Witness to all the World
JENNA RHODES
BIBL 364 -B10
DR. JOHN D TALLEY III
Acts 1:8 says “But you will receive the 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.” This one line of scripture sets up the entire book of Acts into a Geographical theme. First
the disciples are to witness in Jerusalem after the Holy Spirit descended upon them.1 They were
to stay and work on spreading the good news of the Gospel before leaving Jerusalem. There
were many people in Jerusalem that came for many different nations. When the Holy Spirt
descended upon the disciples at Pentecost, each disciple started speaking in the different
languages represented by the people visiting Jerusalem. Jesus was very clear in Acts 1:8 that
they needed to wait for the Holy Spirit to empower them before they were to undertake their
commission.2 Because they waited, they were able to spread the Gospel to many nations just by
speaking in those different languages. While the disciples themselves didn’t leave Jerusalem,
the Good News of Jesus did leave by way of these God-fearing Jews from every nation under
Heaven. (Acts 2:5) Throughout the rest of this section in Acts, there are several accounts of the
Apostles healing the sick. Because they did this, many people accept Jesus as their Savior.
One major theme of the Book of Acts is prayer. Whenever there is prayer, it indicates
that something really big is about to happen.3 In the first chapter of Acts, the disciples go up to
the upper room where “they joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and
Mary the mother Jesus, and with his brothers” (Acts 1:14). In Chapter 2 we see the newly
1 Dockery, D. S. (1998). Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: The Holman Concise Bible Commentary. p
499
2 Ibid
3 Fowler, Don Presentation: Unity, Disunity, and Opposition/Death. Liberty University. 2014
baptized followers devoting all their time to being with the Apostles so that they could learn,
have fellowship and pray. (Acts 2:3) In Chapter 3 we read that “Peter and John were going up to
the temple at the time of prayer.” (Acts 3:1) Before they reach the temple, Peter heals the
crippled man at the gate. After Peter and John were released from prison in Chapter 4 verse 23
and 24, their people all began to pray together for boldness in their witnessing to other people
in Jerusalem. Another key theme in the Book of Acts is the willingness to suffer for the Glory of
God. In Acts Chapter 4, both Peter and John are questioned by the law and put in jail. In Acts
Chapter 5 The Apostles were persecuted by the Sadducees. They were put in jail and then
flogged. After they were released the apostles rejoiced. They were more concerned about being
faithful in Jesus’ name then looking respectable. In Acts chapter 8 we read that Stephen is
stoned to death because of his faith. Stephen was a deacon, not an apostle. He is the church’s
first martyr and his death resulted in the gospel being spread outside Jerusalem. 4 All of the
characters are willing to suffer and die if it means the Kingdom of God is glorified.5
Peter has core beliefs that shows within all 4 of his Sermons in the Book of Acts. Peter
starts out with Old Testament prophecies and educates the people in how Jesus fulfills them. He
also tells the people that they are to blame for Jesus’ death. However, Peter tells them that God
raised Jesus from the dead and is sitting at the right hand of the Father and if you repent and
get baptized, the Holy Spirit will descend when you ask for forgiveness.6 He also makes it clear
that Jesus is the only name where salvation can be found.
4 Ger, Steven. The Book of Acts. Clifton, TX: Scofield Ministries. 2004 p109
5 Fowler, Don Presentation: Unity, Disunity, and Opposition/Death. Liberty University. 2014
6 Dockery, p502
There are two themes within Stephen’s Speech that was give in Acts chapter 7. The first
theme is that Israel was rejecting its leaders, just as it always has. “You stiff-necked people, with
uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your father: You always resist the Holy Spirit!”
(Acts 7:51) Stephen tells of each leader that God had chosen and how they continuously
rejected them.7 The second theme in his Sermon is that God cannot be confined by location,
whether it’s within a tent or tabernacle or on a particular piece of land. Stephen was critiquing
the authorities on how they consistently put God in a Temple.8 “However, the Most High does
not live in houses made by men.” (Acts 7:48) He starts with Abraham and goes through all the
prophets telling them how narrow-minded they were. Stephen’s speech and death fall directly
in line with the theme of suffering. All of the people in the Book of Acts were willing to suffer
and die for God. Stephen was a deacon, and a devoted follower of Christ. His death was the
catalyst for spreading the Gospel into many nations.
7 Dockery p508
8 Ibid
Bibliography
Dockery, D. S. (1998). Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: The Holman Concise Bible
Commentary.
Fowler, Don Presentation: Unity, Disunity, and Opposition/Death. Liberty University. 2014
Ger, Steven. The Book of Acts. Clifton, TX: Scofield Ministries. 2004
NIV The Quest Study Bible. (2003). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.
