Witnessing Christ

The continuation of God’s redemption plan for humanity always comes with a promise and its fulfillment. This is how He glorifies Himself and shows His power over all things.

Before breaking down this passage, it is important to understand the purpose of this account and the overall meaning of the Book of Acts (of the Apostles).

Context in Acts

The Book of Acts is the second part of Luke’s writings. While the Gospel of Luke tells the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, The Book of Acts tells the story of the early Church and how the Good News spread from Jerusalem to all nations.

Although Luke and Acts were separated between the 2nd and 3rd centuries to distinguish the story of Jesus from the story of the Church, they were originally written as one continuous account. Luke himself did not give a title to his work, but tradition calls it Acts of the Apostles because it records how the apostles and their companions spread the message of Jesus and established the first Christian communities.

This Book is addressed to Theophilus (means “lover of God) and covers about 38 years, from the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem (around A.D. 30–33) to Paul’s imprisonment in Rome (around A.D. 60–62). Luke was a physician, non-Jewish, likely of Greek origin, did not personally know Jesus, but he was a close companion of Paul and closely examined the early Church. His account is based on eyewitness testimony and careful investigation.

« Since many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting to me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in an orderly sequence, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.»  

Luke 1:1–4 NASB

We see a clear progression in the spread of the Gospel: from Jerusalem, the religious center of Judaism, to Judea and Samaria, and finally to Rome, the center of the Roman Empire. 

Along the way, the apostles faced cultural challenges, tensions between Jewish and Roman systems, and disagreements within the Church itself. Through all this, the Holy Spirit guided and empowered the early Church to complete the mission Jesus gave them.

During this time, the work of the Holy Spirit was fully revealed through the disciples, establishing foundations for the Church and creating a model for generations to come. For example: the first Church structures and ministries, the first heroes of the faith and missionaries, and the first time believers were called Christians in Antioch.

This historical account is very important because it shows a model for the Church today. The early believers, redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, suffered so that the light of the Truth would shine in the darkness and the Good News could reach many people.

We are now called to continue this mission. Even though our challenges may be smaller, we must remain faithful, because our reward in the Kingdom of Heaven will be great.

In summary, Luke’s purpose in writing The Book of Acts was to carefully record the beginnings of the Church, led by the Apostles, the first missionary efforts, the first Christians, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, now available to all people.

The Disciples’s misunderstanding

Now that we have a clear picture of the importance to read the Church history through the Book of Acts, let’s go back to the main passage in verse 6:

« So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” »

The disciples still expected Jesus to deliver Israel through an extraordinary act in the near future. To them, He was the Messiah, the King of the Jews, the one who would break Roman oppression, the long-awaited Savior promised since Genesis. But their understanding was still limited. 

Their expectation was too small. They desired for the restoration of the kingdom of Israel, but they did not yet realize that God’s saving plan was far greater, salvation for all who believe in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. That revelation would only come with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

They looked for a king to sit on a throne in Jerusalem. Instead, by His resurrection and ascension, Jesus was exalted as the King of kings and Lord of lords. And instead of giving them political power, He entrusted them with something far greater: a cross-shaped mission to the nations.

In verse 7, « Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. » This shows that God has ordained a specific time for the fulfillment of His redemptive plan, first for Israel, but also extending to all nations, according to His sovereign purpose and will.

Jesus’s correction

Verse 8, Jesus continues, « “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”»

The word “But” is crucial. It marks a turning point: instead of focusing on political restoration, Jesus reveals a spiritual mission. The disciples would receive something unique, the power of the Holy Spirit, sent by God Himself. This power would enable them to accomplish a mission prepared and appointed for them from eternity.

At that moment, through the finished work of Jesus Christ, God was about to open the way into His presence, for all who would believe in the Son, and repent before the Father. Through the Spirit, promised by the prophets, this salvation would now be applied to believers. 

This was the fulfillment of what Jesus had taught His disciples during His earthly ministry: that they would receive the Comforter, the Guide, the very power that raised Him from the dead, so that they could walk in obedience and bear witness to His name. Without the Spirit, evangelism is just human effort. With the Spirit, even the weakest testimony has power.

The Mission explained

This apostolic commission, commanded by Jesus Himself, was clear, precise, and without question. To be Spirit-filled witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Jerusalem: the capital of Judaism, the place of the religious leaders, Pharisees and Sadducees.

Judea and Samaria: provinces under Roman rule. The Samaritans were considered impure and heretical by the Jews of Jerusalem. In sending the Gospel there, God shows that His salvation is for all, even those rejected by men, so that His power may be displayed and His glory magnified.

The ends of the earth: this is the command of Jesus, and it remains the Church’s mission today. Being led by the Holy Spirit, set appart for God’s work.

If Acts shows us the first witnesses, then the question for us is this: Where is the field where the Holy Spirit would like us to be led to?

Where is our Jerusalem? the immediate circle around us, our family, our neighborhood, our workplace?
Who are the Samaritans in our life? the people we find difficult, different, or even uncomfortable, yet whom God calls us to love?
What does the ‘end of the earth’ look like for us? perhaps a stranger, another culture, or someone God puts in our path?

The mission of Acts is not only history, it is our present calling. The Spirit is still asking: Where will you let Me lead you?”

And what was their testimony or the message about?

It was the witnessing and proclaiming of His coming, His birth, His life, His ministry, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, and His soon return.

Christ accomplished at the Cross what no one could ever achieve by their own strength or means. It is only by the grace of God that we are saved, through the work of the Holy Spirit sent from the Father, so that we may live for His will.

This was and still is the glorious Gospel today, the core of our Christian belief, transmitted through the ages from the Apostles up to this very day. For centuries the testimony has never changed, and it never will.

Yes, society may change, nations may change, but Christ never changes, His Word never changes, and the Gospel never changes. We can be changed and live according to God’s will only through a genuine, authentic dependence on Jesus, through the power and work of the Holy Spirit within us.

Our mission today is equally clear: to be faithful instruments, bearing witness to Christ and Christ crucified. In this way, people will be saved, transformed, freed from their bondage of sin, fears, traumas, addictions, loneliness, and abandonment. At the same time, the children of God will grow into maturity, be firmly established in the faith, and serve as living examples for the generations to come.

This passage affirms that God has been preparing something beyond our sight and far greater than we can fully understand. 

As it is written: “For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You,Who acts in behalf of one who waits for Him.”. Is 64:4 NASB

Our ability to discern God’s plan is limited, but through the work of the Holy Spirit and His Holy Scripture, the road will become clearer, greater, and more joyful for the times to come.