But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
1:8
— but you will receive power, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, — The promise of the Holy Spirit was the promise of power. see Luke 24:49; Joh 14:26; Joh 15:26; Joh 16:7-13. This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:1-47. This text (1:8) clearly demonstrates that it was merely a symbolic act when Jesus “breathed on them, and said: Receive ye the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you remit, they are remitted to them; and to whom ye retain them, they are retained” (Joh 20:22-23). The most important thing, then, was not knowing when the kingdom would be restored, but the promise that “you will receive power.” This should occupy his attention instead of his curiosity about dates. The apostles always wanted power. They argued about who would have more power. Now they would receive true power, not the power they expected, but a much greater and more important power. Description of this power: — it was power to remember the teaching of Jesus, Joh 14:26. —was power to reveal all truth, Joh 16:3. —was power to confirm the word with signs, Mar 16:17-20; Acts 14:3; Hebrews 2:3, speaking in tongues they had not studied, healing, raising the dead, casting out demons, etc. — was power the Jews could not resist. —was power that the Gentiles could not resist. — it was power that prisons and chains could not overcome, 2Ti 2:9. — and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. — This text is one of the key points of the book. It’s like an outline of the book. Give the geographical index of the evangelization program that would be carried out. The apostles were the chosen witnesses, Ac 10:41; Luke 24:48; Joh 15:27 (They had been with Jesus from the beginning; see Acts 1:21-22); 1Jn 1:1-4; Ac 10:39 They knew the life and work of Jesus. They were not merely heralds, but witnesses. Apart from them, there are no more witnesses now. The apostles remain the chosen witnesses of Christ. They are the only true Jehovah’s Witnesses. The word “witness” is also translated “martyr.” The Greek word is martus or martur, “from which comes the Castilian word martyr, one who bears witness through his death” (Vine). They went to preach in Jerusalem and in Judea, Acts 2:1-47; Acts 3:1-26; Acts 4:1-37; Acts 5:1-42; Acts 6:1-15; Acts 7:1-60. Jesus would be vindicated in the capital city in which he was humiliated and crucified. All pious Jews from all nations came to this city to celebrate three solemn feasts: the Passover Feast, the Pentecost Feast, and the Feast of Tabernacles. They were going to preach in Samaria, Acts 8:1-40. Jesus had forbidden the apostles to preach to the Samaritans during his personal ministry (Matt 10:5), but He did recognize that the field was white to harvest (Joh 4:35). Therefore, after preaching in Jerusalem and Judea, they took the gospel to Samaria, Acts 8:1; Acts 8:4-5; Ac 8:12; Ac 8:14; Ac 8:31. Later, they took the gospel to all nations, done 10-28. He says the Ps 2:8“Ask me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, and the ends of the earth as your possession.”
Source: Commentary on the New Testament by Partain
but you will receive power. Acts 2:1-4; Acts 6:8; Ac 8:19; Mic 3:8; Zech 4:6; Luke 1:35; Luke 24:29; Luke 10:19; Romans 15:19; Rev 11:3-6.
and you will be my witnesses. Ac 1:22; Ac 2:32; Ac 3:15; Ac 4:33; Ac 5:32; Acts 10:39-41; Ac 13:31; Ac 22:15; Matt 28:19; Tue 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; Joh 15:27.
in Samaria. Acts 8:5-25.
to the ends of the earth. Salt 22:27; Ps 98:3; Isaiah 42:10; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 52:10; Isaiah 66:19; Jer 16:19; Matt 24:14; Romans 10:18; Romans 15:19.
Source: The Treasury of Biblical Knowledge
The job of the disciples is to transport their message throughout the world and not to worry about the date of Christ’s return.
you will receive power: This does not refer to a personal power for godly living, like that of the OT saints. (see Abraham in Gen 22:1-24; joseph in Gen 39:1-23; moses in Exo 14:1-31; daniel in Dan 6:1-28). It refers to a power to perform a new task; namely, to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.
you will be witnesses it is a command from Christ for his disciples to tell others about him regardless of the consequences. Tradition tells us that only one of the eleven apostles who heard this promise did not become a martyr (John died in exile). God empowers the disciples to be faithful witnesses even when faced with the most vehement opposition. The same power to give faith is granted to us today. Our task is not to convince people, but to attest to the truth of the gospel.
Source: New Illustrated Caribbean Bible Commentary
YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER. This is the key verse in the book of Acts. The main purpose of the baptism in the Spirit is to receive power to testify about Christ so that the lost will accept Him as their Savior and learn to obey everything He commands. Thus Christ will be able to be known, loved, adored and made Lord of God’s chosen people (cf. Matt 28:18-20; Luke 24:49; Joh 5:23; Joh 15:26-27).
(1) ‘Power’ (Gr. dunamis) means more than strength or capacity; it designates above all the power in operation, in action. The baptism in the Spirit will bring the personal power of the Holy Spirit into the life of the believer (see ARTICLE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, P. 1506. ).
(2) In this passage Luke does not relate the baptism in the Spirit with personal salvation and regeneration, but with the power within the believer to witness with great effectiveness (see ARTICLE THE REGENERATION OF THE DISCIPLES, P. 1491. ).
(3) The main work of the Holy Spirit in testimony and proclamation is to come upon believers so that they may receive power and bear witness to the saving work and resurrection of Christ (cf. Acts 2:14-42). See the following note for comments on how the Spirit witnesses and what that means in the life of the believer.
YOU WILL BE ME WITNESSES. The baptism in the Holy Ghost not only imparts power to preach Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (see previous note), but also increases the effectiveness of that witness because of a relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost that is established. strengthens and deepens by being filled with the Spirit (cf. Joh 14:26; Joh 15:26-27).
(1) The Holy Spirit reveals and makes more palpable for the believer the personal presence of Jesus Christ (Joh 14:16-18). Any testimony of intimate fellowship with Christ will result in an ever-increasing desire to love, honor, and please the Savior (see ARTICLE THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, P. 1518. ).
(2) The Holy Ghost testifies of “justice” (Joh 16:8; Joh 16:10) and “true” (Joh 16:13), which glorify Christ (Joh 16:14), not only with words, but also with deeds. Therefore, those who have received the witness of the Spirit about the redemptive work of Christ will necessarily manifest Christlikeness, love, truth, and justice in their lives (cf. 1Co 13:1-13).
(3) The baptism in the Holy Spirit empowers to testify about Christ and produces conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment in the lost person (see Joh 16:8, note). The effects of such conviction will become evident both in those who sincerely proclaim the message and in those who receive it (Acts 2:39-40).
(4) The baptism in the Holy Spirit can be given only to those whose hearts have repented of their wickedness and turned to God (Ac 2:38; Ac 3:26). It is maintained by the same sincere commitment to Christ (see Ac 5:32note).
(5) The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a baptism in the Spirit that is holy (cf. “Spirit of holiness,” Romans 1:4). Therefore, if the Spirit is truly working fully in the heart, the believer will live in greater conformity with the holiness of Christ.
In light of these biblical truths, those who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit will have an intense desire to please Christ in any way they can; that is, the fullness of the Spirit complements (ie, completes, fills) the saving and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. Those who claim the fullness of the Spirit, and at the same time live a life contrary to the holiness of the Spirit, are deceivers and liars. Those who display spiritual gifts, miracles, spectacular signs, or inspired oratory, but lack true faith, love, and righteousness, are operating not by the Holy Spirit but by an unclean spirit that is not from God (Matt 7:21-23; Matt 24:24; 2Co 11:13-15; see also ARTICLE PROOF OF GENUINE BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT, P. 1534. ). For additional comments on testifying about Christ, see Ac 13:31note.
Source: Full Life Study Bible
The mission of the apostles was to spread the gospel and was the main reason for the power that the Holy Spirit gave them. This event dramatically changed world history because it allowed the gospel message to reach every corner of the earth (Matt 28:19-20). you will receive power. The apostles had already experienced the power of the Holy Spirit to save, guide, teach, and perform miracles. They would soon receive his presence within them and a new dimension of power to witness (see notes on Acts 2:4; 1Co 6:19-20; Eph 3:16 ; Eph 3:20). witnesses. People who tell the truth about Jesus Christ (cf. Joh 14:26; 1Pe 3:15). The Greek word means “he who dies for his faith,” because that was almost always the price paid for bearing witness to Jesus. Judea. The region in which Jerusalem was located. Samaria. The region north of Judea (see note on Acts 8:5).
Source: MacArthur Study Bible
1:8 — but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you — The promise of the Holy Spirit was the promise of power. See Luke 24:49; Joh 14:26; Joh 15:26; Joh 16:7-13. This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:1-47. This text (1:8) clearly demonstrates that it was merely a symbolic act when Jesus “breathed on them and said, Receive ye the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you remit, they are remitted to them; and to whomever you retain, they are retained” (Joh 20:22-23).
The most important thing, then, was not knowing when the kingdom would be restored, but the promise that “you will receive power.” This should occupy his attention instead of his curiosity about dates. The apostles always wanted power. They argued about who would have more power. Now they would receive true power, not the power they expected, but a much greater and more important power.
Description of this power:
—was power to remember the teaching of Jesus, Joh 14:26.
—was power to reveal all truth, Joh 16:3.
— was power to confirm the word with signs, Mark 16:17-20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:3, speaking in tongues they had not studied, healing, raising…