What Does Acts 1:8 Mean?
Acts 1:8 meaning explained verse-by-verse: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both..." Original language, context & application.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
— Acts 1:8 (KJV)
The Plain Meaning
Jesus promised His disciples power through the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses. The mission expands from local (Jerusalem) to global (uttermost part of the earth).
Word Study
'Dynamis' means power, might, or ability—the root of 'dynamic' and 'dynamite.' This isn't human willpower or organizational strength but supernatural enabling by the Holy Spirit. The power is for witness ('martyres'—the root of 'martyr'), implying testimony that may cost everything.
Living It Out
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to witness for Christ. Your mission field starts where you are and extends as far as God leads you.
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