Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this community
The render of the famous 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.
Today my pastor gave me an interesting idea that, it seems to be more of a command than a promise. What is the original intention of this verse?
Grammatically, there are two statements here:
Note the lack of imperative verbs that (grammatically speaking) would be required to create a command as is the case in a passage like Matt 28:19. Thus, the passage simple says the Holy Spirit will impart power (more correctly, ability) and then witnessing will follow.
Actually it is not a command. Looking at the Bible context, Acts 1:8, It is written ye SHALL receive power. It is an assurance something that will surely happen. that means, the provision has been made already, waiting for an appointed time to manifest. so it's waiting till the holy gust coms Just like what God said in Acts 2:17. in the last day, that he will pour out his spirit on all people, that your son's and daughters, shall prophecy and the young men shall see visions and the old men, shall dream dream. So the Manifestation of that divine assurance, is waiting till the last days.
