THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS FOR YOU – ACTS 2:39 (Pentecost Programme – Day 1)
7 years ago Evangelical Ministry 0
Peter replied, “…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” ( Acts 2:38-39)
The promise of the Holy Spirit is not just for a selected few. The Spirit is indeed for all who sincerely love and serve God now and for ages to come.
“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on ALL flesh…” (Joel 2:28-29).
In Acts 10:44-46, the Holy Spirit came down on ALL those who were listening to Peter’s message and the Jewish believers were amazed that God had poured out His gift of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles also. The truth is that though the ‘Promise’ is for all; there are conditions specified for receiving it.
1). Jesus earlier promised to give the Holy Spirit to those who were thirsty, who would come to Him, drink and also believe in Him (John 7:37-38).
2). He also emphasised the willingness of God to give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him (Luke 11:13).
3). Repentance from sin is also another important condition for receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit of God is for a purpose; it is the plan of Jesus to empower His Church by giving His Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). This is to enable the Church fulfill the divine mandate of making the whole world disciples of Christ (Matthew 28:19-28). In this regard, each of us has a peculiar role to play. The assignment given to us by God even before our birth (Jeremiah 1:4-5) can only be accomplished through the help of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:5-6).
The Spirit of God is the only assurance for the accomplishment of divine purpose. A Christian without the Holy Ghost is in spiritual coma and completely useless in the hand of the Master. Therefore, we must earnestly desire and seek the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER POINT/MEDITATION
1. Confess your sins and ask God for forgiveness.
2. Ask God to create hunger/thirst for the Holy Spirit in your heart.
3. Ask God to pour out His Holy Spirit on you
(Source: 2018 CCRN Awka Diocesan Pentecost Programme – Day 1, pp 16)
