October 4
The Call
to Witness
Acts 1:8
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.
Daily Steps
Following the final instruction on the message of mission (Day 278), this verse defines the role of the believer and the power that enables them to fulfill the Great Commission. The primary function of the Church is to be a witness, enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The peace in this principle is found in supernatural enablement:
The Source of Power: The mission is impossible in human strength, but guaranteed by divine strength: you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. This promise of supernatural enablement (The Helper, Day 213) confirms that the same Authority (Day 273) that Christ holds is channeled through the Holy Spirit (Day 268) to the believer.
The Role: Witness: The core identity of the Christian in the world is to be Christ's witnesses. A witness is simply someone who reports what they have personally seen, heard, and experienced. Our mission is to share the Foundation of the Gospel (Day 277)—the truth of Christ’s death and resurrection—from our own life experience (The Secret of Friendship, Day 232).
The Scope: Global Expansion: The geographical scope, leading to the ends of the earth, is achieved through deliberate expansion: in Jerusalem (our immediate sphere), and in all Judea and Samaria (our surrounding area and rivals), and finally, to the ends of the earth (The Scope of the Command, Day 274). This shows that the mission starts locally but must flow globally.
Your peace is secured by supernatural enablement. Embrace your identity as Christ's witness today, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to speak the truth in your Jerusalem and beyond, knowing that God has supplied everything you need for the Call to Mission.
Reflective Question
If you have received power through the Holy Spirit, are you limiting where you are a witness (e.g., only at church, not at work)? Who is one person in your immediate Jerusalem that you can intentionally share your personal witness with today?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my tendency to rely on my own abilities when sharing my faith. I thank You for the promise that I will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on me. I pray for the boldness and clarity to be Your faithful witness to the ends of the earth. Secure my peace today in this supernatural enablement, and use me to tell others what I have personally seen, heard, and experienced. Amen.
