Acts 1: You Will Be My Witnesses

Scripture 

Acts 1:1–11 (NIV)

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.”

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Scripture Reflection

After the resurrection, Jesus spent forty days teaching His disciples about the kingdom of God, preparing them for their mission. At His ascension, He left them with a powerful promise and a clear purpose: they would receive the Holy Spirit, and they would be His witnesses — starting where they were, moving outward, and reaching the ends of the earth.

This moment is a hinge in the biblical story: the baton is passed from Jesus’ earthly ministry to the Spirit-empowered mission of the church. Their mission was bold and costly, but it was anchored in His authority and fueled by His Spirit.

For those longing for revival in New England, this passage is an urgent commissioning. Jesus still calls His people to bear witness — to speak, live, and demonstrate the gospel. And He still promises the same Spirit to empower that witness. As we wait and pray, we do so with confidence that God intends to move through us for His glory.

Praying it UP / IN / OUT

UP: Worship Jesus as the ascended King who reigns over all and promises the gift of the Holy Spirit. Praise Him for entrusting His mission to the church.

IN: Ask God to fill you afresh with the Holy Spirit. Pray for courage, clarity, and love to be a faithful witness in your own spheres of influence.

OUT: Intercede for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the churches of New England, equipping believers to boldly witness to Jesus from their neighborhoods to the nations. Pray for the harvest to come in power.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You are the risen and ascended King. Thank You for entrusting us with Your mission and for promising us Your Holy Spirit to accomplish it.

Fill us afresh with Your power. Give us courage to be Your witnesses, to speak Your truth, and to live as signs of Your kingdom wherever we go.

We pray for New England — that You would pour out Your Spirit in a fresh Pentecost, igniting hearts with Your love and raising up bold witnesses in every city, town, and village.

Amen.