Receive the Holy Spirit

 

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:1-8 ESV).

 

On the first Easter Sunday evening, Jesus gave his disciples not only words of purpose (cf. John 20:21). He also gave them words indicating that he would provide for them. He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” To fulfill their purpose of carrying on his mission in the world, his followers would need the provision of the Holy Spirit. On our own, we don’t have what it takes to seek and save the lost. If we’re going to be Jesus’ witnesses throughout the world, we need the power of the Holy Spirit!

 

When Jesus invited his disciples to receive his Spirit on Easter evening, it was just a foretaste of what would happen a few weeks later. Jesus would tell the disciples to wait in Jerusalem till they received the special gift promised them by God. And when that day arrived, they would be filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

After the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost (fifty days after Passover), the disciples were never the same again (Acts 2:1-4). They taught and served with a new power that was irresistible. In fact, “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

 

That same provision of power is available to us as we trust in Christ and remain in his love (cf. John 15:5, 9-10). We will see more detail of what this power looks like in the coming days. Today, rejoice that you are not left powerless… you have the Holy Spirit and all that is necessary to do the work you are called to do in our world!