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The Holy Ghost, the Promise of the Father Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. After the Lord’s ascension the disciples returned to Jerusalem and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God (Luke 24:52-53). They also stayed together in an upper room in prayer and supplication waiting for an endowment of power that would enable them to be powerful witnesses of the risen Christ (Acts 1:8, 12, 14). Ten days after the Lord’s ascension was the feast of Pentecost, when suddenly something happened. Jesus kept His promise and filled them with His Spirit in a spectacular fashion. The one hundred and twenty disciples began to speak in unknown tongues (Acts 2:1-14). Faithful Jews had traveled from many nations to be at this feast These devout men couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Some thought the disciples were drunk, but other said that they were hearing these unlearned men speaking the wonderful works of God in their own native language. What in the world is going on? Peter stood up and boldly proclaimed the risen Christ to this crowd. They were pricked in their hearts and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter answered and commanded repentance and baptism for the remission of sins in the name of Jesus with the promise that those who did so would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Three thousands souls were added to the church that day (Acts 2:37-41). God promised the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: In Joel 2:28 He said He would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. Peter quoted this at Pentecost as the others were speaking in unknown tongues (See also Proverbs 1:23; Isaiah 32:15, 44:3, Ezekiel 11;19, 26:36, 39:29). Jesus spoke often of the Spirit in the New Testament: He promised living water to the woman at the well in Samaria. She would never thirst again. The Spirit would be a well of water springing up to everlasting life (John 4:13). He promised rivers of living water proceeding from anyone who believed on Him (John 7:38-39). He promised that the disciples would have powerful words of utterance when called before magistrates and rulers to give an answer of their new way of believing. They would not answer in their own words, but the Holy Ghost would speak through them (Matthew 10:20; Luke 12:12). The Spirit is a gift which the Father desires to freely give us (Luke 11:13). The Spirit is our teacher and brings all of Christ’s commandments to our remembrance. It is also the gift of peace (John 14:26-27). The Spirit is Christ Himself within us (II Corinthians 3:17; Colossians 1:27; John 14:18, 27). The Spirit will always exalt the risen Christ (John 16;13-15). The Spirit will exercise judgment and reprove the world of sin and righteousness ( John 16:8-12). There is a lot of confusion concerning the baptism of the Holy Ghost in Christian ranks today. Some say the Spirit comes when you believe, some say the Spirit comes when you are baptized and many consider speaking in tongues as gibberish and utter foolishness. Lets look at some examples in the book of Acts. At Samaria: The people responded to the preaching of Phillip and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. However the Holy Ghost did not come to them, until Peter and John came from Jerusalem and laid their hands on them . This definitely shows that the baptism of the spirit is subsequent to believing and water baptism (Acts 8:16). At the household of Cornelius: Peter was sent by the Spirit to the household of Cornelius, who was a just man and who gave many alms and prayed often. He was a good man but he needed something more. Peter was told to tell Cornelius what he needed to do (Acts 10:6). Peter preached the crucified and risen Christ to them (Acts 10:34-43). Cornelius and his group came to faith and belief in the risen Christ while Peter was still speaking. This was confirmed by the Holy Ghost who fell on them before Peter finished. The Spirit fell on them in the same manner as on the day of Pentecost. They all began to speak in other tongues. Peter had no other choice but to baptize them all in the name of the Lord (Acts 44-48). Paul and the Ephesian brethren: Paul came to Ephesians and poised this question to them, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? They were John’s disciples who had not even heard of the Holy Ghost. Paul preached Jesus and then baptized then in the name of Jesus. The Holy Ghost did not come upon them at their baptism, but did come after the laying on of hands by Paul. The men spoke in tongues and prophesied. Some will say, “That’s all well and good but it’s not for you today. However Peter said,” For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call (Acts 2:39). So, have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? If not, you can have the same experience that they had at the day of Pentecost. It’s your’s for the asking. "No," said the doctor calmly,\"He'll be quiet when he gets to the poisons." Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@about-him.com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe@about-him.com
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