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1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Perhaps the most critical person on the baseball team is the catcher. When I watch a game I find myself drawn to his calls of defensive positions, pitches, and posture. He truly is the commander on the field. He is more appropriately called by the baseball community, a “receiver”. This is because how we receives the ball often influences the call more than just it landing in his mit. His position, movement, and command can dictate the flow of the game. In Acts, we are challenged and commanded to be a “receiver”.

To receive anything requires intent of the giver and taking by the receiver. Jesus promised that power would be given and should be received. His intent is not to bless us, but to redeem the world. We are told to receive diving power, which is from the word, dynamis. This word is the same one used to describe the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels. The power of the Spirit that healed the sick is the same Spirit that lives in us. Be careful that this power doesn’t move you to ego.

The second part of the command and promise of Acts 1:8 is that you will receive power and that you will be a witness to the ends of the Earth. By definition, a witness declares what they have seen others do. Our mission is to walk in the power of the Spirit in order to proclaim the message of Jesus to the world.

Like the catcher, our position, movement, and command can often dictate the flow of the game. When we deflect any praise to Him, and when we walk according to the rhythm of the Spirit we then begin to move into the flow of His game and not ours. 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ac 1:8). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.