The last thing the Lord Jesus did before ascending to the heavens was to teach about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). His disciples apparently thought that he would physically remain with them, setting up his throne in Jerusalem until all nations acknowledged his glory (Hab. 2:14). But Jesus had another plan for extending his saving rule: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Thus begins the birth of the church that Jesus promised would prevail against the gates of Hell (Matt. 16:18). For it is by the Spirit-empowered church that the nations will be baptized into Christendom (Matt. 28:19), as God’s kingdom comes and his will is done “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).⁠