers were by their side (Acts 1:10-11): “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?” Now was the time to begin. Work was to be done, and “Let’s go at it” was the order.
It is still serious business, though many centuries have intervened. The call to witness still goes forth. What are we doing to obey His directions?
Written by William W. Orr