Powered by the Spirit of God

As Christian people or God’s people, we are called to bear witness to His great works. The first disciples were all tasked with bearing witness to the risen Jesus. The witness would begin in Jerusalem but would move outward to “the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Jesus did not command His followers to perform certain rituals or acts according to certain laws in these verses but He promised them that the Holy Spirit would come upon them and that they would testify to His power. 

Reflecting and telling others about what God has done has always been important to God. Acts and the New Testament did not introduce this concept but it is one written in the Old Testament as well. Throughout history, Israel was called to be the primary witness of God’s power and greatness. 

“I have redeemed you,” God says in Isaiah. “You are my witnesses… and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he (Isa.43,1,10).

We need to be reminded that God can make a way when there is no way just like God’s people who were in exile when they heard this message. God is “doing a new thing” so that all will sing His praises. 

Jesus is beyond anything the prophet Isaiah would have imagined. He is with us, literally, His name is Immanuel which means “God with us”. In Old Testament times they were promised a Messiah and they would have loved to know that He walked among us. They probably would have given anything to be there present with Him. 

“And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” - Luke 24:49

In order for us to go out, we need the Holy Spirit to guide us. Jesus stated that “I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.” This promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit was already mentioned several times in the Old Testament before Christ was incarnated. Joel 2:28-29 says: 

“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.” 

He kept His promise. This prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. For the sake of expanding the church. God revealed fully the Spirit of God that indwells in everyone who believes in Jesus - men and women. 

It is the Spirit-given understanding of God’s love and grace in welcoming us that empowers and motivates us to proclaim his grace to others. 

Do you believe that you are filled with the Holy Spirit? Every morning make it a habit to pray and ask God that He fills you with His Holy Spirit because the Spirit not only gives you the gifts (Ephesians 4:11) and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), but He refines you and makes you sensitive to the things of God. When you are filled with the Spirit, you are intertwined with God’s will and purpose. He will move your heart to do things you never thought you could do. 

Like evangelism. Sharing the good news is our Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). We are to make disciples and that is the general call of every Christian. If you have trouble understanding how to do this, The Holy Spirit also guides us by illuminating our minds. 

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” - John 14:26

“These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” - 1 Corinthians 2:10

“Walking by the Spirit is what we do when the desires of the Spirit are stronger than the desires of the flesh.” - John Piper