Acts 2:38

Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Imagine this, an ordinary fisherman. He had no schooling or training other than living with Jesus for a few years. Peter witnessed Jesus life, His death, and then saw Him resurrected. Now he was living in fear of the Jews. He saw what they did to Jesus and was afraid he would be next.Then the Holy Spirit came upon him.

Peter now had the power of God inside of him. This was the same man who had been with Jesus. He had denied him, ran away when they took him and had been afraid for his own life, but now he had confidence; he had Christ in him.

Peter was with the other disciples and they all received the Holy Spirit. With all the confusion and excitement of what was happening, a crowd started forming around them. Peter stood up and began to speak. His words cut straight to the heart of the people and they were convicted of their sin. “What must we do?” they asked.

This was Peter’s answer, “Repent and be baptized, everyone of you.” It is amazing how God used Peter and the other disciples. They had no background of speaking, no training in how to deliver a message, but God used them anyway.

See, a lot of people have talent and ability, which is good, but without passion it will amount to nothing. What God really wants is a heart after Him. If you seek God, He will use you. With His Spirit inside of you, He will give you the words to say. Seek Him and let Him take care of the rest.

Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

You are a witness. In your life you have seen and experienced something that God has done. If you have received Christ in your life you have undergone a change. That’s what God wants you to talk about. Tell people about your experiences with God. Make it personal because that is what will touch people.
I know that it sounds scary sometimes, but that is why God has given us the Holy Spirit. He is our helper and our strength in weakness. Let Him flow through you and guide you in all you do and say. And make sure you are a witness everywhere you go.
Notice as Jesus gave these instructions to His disciples He began with Jerusalem and then worked His way out to ‘the ends of the earth.’ Jerusalem was where they were currently at. Jesus was telling them to start where they were, at home, and then broaden their circle of influence.
If you are not being a witness to those in your home and community you have no business going to other places and ministering. You must start with those closest to you. Let your life reflect what God has done in your heart.
The bible says that people are saved by the blood of the lamb and the word of your testimony. Your testimony will lead others to Jesus. Make sure you are using it.

John 17:22-23

John 17:22-23 - I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have Loved them even as you have Loved me.

Jesus wanted to make it as easy for us as possible. He knew we would face trials, so He wanted to give us everything that He had; He made it all available to us. Jesus did this so that we could walk in unity with each other as He and the Father are in unity.

In order for us to be in unity like them we must look at the way they are unified. We see God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. These three beings are unified together in such a way that you cannot tell where one stops and the next one starts. They also never act individually. Jesus tells us that He only does what his Father tells Him.

Now we have Christ in us and He has God in Him, therefore,we have God in us. So when Jesus is talking about us being in unity He is not just talking with each other , but with Him and God. That is the true picture of unity: Jesus in us and God in Him, with us only acting based on what we hear from them.

Imagine walking the earth as Jesus did, preaching and teaching. And if the sick came to Him they were healed. All this could be you as well. Once you enter into unity with the Triune God the world will see and know that God Loves you and is in you.

John 7:16

John 7:16 - Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from Him who sent me.”

You would think that Jesus, being the Son of God, would be qualified to give His own message, but that is not how He worked. Jesus wanted to give us an example of how we are to live and how we are to teach. Also, Jesus has a human nature, just like we do, and just like us, if He allowed that nature to take over He would mess up. But we know that Jesus never messed up.

Jesus knew that the only way to keep your human nature in check was to live in total reliance to God. So, Jesus, who was God’s Son still had to rely on God for everything. What makes us think we can do any different.

God is our source. He gives us life; He gives us direction; and He gives us everything we need to follow His plan for our lives. We must never reach a point where we  think we can do it on our own. If we do, that is when we will fail.

If Jesus knew that He could not do it without God, then we can rest assured that we will never be able to either. But that is the great thing about God: He never asks us too. In fact, He does exactly the opposite. He tells us to come to Him and rely on Him. When God tells us what He wants us to do He comes right alongside of us to help us do it.

Jesus gave us the model of how we can live a godly life. He showed us what true reliance on God is. We see multiple times throughout the scriptures where Jesus reminds us that He is not acting on His own, but only doing what His Father tells Him. Even in His teaching we see that He only teaches what God gives Him to teach.

That should be our goal as well. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit will guide us in what to say and when we need to speak. Let us surrender to God in all we do and trust Him to give us the words to say when we teach and preach.

Luke 20:26

Luke 20:26 – They were unable to trap Him in what He had said there in public. And astonished by His answer, they became silent.

         As Jesus taught He gained more popularity with the people. They were following Him and listening to everything He said. This made the religious leaders jealous. They wanted the popularity; the people were supposed to listen to them. Everyday more and more people began looking to Jesus and so, every day, the leaders grew madder and madder.

         They thought that maybe if they discredited Him the people would come back to them. In their attempt to do this they would ask Him questions, but these were not just any questions. These questions were designed to trick Him into saying something that He didn’t mean.

         Jesus, however, was not easily tricked. Jesus had the wisdom of God and the Holy Spirit to guide Him in what to say and do. Every time they tried to trick Him He answered in such a way that would leave them speechless.

         So what does that mean for us? Well, we have the same Spirit on the inside of us, and we have access to the same wisdom. If you have a habit of saying something before you think about it, slow down. Think before you say; let the Spirit of God guide you in wisdom and direct your words.

         Sometimes being quiet is the best way, but then other times saying something is necessary. So whether you are in the habit of saying too much or not saying anything at all you need to change your ways. Be sensitive and obedient to the Spirit and speak when you need to and shut up when you don’t.

         James says that if you can tame the tongue you will be a perfect person. Jesus had control of what He said, speaking wisdom at the right times. If we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit we too will be able to control our tongues.

Luke 1:67

Luke 1:67 – His (John’s) father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied.

       John’s birth, similar to Jesus, was nothing short of a miracle. His parents were well beyond child bearing age and they had tried their whole married life to have a child, but were unsuccessful. Then Zechariah was ministering in the house of the Lord and an angel appeared to him.

       This angel brought the promise of a child, but Zechariah found it hard to believe. He was looking at the natural circumstances of His life and questioned the message that came from God. Because of his doubt his voice was taken from him and he was unable to speak.

       From the time of the vision all the way until his miracle baby was born, Zechariah was unable to utter a word. It wasn't until he named his child John that his tongue was loosened. This verse in Luke comes right after he is given the ability to speak again.

       There are a lot of things that Zechariah could have said, but what he did was prophecy. First his praises went to God, and then he prophesied over his son. That speaks a lot to those of us who are fathers. I think this is one of the things that is missing in today’s families. It is a tough world to grow up in and our kids need to help. They need encouragement and life spoken into them.

Prophecy is not just about speaking the future. It can come in many forms. Basically it is a word from God; sometimes it is a scripture or just an encouraging word. Children need this. As fathers it is our responsibility to give this to them. Seek God for your children. Pray for them every day and then in turn prophesy over them.

Acts 19:4-6

Acts 19:4-6 - Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

As Paul was spreading the Word of God throughout the city of Ephesus he found some men who already believed. These men had heard the message and turned their lives over to Jesus. They had received the baptism of John, water baptism, but knew nothing of the baptism of the Spirit. When Paul asked them about it they said they had never heard anything about the Spirit.

On hearing this Paul began to explain the differences between the two baptisms. Now both baptisms are important. When we receive Christ we get baptized in water. As Paul explains it, this is a baptism of repentance. It is an outward sign of what is going on inside our heart and mind. Water baptism represents us turning from our old life of sin and turning to new life in Jesus. Paul later describes it as a representation of us joining with Christ in death, burial and resurrection.

While this is important we must not stop here. Jesus has more for us. He wants to give the Holy Spirit as our helper. Once inside us the Spirit is our direct link to God. Paul says later that God’s Spirit “testifies along with our spirit that we are God’s children(Romans 8:16).” As we see in this passage the Spirit of God often comes with the laying on of hands, but it is not always that way.

You can receive the Spirit on your own. if you have not yet received this baptism don’t wait any longer. Go before God and be baptized into the name of Jesus and let His Spirit come inside of you. Then you can walk in direct fellowship with God.

Acts 15:8-9

Acts 15:8-9 - God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for He purified their hearts by faith.

Peter spoke these words as he was defending the Gentiles in front of the other Jews. A dispute had risen up. Some thought that when the Gentiles got saved they needed to adopt all the rules that the Jews were supposed to follow. They were specifically referring to circumcision. This is something that the Jews held in high regard, because it was a sign of the original covenant between God and man. Now they thought that since the Gentiles were being adopted into the kingdom of God, they should start doing these things as well.

These men had forgotten that it is on no part of our own that we are saved. It is not by works or deeds, but through faith, by the grace of God. Peter is now reminding them of that. He speaks of God looking at the heart of man and that every man is the same in God’s kingdom.

Now, as Christians, we too can fall into this trap. We get into the thinking that if you are a child of God you should dress or act a certain way. Sometimes it falls to actions as well, what we should or shouldn't do.

In the spirit of what Peter said here let me tell you this: It does not matter what you look like; how many tattoos or piercings you have; or what clothes you are wearing. Likewise, it does not matter what you are doing, whether it be smoking or drinking or what you are watching on TV. God wants you for you. You don’t need to change a bunch of things to come to Him. He says, “Come as you are!” No matter what, you are accepted and Loved. Let the Holy Spirit tell you what to change in your life, not the traditions of men. God just wants your heart.

Acts 11:15-16

Acts 11:15-16 - As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as He had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said : “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Peter spoke these words as he was explaining his first visit to the Gentiles. His fellow Jewish believers were having a hard time accepting the fact that Peter had gone and stayed in the home of a Gentile. Peter explained the story of how God had spoke to him and told him to go and then proceeded to pour out His Spirit upon them. He told of how it surprised him at first, but then he remembered the Words of Jesus, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

There are a couple things that we can take from this story. First I want to point out that God will pour out His Spirit on anyone who will receive it. There is no difference. Once we accept Christ our bodies we are cleansed and made righteous so that we can house the Spirit of God. God does not show favoritism, but gives to all who believe.

I also want to point out the difference in baptisms. Jesus mentioned two baptisms, not just one. There is the baptism of John, which is immersion in water. Then there is the baptism of the Spirit, which is with fire. It is important that we receive both of these baptisms as we get our lives right with God.

First , the water baptism is to represent what is going on inside us. It is an outward expression of an inward work. Paul later describes it as joining with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. We can also think of it as a cleansing; washing away the old self and being made new with Jesus. This baptism is important because it is done in obedience. Jesus was baptized in this way as an example for us to follow.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is equally important. Jesus said that He had to go (to the cross) so that He could send us a helper. This helper is the Holy Spirit. After we are saved and accept Christ into our lives we must receive the Spirit. God’s Spirit helps us to live the lives God has called us to and is our direct line to Him. Through the Spirit we can live in constant fellowship with God.

Acts 2:38

Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, “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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Peter spoke this on the day of Pentecost after the Holy Spirit was poured out on all the disciples. They were all together waiting, as Jesus had instructed them, and then it happened. God’s Spirit came upon each one of them. At this time the people around them did not understand what was going on. They could all hear the disciples speaking in their own languages and probably acting a little crazy.

With the Holy Spirit in Him Peter stood up with a boldness that he never knew before. He began speaking to the crowd and explaining all that had happened. First he told them of Jesus and that He had been turned over and been crucified. As he spoke these words it brought conviction to those he was speaking to. They asked him what they could do to be saved and this was his answer, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” He explained how Jesus would forgive their sins and then give them the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This was true for them and it is true for us today. When conviction comes don’t let it condemn you, but let it inspire you to change. Turn from your old ways and receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. It is for you and your children and everyone that God calls, and it is His desire that all men be saved. God wants to see everyone walking in the truth with His Spirit inside them. He has made this promise to all mankind. This gift is available to all of us, but we have to choose to receive it.

Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

This was not the first time that Jesus told His disciples that He would be sending them the Holy Spirit. His whole life on earth was building up to this moment. He would be going back to the Father and sending the Holy Spirit. Because of what Jesus did for us we are all able to receive the Spirit of God upon us. 

Now the Spirit comes and connects us to God, but also helps us here on earth as well. In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul tells us that the Spirit of God manifests itself each us as it wills, but we all have the same Spirit. He goes on to talk about some of the Spiritual Gifts that we have because of the Holy Spirit. As we begin to understand more of the Spirit we know that it comes upon each one of us, but not always in the same way.

One thing we know for sure though is what Jesus says. In this verse He tells us that the Spirit will bring power. This power comes from heaven and we all have access to it. What is this power for, you ask? Jesus tells us in the next part of this verse that we are witnesses, and not just any witness, we are His witnesses. We are to go into the world and tell others of what Christ has done in us and through us. In order to do this we must be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. That is one of its purposes; to lead and guide us, showing us when and where to act and giving us the words to say. So the Spirit is our helper, He will help us in our mission as witnesses.

Jesus tells us we will be His witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Now, He is not telling us that we have to move to Jerusalem and start our ministry there. Think about who He is talking to directly. He is speaking to His disciples, who were currently in Jerusalem. What Jesus is saying here is that we need to start where we are at. Start being a witness at home, in your workplace, school, city or town. Begin small and then build up. Jesus has called you to be a witness to the world around you and His Spirit is on you giving you all you need to fulfill that calling.

John 20:21-23

John 20:21-23 – Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Jesus had been crucified, but now has returned. As His disciples were gathered together He appeared among them with this message. I imagine they were pretty worried at this time. Earlier in chapter 20 we are told that they had the doors locked for fear of the Jews. Jesus had been arrested and put to death and now they were worried for their own lives as well. Then Jesus, who they thought was dead, appeared among them while the doors were still locked. This would freak me out as well, but Jesus begins by reassuring them, “Peace be with you!”

After that, though, He hands His mission off to them. He says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Think about this for a minute. These men had been around Jesus since He first began His ministry. They had seen Him perform miracles, heard Him speak to the masses and most of all watched as He gave God the glory for everything He did. All that Jesus had done, they had been there to see it. They truly knew how Jesus lived. Now they are charged with the same mission.

Thankfully, Jesus didn't leave it at that. He passes on the Holy Spirit as a helper. Jesus knew that in order to carry on his ministry they would need a helper that could connect them to God so He says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This helper and the charge to carry on His mission were not just for the disciples, but for us as well. This is our mission; our purpose in life. We are to walk as Jesus walked and speak His words. The Holy Spirit will be our helper and guide for this mission.

Jesus goes on to tell us, “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” This is a hard one to wrap my mind around. I say this because even the religious leaders of that day called it blasphemy when Jesus forgave sins and He is the Son of God. Now Jesus says we can do the same. As His disciples and children of God we have authority to forgive sins. This puts a lot of responsibility on us; to walk as Jesus walked and to forgive as He forgave, but we have the Holy Spirit to help us.

John 16:13

John 16:13 - “But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.”

Jesus was directly linked to the Father. He only said and did what He heard from Him. When Jesus was on earth He was the only one directly linked to God. Jesus went to death to take our sin and purify our hearts and minds so that we can be righteous before God. This way the Holy Spirit could also make His home within us. Basically, through the cross and resurrection Jesus multiplied Himself in us. Now we too, have direct access to the Father. We need to imitate Jesus in this.

When Jesus acted and spoke it was direct from God. We have the Holy Spirit in us, who, as we see in this verse, will lead us into all truth. He will speak through us, directly from God. As we let the Spirit guide us into truth we need to let Him take control, because He is our link to the Father.

In addition to connecting us directly to God, the Holy Spirit is also our helper. We will see trouble in this life, but He will help us through. He will comfort us when we need it and give us wisdom to make the right choices and decisions. Since He is God’s Spirit He also brings all of God to us, so we can be connected to God’s heart and mind.

This verse also speaks of the Spirit telling of things yet to come. God knows all, from beginning to end and through His Spirit we will receive a vision for our future. As we stay in tune with the Spirit we will be able to see the plan the God has for us as it unfolds in our lives.

John 7:37-38

John 7:37-38 - On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

 We all have that thirst, that hunger, that desire for something greater. If we will admit it we are not satisfied with the ordinary and want more. We want something supernatural. That is what Jesus is talking about here. Nothing else will satisfy or quench that thirst, only Jesus. He tells us, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me to drink.” Go to Jesus. Let Him quench your thirst. There is nothing else that will satisfy.

Jesus not only quenches your thirst, but also fills you so that you can help others. Now we can see that Jesus has streams of Living Water in Him. We see it in the form of the Holy Spirit, flowing from heaven through Jesus and touching the earth. When we go to Jesus He baptizes us with “fire” and we receive this same Spirit in us. This is the Holy Spirit of God that we have on the inside of us.

So, just as Jesus had the “streams of living water” flowing out of Him, we too have these same “streams” flowing out of us. The same Spirit that was in Jesus is now alive and active in us. This is amazing. Now we must be careful not to dam up these rivers. They are made to flow and we need to follow Jesus example and let them flow through us and touch the lives of those around us. You have life in that will quench spiritual thirst, and it is your responsibility to share it with others. Let the water flow freely through you.