The Holy Spirit part II

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The Holy Spirit

 

Part II

 

 

 

          To any Christian who reads the four Gospels, there are a few things we can all agree on; Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, He was betrayed and condemned to die for our sins, He was crucified and died. He was buried and rose on the third day and appeared to over 500 people. When the Disciples encountered the risen Christ, Jesus breathed on them and said “receive the Holy Spirit” (see John 20:21&22).This is the moment they believed, this is the moment of their salvation. When we encounter the resurrected Christ and give our lives to Him, we are saved and we too receive the Holy Spirit. There are many other things that Jesus did, but these are part of the foundation that the Christian Church is built on.

 

In John chapters 14&15, Jesus explained the role of the Holy Spirit. (John 14:12&13). Jesus said “I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world can not receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know him because He abides with you and will be in you. John 14:16&17.

 

In John chapters 14-17, Jesus is in the last week of his earthly life. He spends a great deal of time preparing the Disciples for what’s ahead, His death, burial and resurrection and the fact that he would be taken away from them. He continues to teach them about the Holy Spirit and His role in their life to comfort, teach, guide, empower them…etc. The same Spirit that rested on Jesus in Luke 3:21&22 and raised Jesus from the dead would be ours too.                                 

 

In Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 and John 20&21 we are told of the resurrected Jesus appearing to the Disciples over a period of 40 days. And He gave what we call “the great commission”. At the end of the Gospels we find the Disciples convinced of Jesus’ resurrection and waiting for the Holy Spirit. I have read that it was only 11 days between when Jesus ascended into Heaven and the day of Pentecost. As they were instructed the Disciples were waiting for the promise of the Father. These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus and with His brothers. Acts 1:14

 

 

 

 

 

Acts chapter 2 tells us about the day of Pentecost. As the Holy Spirit is poured out on the Disciples in the upper room. There came from heaven noise like a violent wind and tongues as of fire settled on the Disciples. A crowd gathered and heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached by Peter in their own language for the first time. And hearing this Gospel they were pierced to their hearts and said, “What must we do?” and Peter said, “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins”. The Church of Jesus Christ was born on that day.

 

The Disciples were performing great signs and wonders under the power of the Holy Spirit. 3000 believers were added with the first sermon, God added to their numbers daily and 5000 were added in Peter’s second sermon. We must realize that the Spirit that empowered the Disciples then is available to us today. We all received the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation. (See John 20:22) But Jesus told the Disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high. (See Luke 24:46-49) We have the same experience available to us today. When Pentecost happened, the Disciples were fully given to Jesus and look at the result. When we come to Christ we must give Him all of our lives, not holding back anything. That is what the first disciples did, they gave Christ everything.

 

As I have been seeking the Lord on this subject, I believe He has shown me that one of the keys to the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is the preparation of the believer, has this person come fully to the Lord? Or, are they trying to bring the world with them? I have been seeing people receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and not have this be the life changing event that it was for the early Church. I believe that preparation is important, but teaching these young Christians (or old Christians) to have a complete relationship with the Lord helps keep the Spirit flowing. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is not a final destination, but an important part of our Christian walk and ministry. What we as Christians are willing to put into our relationship with the Lord has a direct effect on how much of us the Holy Spirit is able to use.

 

 There are many Christians who have been greatly used by the Holy Spirit to minister. One thing many of them have in common is they had a very close walk with the Lord, making it their priority each day.

 

As I close, I want to challenge anyone who reads this to press into your walk with the Lord. Radio, TV, CDs…etc can be a great resource, but they must not replace your prayer time and time spent in the Bible. We live in tough times and at times the enemy seems to have the upper hand, but he doesn’t. Where/when ever the enemy attacks us, Jesus promised us to empower us with the Holy Spirit (who already defeated Satan) to carry out his will.      May the Lord bless and keep you, in Christ, Marty