- Pastor Curtis Mohler
- September 22, 2026
- Jesus fulfilled His promise giving us the Holy Spirit, empowering us to be Witnesses, and carrying on His Ministry to the World
- (Acts 1:1-9); Matthew 3:11; Luke 24:47,48, Acts 2:1-6, (11); I John 2:20; 2 Peter 1:3; I Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; I Peter 3:15; Romans 10:14
As Jesus prepared to ascend to Heaven, He gave His apostles final instructions and commandments. Luke recorded these events, playing a key role not only in writing his own works but also in documenting the teachings of the apostle Paul. Addressing “O Theophilus,” believed to be a Gentile Roman official or soldier converted through the earlier Gospel of Luke, Luke continues the story in the Book of Acts. This account focuses on the ministries, miracles, and events that revealed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. Luke’s message is that you can trust the writings about Jesus Christ, who showed Himself alive for forty days with many infallible proofs. Acts 1:1-9.
Jesus told His disciples, as John the Baptist mentioned in Matthew 3:11 that He came not to baptize with water, but with the power of the Holy Spirit and with fire. The Greek word for this power, “dýnamis,” means miraculous force. This power would enable holy living, oppose demonic forces, and most importantly give them—and us—boldness to be witnesses. The Holy Spirit was not given as a gift for self-gratification or to show off, but to proclaim the Gospel. When the Day of Pentecost arrived, the disciples were in the upper room, and the power came like a rushing mighty wind (John 3:8). Tongues of fire rested on the apostles, and they began to speak in other tongues. The Greek word for “tongues” refers to known languages, not unknown ones, and in Acts 2:11, people from all over the world in Jerusalem said, “how can we each hear in our own language, proclaiming the wonderful works of God”—the Gospel!
Jesus’ ministry didn’t end with His ascension; instead, the Gospel is now meant to go to “Jerusalem, Judea, and the uttermost parts of the earth.” This includes reaching family, friends, relatives, underserved communities, different cultures, and people groups—and spreading the message through technology like radio, social media, or by becoming missionaries, evangelists, or sponsoring children through Christian organizations that share the Gospel, offer mentorship, healthcare, and ongoing fellowship through local churches in other countries. The Bible says we are now “priests, kings, and ministers,” called to be a “light” and entrusted with the Gospel of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:14–21), anointed with the same Spirit, lacking nothing, and fully equipped for every good work of ministry (1 John 2:20, 2 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:9).
