07/29/2024 – The Promise of the Holy Spirit
Acts 1: 4 “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The first and foundational need for life in Christ is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We are familiar with water baptism. At one point in your lives hopefully all of you received this baptism. It was symbolic of this promise. Water is not able to cleanse our sin. But the Spirit of God IS able to apply the blood of Jesus to our lives. He opens our minds to the truth of the Gospel and enables us to understand and believe what Christ did for us. He opens our hearts for the word of God and Christ Himself to dwell by faith in our hearts. He cleanses us of our sin and sanctifies us, not just once, but constantly. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2: 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
This promise is yours as well- for all of us. God promises to send the Holy Spirit to indwell ever believer and to empower us for ministry and to guide us on the path to salvation to eternal life. There may be many things we want that God will not give us on this earth. But here is a promise you can count on!