Have you been waiting for the promise? Do you have any idea what I am writing about? There are so many that call themselves believers that don’t teach about this as being for today. It seems like this topic is either neglected or taught that it isn’t for today in different churches. Paul thought this was a very important subject and crucial for the believing Christian of his day and I believe it is crucial for today also. This made all the difference in the disciple’s lives and also the church. It was the difference between Peter denying the Lord and giving his life for the Lord. It took the disciples from being timid, and in many cases unbelieving, to being bold and fearless. Because of the promise they became bold, had a strong faith and became faithful witnesses of the Lord. Because of the promise these believers turned the world upside down, so to speak, demons were fleeing, healings were taking place, people were being set free, the dead were being raised, the good news was being preached, the crippled were walking, the blind were seeing and the deaf walked away hearing. Signs and wonders followed the preaching and miracles were in abundance, the church was growing and the Lord was being glorified. Without the Lord’s promise taking place it would have never been the same.
I think by now you must have figured out what I am talking about. It was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. What a day that was, the disciples waited ten days for the promise and they were not disappointed when they heard the sound from heaven like a mighty rushing wind that filled the house where they were sitting. Then there appeared cloven tongues like fire that sat on each of them. “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4) Praise the Lord! What a sight it must have been and how overjoyed and excited these disciples must have felt.
Jews from all over the world were there and heard the good news in their own language; they weren’t living in Palestine at that time because of the persecution. Now everyone regardless of race had a chance to partake of the Holy Spirit. There is one prerequisite and that is you have to be born-again. I think every believer should be seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit today; it would make such a difference in their life.
If you have read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John you can’t help but notice the tremendous difference it made in the disciples’ lives. Take Peter for instance, he was so emotional, unstable and timid before the day of Pentecost, denying the Lord and at other times sticking his foot in his mouth, so to speak, but after the outpouring of the Holy Ghost he was bold and reliable, a man full of faith and power. The first message he preached he spoke with boldness and power with the Lord’s anointing on his life and about three thousand souls became believers. Peter ended up being crucified for his faith, instead of running and denying the Lord, he was willing to give his life for the Lord. He didn’t lose his life because he was afraid to offend people or was trying to pacify them, he spoke the truth with the power of the Holy Spirit in his life.
When they heard the message this is what the Lord said they did in Acts 2:36-37, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” I don’t see anyone laughing here but I do see conviction, which is called being pricked in the heart, praise the Lord. Then Peter went on in verses 38-40, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”
If they needed the baptism in their day, how much more do we need it today? So if you haven’t been baptized in the Holy Spirit, start seeking it for your life and don’t give up until you receive it. Have a great day and may God bless you and yours.
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