SCRIPTURE: Acts 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. [Acts 1:5]
The book of Exodus finishes with the tabernacle being ‘baptized’ (filled, covered, anointed) by the glory cloud that represented God [Exodus 40:34-38].
God’s presence and power among them led and empowered them through the wilderness and into the promised land.
When John the Baptist baptized people, it was the symbol of a new beginning, of being flooded by God’s cleansing mercy and stepping out a new person.
But that baptism was symbolic of good intentions, not of actual heart-change.
Their hearts may have been sincere, but the sinful nature that corrupted their hearts was still there.
It is because of sin that no amount of good intentions, self-help or religious ritual can fix our hearts.
We have a serious heart disease, a spiritual heart disease.
Our problem is spiritual, therefore the solution needs to be spiritual.
We need the Spirit of God to enter into our spirit (our inner being, centered in the heart) and rebirth, renew, recreate, revitalize, reform… make us new from the inside out.
We need to be baptized by the Spirit of God.
Consider the disciples of Jesus. On their own, even with all their good intentions, they could not understand or follow Jesus without messing up.
Jesus has entrusted to them the mission of telling the whole world about Him, but thus far their track record is not that good.
Their spirit is willing, but their flesh (i.e. sinful human nature) is weak.
That is, until they get a spiritual heart transplant!
Ezekiel prophecies about God giving His people new hearts, living hearts in place of their hearts of stone [Ezekiel 11:18-19].
Jeremiah tells about a new covenant, when God writes His will on their hearts [Jeremiah 31:33].
Joel predicts the day when God will pour out His Spirit on everyone [Joel 2:28-29].
These all refer to the baptism (flooding, pouring) of the Spirit.
This is the only hope for the disciples (including the newly appointed Matthias), the only way they can fulfill Jesus’ assignment to take Jesus message to the ends of the earth.
By themselves, they are empty balloons, but with the Spirit of God, they are inflated and will soar with God.
This is what we will see as we read through the book of Acts.
PRAYER:
Lord, I need Your Spirit to renew and inspire me. Fill me with Your Spirit today.
Jesus appears to His followers for 40 days after His death convincing that He was alive as He had said. Not only did Jesus prepare His disciples for ministry while He was on earth, but He He encourages them along the way and promises to equip them for the task – the Holy Spirit.
Not only did He equip them with the Spirit but also gave the promise of His return. Don’t just star gaze but get busy with the task since I will come back. That reminds me of the workers in His vineyard working for the Master until He returns.
Following His instructions – waiting for the Spirit – they came together in prayer. They knew what their task would be and they came together in prayer. To be equipped as His servants we need to be a praying servant. God equips His people with His gifts and the people can also equip themselves by coming to the Lord in prayer. When? At all times.
Here the disciples were embarking on a new task – the great commission and in a time of persecution – waiting for the promise and what do they do? Come together in prayer. This is a basic ingredient of a Christian’s life – to come into His presence in all circumstances in prayer. Talk with the Father.
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.