The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 1:8

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Witnessing for Christ.

"Ye shall be my witnesses."

I. The world through its whole extent NEEDS SUCH A TESTIMONY. The facts which can be testified without the power of God's Spirit cannot speak the whole of the Father's mind concerning man.

II. WITNESSING FOR CHRIST THE MISSION OF ALL CHRISTIANS. Apostles only first because nearest to Jesus himself; chosen by him, not because above others in merits. Witnessing must be as universal in the character and life as the work of the Spirit. All speaks of the same Divine fountain from which all flows. The hope of the Church and of the world is in the waking up of the witnessing spirit. "Martyrs" we should all be in heart, if not in suffering. "Apostolic" in the best sense—"sent out."

III. OUR LIFE-WORK SHOULD BE THE OUTCOME OF DIVINE GRACE. "Ye shall receive power." "The Holy Ghost shall come upon you;" then, being so endued from on high, "ye shall be my witnesses." Spiritual life the foundation of all other life. We should be able to know that the time is come for great work, for we should be conscious of the gifts of God. By no mere conventional forms let us be led away. "Power" the great want of the Church—spiritual power; not wealth, or organization, or external attractions, but that which "comes upon us" from above. Are we working without it? Is our witnessing unto condemnation?—R.

More for Acts 1:8

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 1:1-26EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 1:1-8Christ's mission and ours. The introduction to this narrative of" the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" suggests to us truths concerning the mission of our Divine Lord and also concerning our own. I. THE MISSION…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 1:1-11The recapitulation. St. Luke is like a traveler, who, having gained a certain summit, before he proceeds on his journey through the new country which is opening upon his view, stops and looks back upon the scene which h…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Acts 1:6-11They were earnest in asking about that which their Master never had directed or encouraged them to seek. Our Lord knew that his ascension and the teaching of the Holy Spirit would soon end these expectations, and theref…Matthew Henry commentaryChrist's Address to His Apostles; Christ's Ascension into HeavenCHRIST'S ADDRESS TO HIS APOSTLES; CHRIST'S ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. In Jerusalem Christ, by his angel, had appointed his disciples to meet him in Galilee; there he appointed them to meet him in Jerusalem again, such a day…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 1:6-8Last words. I. WISTFULNESS ABOUT THE FUTURE. A curiosity mingled of fear and hope stirs in the disciples minds. The present oppresses; we seek escape into dreams of a happy past or future. There is an clement of truth a…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 1:6-8Craving for forbidden knowledge—its alterative, enlarged, practical trust. "They asked of him saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time … the earth?" The question of the apostles of which St. Luke here tells us we do not fin…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 1:6-11The Ascension. Heaven and earth visibly united. Chief points— I. THE CONTRAST between the earthly, as represented in the disciples, with their Jewish prejudice and thought of "times and seasons," and the heavenly, in th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors