A Reminder of the Gift

In my first book (the Book of Luke) I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day He was taken up to heaven after giving His chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after His crucifixion, He appeared to the apostles from time to time, and He proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. And He talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Once when He was eating with them, He commanded them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift (The Holy Spirit) He promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Acts 1:1-5 NLT

 

Luke wrote about what Jesus did—and said. Jesus taught His disciples using the Holy Spirit—the ultimate wisdom. And Jesus promised…just as the Heavenly Father promised—the Holy Spirit would come on the disciples as a gift—baptism. What did the disciples know about baptism? What did it mean to them? Baptism—immersion in the Holy Spirit.  What does it mean to us now? We have the advantage of knowing who the Holy Spirit is…His power and the gifts He gives. The disciples didn’t fully know the Holy Spirit. Jesus had talked about the Helper, the Comforter, the Gift…but until Jesus went back to Heaven, they couldn’t experience the presence—the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the fullness of the promise. They experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost—just a few days after Jesus’ ascension. For me it has been a life changing experience to be filled with the Holy Spirit—to know that He is with me always giving me power and grace to live as God would have me live—giving me wisdom and love as I make choices. Have you experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Is He a part of your life…forever?   

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, guide me and help me to make good choices that I would live a life pleasing to You—serving God by serving others.

                                                                                                        

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

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