SATURDAY July 9, 2022
The Work of the Holy Spirit
“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
The power of the Holy Spirit was promised to the Church. Imagine, if Jesus’ disciples had never obeyed His words to remain in Jerusalem in the upper room, there would be no Gospel of Jesus Christ today. The book of Acts gives the account of the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit upon all flesh. In context, God’s Spirit was not only given to the Jews, the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon the Gentiles: “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh...” (Joel 2:28).
The book of Acts records for us the work of the Holy Spirit. The book is a continuation of the acts of Jesus Christ by His Holy Spirit, through human instruments God used. It documents the growth of Christianity and the planting of Christian churches, both among the Jews and among the Gentiles. Interestingly, we never find any mention of a church building. The reason is simple. Christians met in homes or Synagogues to study the Bible and break bread in fellowship together.
The ministry of the Apostle Peter is written in the book of Acts as well as the Apostle Paul’s conversion, his three missionary journeys, and his death at the hand of Caesar Nero. The Apostle John is referred to as Peter’s coworker, and James, the brother of John, is also mentioned, but only as a martyr for the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 12:2).
Stephen was not an Apostle, but he was a man filled with the Holy Spirit. He was actually the first martyr in the early church (Acts 7:54-60). The other eight Apostles are not mentioned. I believe it will be exciting to learn how the Holy Spirit moved in the lives of such dedicated men in the early church. I pray God will place a call on certain men who are filled with the Holy Spirit, in the church, to preach the Gospel.
The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods but through men....
~E. M. Bounds~
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