The Ability
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8 (CSB)
Believers often overlook the importance of sharing Jesus for different reasons. Fear is the primary barrier, but some also admit they don't know any unbelievers or are influenced by political correctness. Knowing believers might find ways to avoid sharing Jesus, Jesus reminded us of our calling and assured us that we have everything necessary to be faithful witnesses as he ascended to heaven.
We have received the necessary power to share the Gospel. This strength doesn't come from ourselves but is given by the Lord through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. The Holy Spirit works in our lives, providing us with the strength needed to overcome any obstacles that might hinder our faithfulness in evangelism.
We have received the necessary presence to fulfill our mission. Believers are called to be witnesses for the Lord. A witness is someone who testifies based on their experience and shares what they know. In this passage, Luke uses a term that is the root of our word 'martyr.' When we understand the emphasis, we see that our ability to serve as witnesses depends on our personal experience with Jesus and the Holy Spirit's indwelling. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to boldly share this testimony, even risking death.
We have identified key locations for spreading the Gospel. Jesus described different areas for sharing His message, emphasizing Jerusalem as a focus. Jerusalem symbolizes the immediate environment where we share Jesus, representing those closest to us. The mention of Judea and Samaria highlights reaching out to people who may be similar to us but are outside our local context, or even those we dislike. As we progress, we are called to engage everyone with the Gospel, avoiding the role of gatekeeper and instead becoming active inviters, encouraging all to follow Jesus. Ultimately, the message extends to the very ends of the earth.
Believers often offer numerous excuses to avoid fulfilling the call to evangelism. However, Jesus stated that all these excuses can be overcome through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we strive to reach the world for Christ.
QUESTIONS
How can understanding the local and global responsibilities in evangelism change the way we share our faith?
What role does the Holy Spirit play when it comes to the practice of evangelism?
