But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The apostles in the early Church demonstrated so much power and excellence of the Spirit as they proclaimed the Gospel and turned many to righteousness. Preceding their exploits and spiritual feats was the fulfilled promise from Jesus, which we read in our opening verse. That was their secret and unparalleled advantage: the Holy Spirit coming to live in them.
Take for example, Peter who hitherto, out of fear, denied Jesus before a young girl; after he received the Holy Spirit, the same Peter fearlessly preached the Gospel to a teeming crowd with three thousand souls giving their hearts to Christ at once (Acts 2:41).
The same thing happened with the Apostle Paul after he received the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:20 tells us he went straight to the synagogues and began to preach that Jesus was the Son of God. In 1 Corinthians 2:4, he said, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” He so demonstrated the power of God that on the Island of Malta, the natives concluded that he was a god (Acts 28:1-6).
Today, the same Holy Spirit lives in you. He came to make you a witness of the glory, power and the reality of the Kingdom of God. 2 Corinthians 3:6 (AMPC) says, “[It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ….” Preach the Gospel fearlessly, and while at it, the Holy Spirit will lead, guide, and energize you; He’ll put power in your words. Just as He did with the early apostles, He’ll confirm the message with indisputable signs, wonders and miracles (Mark 16:20).
This is your day. This is your time. The apostles have gone to heaven. We’re the ones on the scene now, chosen to make known the glories, excellence, virtues and perfections of Christ to the world. Hallelujah!
PRAYER Dear heavenly Father, I’m so grateful for making me an effective witness of your power, glory and grace to the world. I take my place as an effective minister of the Gospel, delivering sinners from darkness to light, and from sin unto righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Corinthians 15:35-58
Proverbs 8-9
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Luke 20:9-18
1 Samuel 20
FURTHER STUDY:
Acts 26:16-18
2 Corinthians 3:5-6
Mark 16:15
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