October 2026 (“ Be Witnesses to the World")

Bible Passage: Acts 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.” 

Reflection.

We will recall in the first chapter of The Acts of the Apostles (ACTS), that our Lord Jesus Christ prior to His ascension, presented Himself to the apostles/disciples to teach them further and to show proof that He is alive. On one occasion, He instructed them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that God the Father promised. As in the parallel gospel of Matthew 28:18-20, known as the ‘Great Commission’, Jesus also commanded them to continue to spread the Good News of God’s love not only in Jerusalem but in all Judea/Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

Let us take a look at the key elements of the Reading (Acts 1:8):

·       Divine Empowerment for the mission ahead: "But you will receive power…".

·       Source of gifts and power: "When the Holy Spirit comes upon you".  

·       Purpose of the calling: "And you will be my witnesses".

·       Global Mission: "In Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the

earth".

In summary, we will remember that this commissioning forms the basis for Christian missions, emphasising evangelisation, baptism, and discipleship with the assurance of Christ's constant presence through the Holy Spirit. This pivotal verse mandates a progressive propagation of the Gospel from local to global, empowering believers for service and overcoming geographical, demographical, and ethnic barriers. This also involves recognising it as a divine mandate for every Christian, not just missionaries or the religious, to actively and continually spread the good news extending beyond a single church or nation encompassing the whole world.  By the virtue of our baptism, we are to be priest, prophet and king to the people around us. The purpose of the power is to testify about Jesus.

Discussion Starters.

1.     How committed am I on this evangelisation mandate and how convicted am I on the power of the Holy Spirit and the charismatic gifts?

2.     Am I focused on building God's Kingdom or just my community/church's kingdom?

3.     How can I better support those who go or are willing to go on mission to proclaim God’s love to those who have not known Him locally or around Australia?