Acts 1:8 and Acts 8:1
Acts 1:8 and Acts 8:1
Ever wonder what Acts 1:8 and Acts 8:1 have in relation to each other?
Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 8:1 "And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria."
Before Jesus' ascension, the apostles were commissioned to bring the Good News, beginning from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Jesus also promised them the power from the Holy Spirit. We read that after Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles went back to their homes and preached the good news of the Lord to fellow Jews. On the surface, they seemed to be contented with what they were doing and where they were. So what happened to going into "all Judea and Samaria"?
One of the night class lecturer once pointed out that while Acts 1:8 speaks about the power of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, Acts 8:1 we see the disciples being "shaken" out of their comfort zone, as they were forced to bring the Gospel with them to wherever they were scattered to - that's when the Great Commission "finally" materalized.
Are we too comfortable with what we have and who we are that at times when God command us to step out of our comfort zone to accomplish His will, we choose to stay put instead? Do you think Acts 1:8 and Acts 8:1 is mere coincidence? I don't think so =) *wink*
Ever wonder what Acts 1:8 and Acts 8:1 have in relation to each other?
Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 8:1 "And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria."
Before Jesus' ascension, the apostles were commissioned to bring the Good News, beginning from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Jesus also promised them the power from the Holy Spirit. We read that after Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles went back to their homes and preached the good news of the Lord to fellow Jews. On the surface, they seemed to be contented with what they were doing and where they were. So what happened to going into "all Judea and Samaria"?
One of the night class lecturer once pointed out that while Acts 1:8 speaks about the power of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, Acts 8:1 we see the disciples being "shaken" out of their comfort zone, as they were forced to bring the Gospel with them to wherever they were scattered to - that's when the Great Commission "finally" materalized.
Are we too comfortable with what we have and who we are that at times when God command us to step out of our comfort zone to accomplish His will, we choose to stay put instead? Do you think Acts 1:8 and Acts 8:1 is mere coincidence? I don't think so =) *wink*
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