Power

 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 NIV

Many people claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Yet of those, I would suggest that not all are faithful witnesses of Jesus. We weren't saved to confine ourselves to a 'holy huddle'.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit doesn't simply mean we'll have a nice feeling. He empowers us to make Christ known, even in the face of persecution. Most of Jesus's closest followers were martyred for their faith in Him.

This verse was largely fulfilled by God's people being persecuted out of their comfort zones. Having fled Jerusalem, many of them then spread the gospel to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the world. To be honest 'the ends of the world' is still being fulfilled.

There are still corners of the world where people haven't even heard of the Lord Jesus Christ. I even heard that more people have tasted Coca Cola than have even heard of Jesus. If that's true, then shame on us His people for not being more zealous in making Him known.

'Heavenly Father, please fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we can be faithful witnesses of Your Son, in whose name we pray, amen'

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