THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD

Proclamation:

“And when the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting ... All of them were filled with The Holy Spirit …”  Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Luke, the physician and frequent traveling companion of the apostle Paul.  Some people believe that only the eleven apostles received power after The Holy Spirit of God came upon them.  Luke records that in that upper room there were about 120 men and women (Acts 1:12-15) and they were all filled with The Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4) 

Application:

Jesus, The Christ, said “You will receive power when The Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses …” (Acts 1:8)  This power is not just for preachers but it is available to all believers.  After Peter preached his first sermon, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)  That day about 3000 people gladly received his word, believed it, and became disciples (students) of Christ. (Acts 2:41)  That number grew daily and became a multitude. (Acts 2:46-47)  Stephen, the first deacon, was full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, before the apostles laid their hands upon him and prayed for him. (Acts 6:3-8)  As believers in Jesus, The Christ, we have The Holy Spirit of God within us.  Our problem is we have a choice in what we do and say, and we do not let The Holy Spirit have control of our lives.  We want to be in charge.  My favorite example of this is to use a bus as an analogy.  On the bus which represents our life, we want The Holy Spirit to be a back seat passenger on the bus that we are driving, instead of us letting The Holy Spirit take charge and drive the bus.  We have the potential to do great things for The Lord.  We have the power of The Holy Spirit of God available to us, to help us to be a help to others.  We have the power within us, the question is: what are we doing with it and what are we going to do with it?  All believers are to be witnesses for Christ.  We are all to spread The Word and tell others about the good news and salvation through Jesus, The Christ.