1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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." 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
After spending time with the Gospel (Good news of Jesus) we now have the opportunity to observe what it actually looks like when it is activated by Spirit-filled disciples. The "Acts of the Holy Spirit" is an historical application of the teachings of Christ. In this respect, it may be one of the most important of the 66 books.
And so, it all begins with this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." I think about the disclaimers in some automobile commercials... "professional driver on a closed course. Do not attempt this at home". In this same spirit Jesus is saying "don't even think about making disciples until I send you some help!"
I suggest we are given this injunction because we are neither smart enough nor talented enough without the Holy Spirit. This, of course is a huge "downer" because we love the notoriety that spiritual power brings. Unfortunately, these two...our ego and God's Spirit...cannot co-exist. As our ego increases spiritual power decreases.This injunction rarely prevents us from trying. We have countless Christians running around like whirling dervishes trying to emmulate the activities of the Holy Spirit without activating the power. They generally make a huge mess of things. Why is that? If we go back to the very beginning, God said "don't eat that". Almost reflexively, the devil said "really?" You and I have been trying to distinguish between these two voices ever since.
We understand the reason. The devil cannot countenance the use of heavenly power in his kingdom. Application of such power spells certain defeat for him. His only option is to fight us at every turn, Unless, of course, we launch out without the Holy Spirit's power. Then the devil gives us free reign because he knows the results will be dismal. Conversely, when we tune out Satan and tune in to the Holy Spirit the results are magical. "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."
And so, our lives have become the battleground for creation's two superpowers...God and Satan. The good news is God has implemented a "law of armed conflict" that prevents Satan from using a "scorched earth" policy intended to destroy us. The limit of Satan's influence is his ability to neutralize us.
Surely we can anticipate the question..."do our lives witness to the saving power of Jesus Christ or has the devil neutralized us? If so, we know the remedy.
Live boldly out there today...
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