Acts 1:1-8 MSG

Dear Theophilus, in the first volume of this book I wrote on everything that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he said good-bye to the apostles, the ones he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. As they met and ate meals together, he told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but “must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon.”

When they were together for the last time they asked, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?” He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.” (Acts 1:1-8 MSG)

Mission Possible

From today's devotional

Acts 1.1-8

What an awesome task Christ assigned to his disciples when he commissioned them to proclaim the gospel and make disciples of people from all nations. If such a significant mission was dependent upon the personal capacity of these few followers, then the Great Commission could be appropriately described as “Mission Impossible!”

Jesus assured his disciples of success by letting them know that he possessed all authority in heaven and earth and promised that he would be with them through the completion of the assignment (Matthew 28.18-20). What a relief!

The book of Acts is the inspired record of how Christ kept this promise. By sending the Holy Spirit to indwell them, Jesus was not only with them, but his Spirit was also in them (v 8; John 14.15-18). As we journey through the book of Acts, we will be instructed and encouraged to live as witnesses of Christ, with the help of the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts teaches us that the Holy Spirit empowers every believer to fulfill the divine purpose given to us by our holy Father as we operate in the authority of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 17:28 MSG

Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut, they’re smart. (Proverbs 17:28 MSG)