God planned to give the Twelve Apostles miracle-working power through the Holy Spirit so they could continue Jesus' earthly ministry.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus promised the apostles that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost. Les Feldick explains that this was not merely inner strength; it was the power to perform miracles, signs, and wonders just as Jesus had done during His three years of earthly ministry. Its purpose was to convince the nation of Israel that Jesus was the Messiah and that the promised Kingdom was still in view.
Acts 1:8 — Jesus directly promised the apostles that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them — the verse Les consistently turns to in the clips.
The Bible records Jesus' promise to the apostles just before His ascension: "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). This verse places the promised power in the coming of the Holy Spirit. Later, in the first days of the Jerusalem church, Acts 2:43 says, "And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles" (KJV), showing that the promised power was expressed through spectacular works. Scripture itself does not use the phrase "miracle-working power" in Acts 1:8, but the wonders-and-signs work of the apostles is explicitly recorded.
Les Feldick teaches that the power promised in Acts 1:8 was miracle-working power — the same kind of power that had characterized Jesus' three years of earthly ministry. He repeatedly says the Twelve were to be "an extension of Christ's earthly ministry" and were to "continue on with signs and wonders" that Jesus had performed. That power would come when the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, and it would place Jewish believers "into the very power of the Holy Spirit" (Clips 1, 3, 4). According to Les, this power was not aimed at the whole world. It was given to believing Jews to convince the nation of Israel that Jesus was who He said He was, so that Israel could still enter the promised Kingdom. Jesus had already promised the Twelve that they would rule the twelve tribes of Israel from Jerusalem when the Kingdom was set up, so the miracle-working power was meant to carry on the same confirming ministry until that Kingdom came (Clips 5, 7).
Jesus told the apostles in Acts 1:8 that they would "receive power" after the Holy Spirit came upon them. Les Feldick identifies that power as "miracle working power" — the ability to perform the same signs, miracles, and wonders that had marked Jesus' three years of earthly ministry. He says the apostles were to be "an extension of Christ's earthly ministry," and he points to Acts 2:43 and the healing of the lame man in Acts 3 as examples of that power in action (Clips 3, 4, 7).
According to Les, the reason for the promised power was Israel. The signs and miracles in Jesus' own ministry were mainly to prove to the nation of Israel that He was the Messiah, and the apostles were to continue that same confirming work. They were dealing with "the same people" — the nation of Israel — and were trying to convince them that Jesus was who He said He was and that He would still fulfill His promises (Clips 3, 6).
Les emphasizes that the power arrived at Pentecost, a Jewish feast day when the nation of Israel was gathered in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit came down "with power," and Jewish believers were placed "into the very power of the Holy Spirit." Jesus had told the Twelve that the Holy Spirit would not come until He had left, and Acts 1:8 promised that after the Spirit came they would receive power (Clips 1, 2, 7).
Yes. Les shows that the apostles were still looking for the Kingdom. Jesus had promised the Twelve that they would rule the twelve tribes of Israel from Jerusalem when the Kingdom was set up and the earth was regenerated. In the meantime, they were to carry on Christ's ministry with miraculous power, meeting at the Temple and keeping their message focused on the nation of Israel (Clips 3, 5).
Why the 12 Disciples Never Preached to Gentiles — Acts 1:8
1, and this is the portion that Jesus looked for until He found it, and then He read it, and it's word for word, remember. So I'm not going to take the time to re-read verse 1, but just come down to verse 2, "...to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the deliverance of the poor, and the death Now read on in Isaiah, "...
Power at Pentecost
Les teaches that the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost to give Jewish believers the same miracle-working power Jesus had, so they could immediately continue His ministry of miracles, signs, and wonders.
Acts 1:8 Promises Power
Les explains that the 'power' Jesus promised in Acts 1:8 was the Holy Spirit's coming at Pentecost to enable Jewish believers to continue the signs and miracles Christ had performed for three years.
Miracle-Working Power for Israel
Les says plainly that the apostles were promised 'miracle working power' so they could be an extension of Christ's earthly ministry, performing signs and wonders to convince the nation of Israel that Jesus was the Messiah.
Wonders and Signs by the Apostles
Les uses Acts 2:43 to show that the promised power was expressed as wonders and signs done by the apostles, exactly continuing what Jesus had done while He was with them.
Kingdom Expectations
Les reminds readers that Jesus had promised the Twelve they would rule the twelve tribes of Israel from Jerusalem when the Kingdom was set up, giving context for why their power was tied to Israel.
The Confirming Purpose of Miracles
Les says the main thrust of Jesus' signs and miracles was to prove to Israel that He was the Messiah, which is why the apostles received the same power for the same purpose.
Continuing Christ's Works
Les connects Acts 1:8 to Peter healing the lame man in Acts 3, saying the power was to do what Christ had been doing — confirming His identity through supernatural works.
Acts 1:8: 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.
This is the promise Les repeatedly cites for the power given to the Twelve.
Acts 2:43: And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
This verse records the outward evidence of that promised power in the early Jerusalem church.
Acts 3:6: Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Peter's healing of the lame man shows the apostles exercising the miracle-working power they had been promised.
Miracle-working power through the Holy Spirit. Les Feldick says it was the power to continue the same signs, wonders, and miracles Jesus performed, enabling the apostles to be an extension of His earthly ministry.
To convince the nation of Israel that Jesus was the Messiah and would still fulfill His promises. They were dealing with the same people Jesus had dealt with and were trying to bring Israel to faith in her rejected Messiah.
Yes. Jesus had promised the Twelve they would rule the twelve tribes of Israel when the Kingdom was set up. The power was given in the interim to continue Christ's confirming ministry until that Kingdom could become a reality.
Watch the Teaching: Why the 12 Disciples Never Preached to Gentiles — Acts 1:8