Reach the World
Super-empowered for the task ahead
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But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
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Ah, the other version of the Great Commission.
Let’s talk about being a witness.
I’m no lawyer and I didn’t even stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night … so my thoughts here are just that: my thoughts.
By definition, a witness is someone who sees or has personal knowledge of something; attesting to an event; or testimony. In this case, Jesus is giving final instructions to His disciples before leaving Earth: telling them to attest to His Kingdom work throughout the world.
It’s a huge task.
But we’ve got a gift to help us: the Holy Spirit.
And more: the Holy Spirit empowers us to be these bold witnesses.
I think that’s the main reason I can see Peter become so bold as he leads the church in Acts when he’d been such a knuckle-head (technical definition 😜) before that. The Spirit of God empowered him to be a witness.
Thankfully, you and I (if you’re a child of God) have that same power.
So when God calls me to be a witness too, he empowers me to do it.
An encouraging thought.
One last thought: there’s layers to the task. Jerusalem was the immediate place where they were. Judea was the larger region around Jerusalem. Samaria was the larger state around the region of Judea. Of course, the end of the earth speaks for itself.
All that to say:
Start where you’re at. Let God guide you.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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