This post is a continuation of Acts 1:8 Now, a Bible study for missional living.

“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.”    Acts 1:8

Lesson One: First Things First
Jesus’ words found in Acts 1:8 constitute one of the most profound utterances of our Savior. These final words of Jesus shaped the DNA of the first church like few other statements.  If we think the words were important 2000 years ago, those same words should be no less powerful today.

Unfortunately, the status quo teaching and preaching regarding Acts 1:8 reflects an exegesis that neglects truth for the sake of convenient hyperbole.

Second only to Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8 is one of the most widely used “mission sermon” texts.

When you read this passage, what are the first words that jump off the page at you? __________  ____________ ______________  _____________ ______________

Describe below the first thought that comes to mind when you hear the following three Acts 1:8 expressions. (There are no wrong answers.)

Jerusalem –

Judea & Samaria –

Ends of the Earth –

As a rule, we describe these three or four locations in terms of proximity to me.

Jerusalem –  My hometown or closest family and friends (near me).

Judea & Samaria – Beyond my hometown (outside my home town).
Ends of the Earth – Far away from my hometown (outside of my nation).

There’s a basic factual-geographic issue that turns this analogy on its head.

Jesus, who spoke these words, would never have considered Jerusalem his hometown. Witnessing in your hometown is the right thing to do, however, that was not Jesus’ point in Acts 1:8.

Looking through the same old lens
Since we are trying to look at this passage through a new lens, we need to remind ourselves of the previous manner in which we have viewed this scripture.

The following are three common ways in which we have approached Acts 1:8.

Stay in Jerusalem unless God specifically tells you to go.  Acts 1:8 is more about verse 4 than about verse 8. The point is to wait.  Simply wait and do nothing else until God tells you what to do. Only those with an extraordinary call have a responsibility for ministry beyond my friends, family and my hometown.

Prioritize my hometown – God cares more about my hometown than the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 means we are to first complete the work in my hometown; second we are to consider working beyond my hometown but within my nation. Finally at some later point in time we are to hire professional missionaries, send them and pray for them as they go internationally.

Number one (above) focuses upon staying and waiting. The focus of number two (above) is on the sequence and priority for geographical distribution of the gospel – first witness to my city, then witness to my state and my nation, and when you have reached your city and your state and your nation, only then consider getting involved in witnessing internationally.  Both of the above interpretations focus on geography – the location of service.

God commands His followers to go as His witnesses near, far, and farther. Acts 1:8 commands all of God’s people to mission work in the following three locations:

in my hometown,

within my nation,

and throughout the world.

Each of these understandings in isolation falls short of the primary teaching of Acts 1:8.

What then is the main point of Acts 1:8?
Is it primarily about the geographic location of Christian missions activity?

Is Acts 1:8 a command or is the verb tense a foretelling of what God will do through His people? Since Jerusalem was NOT Jesus’ home town, why do we assume that Jesus’ reference to Jerusalem is a command for us to be a witness in “my home town?” These are just a few of the questions that must be asked. Examine this passage from a First Century perspective –THEN- in order to understand how it relates to us NOW.

More about Acts 1:8: Then and Now  on the next post…