The 120 believers that were filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2 went out from that meeting place and literally changed the world. They came into that building one way and left another. They left filled with the Holy Spirit and with power. They left with the fire of God burning in their hearts (Matthew 3:11). They left charged and ready to...
“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high,” (Luke 24:49).
I think it is interesting that Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until He sent the Holy Spirit to them (Luke 24:49). I want to draw your attention to the fact that Jesus’ disciples did not do any ministry after Jesus’ ascension into heaven before they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). Jesus knew His church was going to need some help in order for them to be effective in ministering to others. He knew they could not live victoriously over the devil without the Holy Spirit’s help.
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth,” (Acts 1:8).
Jesus told His disciples they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them and they would be His witnesses on the earth and that is exactly what happened. The 120 believers that were filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2 went out from that meeting place and literally changed the world. They came into that building one way and left another. They left filled with the Holy Spirit and with power. They left with the fire of God burning in their hearts (Matthew 3:11). They left charged and ready to impact lives on God’s behalf as He worked in and through them by His Spirit.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father,” (John 14:12).
These guys experienced the promise Jesus made in John 14:12. They found themselves doing the works of Jesus. They went from city to city preaching the gospel of Jesus with signs and wonders following them. They experienced the masses receive salvation. They baptized new converts in water and prayed for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). They healed the sick, cast out demons, and spoke in a heavenly tongue (Mark 16:15-18). What an awesome life. What an awesome ministry.
The best news is this kind of living is not exclusive to the early church. It is available to whoever wants it today. Any born again believer in Jesus Christ can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Any child of God can be filled with the Holy Spirit and have the power of God operating in their life. All a person has to do is desire Him. The Holy Spirit is a gift that has already been given to the church of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38-39). After a gift is given a person must then receive and open that gift in order to benefit from it. So, what are you doing with this beautiful gift God has made available to you? My friend, don’t miss out on any of your inheritance as a child of God. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit, receive this perfect gift into your life by faith and enjoy the wonderful benefits of living everyday empowered by the Holy Spirit!
Blessings,
Brandon Burnam