Receiving the Holy Spirit
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit?!”
Those were Paul's opening words to the believers when he arrived in Ephesus! Acts 19 tells us that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul journeyed through the regions until he reached Ephesus on the coast where he encountered several believers.
He asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
"No," they replied, "we hadn’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
Paul emphasized the work and power of the Holy Spirit, aiming to ensure that the believers in Ephesus weren't merely saved and destined for heaven, but also filled with the power to live out this new life. Looking back, I recall my upbringing, attending church every week. Although my love for the Lord was genuine, things took a significant turn after I experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. At a Bible camp, I entered a dorm room where the tangible power and Presence of the Holy Spirit filled the air. I thought to myself, "God is here." Raising my hands, I felt the power of God through the Holy Spirit flooding my spirit, and I began to speak in tongues. That moment marked a turning point in my spiritual journey. Of course, I faced setbacks and mistakes, but it was undeniably a pivotal moment.
Consider this: the disciples spent three and a half years with Jesus, witnessing miracles of provision, healing, and even people being raised from the dead. Yet, Jesus knew they lacked something crucial. What was it? The Holy Spirit!
In Acts 1:8, Jesus stated, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This infusion of the Spirit's work became the key to victory and effective representation of Jesus to the world. No wonder the devil opposes people being filled with the Spirit, including the evidence of speaking in tongues. The devil isn't afraid of a powerless, feeble, religious church.
When you read Acts chapter 2 and the events of Pentecost, you'll encounter a group of Spirit-filled people who ended up changing the world. Acts 2:42-47 outlines some significant outcomes of the Holy Spirit's work in the early church:
1. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit ignited a deeper love for God's Word.
2. It fostered love and unity among believers.
3. It intensified their devotion to worship and prayer.
4. It granted access to the supernatural, leading to miracles, signs, and wonders.
5. It cultivated a generous heart towards one another and God's work.
6. It brought about a new wave of God's favor in their lives.
7. It instilled a passionate desire to lead the lost to Christ.
Today, I want to encourage you: if you haven't experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, seek this incredible gift for your own life. And if you've already received this wonderful gift, remember to pray in the Spirit on all occasions and relish the blessings that come with this supernatural gift from God.