The Promise (2)

The Promise

The Promise

Carl Schwegel / General

The Promise

Acts 1:8 NKJV

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This is our Lord Jesus Christ telling His Apostles what they needed to do. This took place sometime during the 40 days after Jesus’ death on the cross and His ascension to Heaven. This was also a directive for God’s chosen people, the Jews. So, if you’re not Jewish, does this make you feel a little left out?

Let’s take a look at a few other passages in scripture.

Isaiah 49:6 NKJV

Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

An assurance that we are not left out.

Before we look at other passages, let’s take a closer look at

Isaiah 49:6. “He”- The Lord, “You” – Jesus, “preserved ones of Israel” – Jews, “You” – Jesus, “Gentiles” – us, everyone else, “You”- Jesus and “My” – The Lord.

I want you to look at another passage.

Acts 22:10 NKJV

So, I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’

Take a look at what words are capitalized in each verse and which ones are not.

Depending on which version of scripture you use and the interpretation of the original writings in the different versions is how we see certain words and how they are used. Capitalized or not and whether they are there or not.

The “Promise” as this message is titled, will give you insight into things such as this. How do I know that with all certainty? Because Jesus said so in His word and His word is Truth.

Acts 13:46–47 NKJV

Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

Doesn’t that sound familiar? Paul understood this scripture very well. There is only 2 small differences in these 2 verses.

‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles,

That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’ ”

Ephesians 3:1–7 NKJV

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

• dispensation - stewardship of Gospel

So I ask each and every one of you today. Do you see the words of God? Do you understand the words of God? Is this a lot to take in?

So here it is folks. “The Promise.”

Acts 1:8 NKJV

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

What is this “power” and how do we get it?

It is Jesus! He is the Beginning; He is the End and He is everything in between! He is my “All in All.” Is He yours?

He came to this earth, His creation. He came in body so that we may understand. He said to us that there is more! There is more than what you see. There is more than what you know. He says “Believe in Me!” Believe He came, Believe He died and rose again on the 3rd day. Believe He concord death and He is here for you. Believe and you to will receive “The Promise.” The “Promise” is His Holy Spirit. The “power” is understanding. The “power” is wisdom. The” power” is truth, teaching, learning, and so much more. As Jesus says in

Matthew 17:20 NKJV

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Jesus made this “Promise” and all you have to do is believe and have faith in Him.

Jesus used the “mustard seed” as an example because it’s so small and it grows very large. This small and genuine amount of faith can truly do the seemingly impossible tasks. As the seed grows so should our faith.

As we grow in our faith and our trust in Him, things start to become more and more clear. His word, His voice and His thoughts.

Getting back to our focus verse;

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

The word power here as taken from Albert Barnes in his commentary called Notes of the “New Testament” refers to the help or aid which the Holy Spirit would grant; the power of speaking in a new way or with new tongues; the power of preaching the gospel with great effect; the power of enduring great trials and in Jesus’ own words in Mark 16: 15 -18

The New King James Version Chapter 16

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

If you truly believe in Jesus Christ and the work of the Cross then you to have received the “Promise.” With the tiny amount of faith found in Matthew 17:20. You too can go with what you know.

The power of the Holy Spirit will guide you. He will guide your words and your deeds. All you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ and put your trust and faith in Him.

Maybe there are some of you that haven't put your trust in Jesus or maybe there are some that are just not sure if you have received His “promise.” I make myself available to you if you would like to pray together or just talk. I will give you my phone number if you would like to talk at a later time. If you don’t feel comfortable talking or praying with me, then there are others that are willing to do so.

This is an urgent message I must say to you; Believe in Jesus Christ and you to will be saved!

Amen