The Holy Spirit

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

- Acts 4:8-13

Behind every beautiful act a disciple does stands the power and love of Jesus. What Acts makes clear is that the Holy Spirit enabled Peter and John. Disciples serve in the name of Jesus through the power of the Spirit.

Years ago, at an Alpha Holy Spirit Weekend, a wife brought her husband to me and told me to pray for him to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and then she walked away, leaving the two of us alone. Making sure he wasn’t being coerced, I asked the man if he wanted to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He did. I asked him to extend his hands palm side up in a receiving posture and prayed out loud for him to be filled with the Spirit. After a minute or so, I asked if he had experienced anything. No, nothing. I prayed some more and asked again. No, nothing. After a third time I thought I’d have to give up!

As I kept praying, the man opened his eyes and starred at his right hand. I asked what was going on. “Someone is holding my hand,” he said. I replied, “Did you ask God for a sign and is this the sign you asked for?” “Yep,” he responded. In that moment he knew the presence of God and that God loved him.

Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit? Do you know the powerful presence of Jesus in your life and the overwhelming love of the Father? Ask God right now to fill you with his Spirit by saying, “Lord, fill me with your Spirit. I want to know your presence and your love.” Stay silent before the Lord, letting him minister to you, that you may be equipped to minister to others.

Prayer

Grant, O God, that I may speak so boldly and so lovingly that the greatness of Christ may shine out clearly in my person, through the indwelling of your Holy Spirit. Amen.