Acts 1:4-8
Key Verse 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."

Acts records the work of the Holy Spirit by the Apostles. Through this passage, we want to think about how UBF received the Holy Spirit and grew. We also want to find a spiritual direction for this conference.

Jesus died on the cross to redeem all men from their sin, and rose again in three days. After his resurrection, Jesus held a Galilee disciples' conference for forty days. The theme of the conference was the Kingdom of God, that is, "Your Kingdom Come!"

Look at verses 4-5. "On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." In verses 4-5, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to his disciples. In Christian history, this promise was a very important event. This promise was the final direction of the Galilee disciples' conference.

What then did the disciples have to do in order to receive the Holy Spirit? First, Jesus commanded them not to leave Jerusalem. (4a) Jerusalem was a dangerous place where Jesus had died. After Jesus' death, the disciples must have wanted to leave Jerusalem, the dangerous city, as soon as possible. But Jesus commanded them not to leave but stay there. They obeyed Jesus' word and remained in Jerusalem, their mission field.

Second, Jesus commanded them to wait for the Holy Spirit. (4b) To obey Jesus' word, about a hundred and twenty gathered together at the upper room of Mark's house in Jerusalem. (15) They did not wait, watching TV, playing video games or card games or basketball or football games. What did they do? Look at verse 14. "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." They all joined together constantly in prayer. This means that they prayed in one mind and heart. Of course, while they were praying, they must have repented all their sins before God. They repented that they had argued with one another to be called the greatest. They repented that they had just s lept w hile Jesus was praying hard at the Garden of Gethsemane. They repented that they had fled when Jesus was arrested and tried. In particular, Peter repented shedding many tears that he disowned Jesus three times. For about ten days, they repented all their sins and prayed earnestly for the Holy Spirit. (14) As a result, they received the Spirit in full at Pentecost. (2:1) Like the disciples, we must pray that during this conference the Holy Spirit may come on the speakers and each of the attendants. I pray that each of us may repent our past mistakes and sins, and pray together in one mind and heart.

Look at verse 6. "So when they met together, they asked him, `Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"' The disciples thought that finally the time came to liberate Israel from Roman occupation and establish her a s the messianic kingdom t o be like the kingdom o f David. But Jesus told them that the restoration of Israel was up to God's sovereignty and it was not for them to know the times or dates. (7)

What then did Jesus tell them to do as the most urgent task? First, they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them. (8a) Look at verse 8a.. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;" At that time, Jesus' disciples had not been properly schooled. The top disciple Peter had been a fisherman. None of them could speak foreign languages. They were all weak and fearful. Jesus hoped to evangelize Israel and the world through them. In order to carry out this task, they had to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit came on them (2:1), the disciples were able to speak foreign languages fluently. (2:4) When Peter, who had disowned Jesus before a servant girl, received the Holy Spirit, he was changed into a bold servant of God's word. When Peter boldly preached the gospel, three thousand, and five thousand repented and believed in Jesus. (2:41) Not only Peter but also all other apostles became powerful servants of God's word and bold witnesses of Jesus.

When the Holy Spirit came on them, they were filled with the fruit of the Spirit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal 5:22,23) "Every day they continued t o meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (Ac 2:46,47)

Second, when the Holy Spirit came on them, they became Jesus' witnesses to the ends of the earth. Look at verse 8b. "and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When they received the power of the Holy Spirit, they preached Jesus' gospel in Jerusalem (ch 3-7), and in all Judea and Samaria (ch8), and to the ends of the earth. (ch 9-28)

In 1961 Dr. Samuel Lee and Mother Barry prayed in one heart for Korean students who were in darkness and despair. Then they received the power of the Holy Spirit. As a result, the gospel was preached through UBF to South Korea, U.S.A., Europe, Asia, CIS, Latin America, Africa and Oceania. Like the disciples of the early church, we must receive the power of the Holy Spirit and serve world campus disciple making ministry.

At this conference, we want to study the gospel and be clothed with world mission vision. Let us pray so that God's kingdom may come on earth. Let us pray that God may give the Holy Spirit and the power of his word to the speakers of this conference and to all attendants.