The Holy Spirit is here and we are seeing the work of that Spirit. Just a few weeks ago, 3000 people came to know Christ. As our numbers grow, 2000 more join in, making our totals over 5000, just since the Holy Spirit’s arrival!
As Jesus tells us, “we will do even greater things,” now we realize how powerful the spirit is and what those things might look like! Even as we look at ourselves, we begin to see that we are evidence of Christ’s work!
Last week, from Acts Chapter 3, Peter and John healed the crippled man that was sitting by the gate called Beautiful. And they did it in the name of Jesus. There is power in the name!
God gives us all the tools we need to get the job done, whatever the job may be!
Let’s keep going. Acts 4:1-4 reads;
“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.”
Many heard the message of Jesus and believed!
“The next day the rulers had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
Salvation is found in no one else!
There is power here but it does not come from us. It comes through us, sometimes in spite of us.
A few points to reflect on;
- You cannot stop the work of the Holy Spirit. Even in the hearing, many came to know Christ.
- Peter did not take credit for the healing. He affirmatively explains it is accomplished in the name of Jesus.
- He goes on to explain salvation comes by no other way than by Jesus.
Power comes directly from God. Whether power from the Holy Spirit or power in the name of Jesus, God has given us all the tools we need to do what He has called us to do.
In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
I love where we are going. I feel like we are on some sort of scavenger hunt, gathering as we go. There is more work to be done and more lessons for us to learn. I hope you will continue with me, and begin to realized through God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we have everything we need to bring the Kingdom here on Earth!
Let us pray;
Holy Spirit, work in us as you worked in them. Give us the courage to do what you have called us to do. Help us to understand salvation comes through our belief in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit! Help us to grasp how deep and wide your love is for every single one of us! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
P.S. Leave me a comment below because I love hearing from you. Forward this message to a friend. Post on Facebook and copy me in it. Let’s spread the word that the Holy Spirit is here! -M
