“…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8b

Have you ever wondered how a group of men who, time after time, failed to grasp the teachings of Christ during His earthly ministry, could successfully bring the message of the Gospel to the ends of the earth?

The answer is in the first part of the verse I quoted above: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and…” Acts 1:8aOn the day Jesus ascended into heaven, He once again, assures His disciples that He will send them a Helper, (Comforter, Advocate) just as He promised:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”  John 14:26

Jesus still had many things that He wanted to teach them, but He was leaving.  In His absence, the Father had promised to send another to testify to the Truth, to teach them and guide them in the Truth, just as He has sent them Jesus. (John 15:26)”

I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take what is Mine and declare it to you.” John 16:12-14It’s unlikely the disciples could have received the comfort of these words given on the eve of Christ’s trial and crucifixion. At the time, all they could think of was their sorrow.

So, on the day of His ascension, Christ reminds them of His promise and bids them to wait for the gift promised by the Father. Acts 1:4

What happens next turns these fearful, uneducated men, into confident, fearless, enlightened, and power-filled witnesses of the Good News!