"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)
John Gill (1697-1771) comments:
both in Jerusalem,
the "metropolis" of the nation, and there, in the first place, where such dwelt who had been concerned in the crucifixion of Christ, many of whom were to be called by grace, and converted through their ministry:
and in all Judea;
that part of the land of Israel which was distinct from Samaria and Galilee, and from beyond Jordan; where churches were to be planted
and in Samaria;
where Christ had before forbid his disciples to go; but now their commission is enlarged, and they are sent there;
and unto the uttermost part of the earth;
throughout the whole world, whither the sound of the apostles, and their words went
Acts 1:8 contains the mission (be witnesses), the concept of the operation (Jerusalem, Jedea, Samaria, the ends of the earth) and the 'firepower' (the Holy Spirit) of the church. Jesus spoke those words to His followers after His resurrection, just prior to His final ascension into Heaven and before the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. Jesus spoke those words in response to a question concerning the restoration of the physical kingdom of Israel, which was the expectation of the disciples.
There is no record of further conversation on the matter, the next verses just tell of Jesus being taken away before their very eyes. One can only imagine the conversation they might have had between themselves! Nevertheless, the plan was out there.
Jerusalem was first - the immediate 'area of influence' because that's where it all started, where they received their ammunition for the mission (the power of the Holy Spirit). From there, the witness would spread to other parts of Israel, into areas previously off limits, and finally cover the planet.
While we might normally think of this concept in terms of church organizations, It's not very difficult to apply it to our individual lives and define a concept of operation for personal ministry. Here's how an old soldier sees it.
Jerusalem is my immediate area of influence and means immediate family with whom I live - wife, children, parents, brothers, sisters, whoever it might be - my household. It also means others close to me with whom I associate on a daily basis. That could be on the job (squad, section, office, ship, home fellowship/small group), in school, on the street where I live, in the chapel where I serve.
Judea for the early disciples was outside Jerusalem but part of their native nation of Israel. As a member of CMF and Local Representative supporting indigenous military ministry, it's the larger territory of Colorado Springs; including the Ft. Carson chapels where I visit but not serve on a regular basis; military units on Ft. Carson where I can connect with soldiers to support growing military Christians and spread the Gospel to true seekers; local churches where military families attend; and wherever I set foot on my travels through the Colorado Springs area.
Samaria, initially an off-limits area but permitted for travel to Holy Spirit empowered followers after Pentecost means wherever the Holy Spirit directs me to travel and especially signifies places where I may even be disliked or hated. There were some' issues' between Jews and Samaritans. Samaria involves the presence of B4B and could even include other 'Christian' areas where I might be unwelcome for some reason. An example might even be a local church or fellowship where 'outsiders' like parachurch ministry representatives are seen as intruders who want to 'fix' things instead of partners in the Gospel.
The 'uttermost part' is much bigger than B4B, for sure! It could mean the worldwide ministry of CMF. It could also mean an old soldier's impact on a life now that reaches across time zones and generations. For a military person who travels the world, it could mean all the assignments that span a career.
That's my take on it. My challenge to you, the reader, is to understand and personalize the mission and concept of operation Jesus first gave his disciples and meant for the church and all believers in it, to be put into practice until he restores His Kingdom in all it's glory!
Will you be part of the most important mission in the world?
B4B