“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
These were the final words that Jesus gave His disciples before He ascended into the heavens. He told them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the promised Holy Spirit. He did not tell them how long they would have to wait. They spent their time in prayer and expectation and finally, the day arrived. We read the account in Acts 2.
In celebration of the Feast of Pentecost, the priests were in the temple offering the first loaves of the new harvest, but in the upper room, the Holy Spirit came as the first fruits of our inheritance. The place was filled with the sound of a rushing, mighty wind, tongues of fire sat on each head, and they began to speak in heavenly language.
What a change in the hearts and lives of the disciples. Those men who had fled from the garden in fear the night that Jesus was arrested, were suddenly filled with boldness, as they poured forth into the streets to proclaim the Gospel. Peter, who had a few days earlier denied even knowing Jesus, suddenly became the spokesman of the group and preached the message of salvation to the assembled crowd.
The Holy Spirit changes lives today just as he did on the Day of Pentecost. When we obey the words of Peter to repent and be baptized in Jesus’ Name, the gift of the Holy Spirit is ours. As we yield ourselves to the Lord, old things pass away, and our lives become new. The fruits of the Spirit manifest themselves in our lives and we will be a witness to our families and friends of how Jesus Christ can change us and make us new creatures in Him.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that the gift of your Holy Spirit was not just for the disciples and believers on the Day of Pentecost, but it is a gift that you freely give to all who will open their hearts to You and obey your Word.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
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