June 14 – Introduction to Acts
Let me start with a disclaimer, I do not have this all figured out! In fact, I started studying Acts a short time ago to learn more about the Holy Spirit’s role in my life. I accepted Christ when I was 10, but my discipleship over the past 25 years has not included the power and purpose of the Holy Spirit. So I am excited about this journey we are taking through Acts and pray you are too!
From this morning’s text (Acts 1:1-11). the verse that jolted me was verse 8: “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Pastor Daniel explained that this “power” is the power to be God’s witness! As I walk this walk and God takes me from my Jerusalem to Samaria and even the ends of the earth, I am seeing more clearly that indeed power is needed to share God’s love! Lately, the “power” I have needed is faith when I can’t see the end, confidence when I feel inadequate, peace when I am afraid and hope when all seems lost. What does power mean for you as you testify to God’s work in your life?
Whatever “power” means for us, we then have to take it into verses 9-11 and what Pastor Daniel said about NOT just looking to heaven for the Jesus who was here. We have to look at the Holy Spirit we have now! It’s not just enough to have the power; we have to USE the power! When we can’t see the end, we have to ask the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) to help our unbelief (Mark 9:24). When all seems lost, we have to hope in God (Psalm 33:22, Psalm 38:15, Psalm 39:7, Psalm 42:5, Acts 24:14-16). When fear seems to be about to swallow us, we must cling to the peace beyond understanding that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). What power of God in your life can you testify to? Have you taken a step of faith that God gave you power outside yourself to take? Have you overcome a fear or insecurity to share the love of God? What was it? How did God show his “power” in that situation? Let’s give testimony to the power of God in our lives… we’ll start right here in Jerusalem!
Walking with you,
HollyAnn Petree
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I also find Acts 1:8 to be a very interesting verse. I remember when the Holy Spirit was with me and was drawing me to the saving knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and again when the Holy Spirit was in me as I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior as He took up residence in my heart. Now I see that there is a different relationship that I have with the Holy Spirit as he comes upon me to be a witness.
Also, although we do not need to wait to receive the Holy Spirit, as the disciples had to before the day of Pentecost, the fact that Jesus had them wait, and the fact that as they waited, they were of one accord, praying and seeking the Lord, indicates to me that as modern day disciples, we, too, would find it empowering to wait upon the Lord, in order to truly be led by the Spirit.
What does power mean for me as I testify to God’s work in my life? I suppose, the power I need to be a witness means that daily, as I encounter challenging situations, I use the power given to me by the Holy Spirit, to submit my will to His, and simply allow Him and His nature, which resides in me, to become manifest.
Every night when I get the opportunity to read through the Bible I am amazed at the figure prints that the Holy Spirit has put on the Bible. The book of Acts is the Book of the Acts of the Holy Spirit and the Bible was designed specifically by the Holy Spirit for you and me. Having the opportunity as a church to read through the book of Acts and helping people understand that the Holy Spirit has a designed purpose in our lives. As we read and understand the power that is available to us by being partakers in the Holy Spirit I think people will be amazed with what the Spirit has in store for them.
I don’t want to be one of the people that just look at the book of Acts and stare at the miracle that the Holy Spirit was capable of. I want to get out my comfort zone and see what is in store for me. I believe that all the miracles of the New Testament are available for us today. I have heard people say that the thing that happened in Acts ceased after God established the early Church, but I can testify to you that I have had a pasture place his hands on me, and I have felt the power of the Holy Spirit. I allowed the Holy Spirit to move forward in my life and I was blessed. I have also tried to move forward in my walk with God without the help of the Holy Spirit, and I learned the hard way how hard it is to be a Christian without power, in a not so Christian society. I thank God for the Holy Spirit and the miracles that he has done in my life.
I pray that everyone that reads the book of Acts will understand that it was written for them. Luke 1 and 2 (Gospel and Acts) was written by Luke after he had the Holy Spirit. Just as all of the disciples were lead by the Holy Spirit in their sermons and continued persecution while establishing the early Church, so were all of the New Testament letters written by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is living word of God, and is one of the most relevant things in leading us in our spiritual walk with God.
I am excited to see all the things the Holy Spirit will reveal to me during this study of Acts.
God Bless,
Chris Johnson
WOW! How exciting to walk through the book of Acts as a church family!! Although I accepted Christ as my Savior at a very young age, He continues to give me more and more of himself as I open my life to Him. For most of my youth I KNEW there was more to this spirtiual relationship than simply walking the isle and being baptisted. The Holy Spirt is so faithful to give me more of this relationship as I am ready to receive it. Oh how I desire to see His power in my life! His power, flowing through my life, touching those around me, is my heart’s cry.
Being part of a church family is one VERY good example of how I see the power of the Holy Spirit! My faith has certainly increased as I have seen the Lord move in the lives of my spiritual family as well as my own. Walking through unthinkable, heartbreaking trials and amazing victories with those I love has ushered me into an even deeper understanding of who the Holy Spirit is. I am truly thankful for the Body of Christ and love seeing the expressions of His grace and power right here in the Body of Mid-Cities.
Come Holy Spirit! Flow through Your Body, empowering each of us for Your glory. More of YOU Father, and less of me!
Walking this road together….
great comment and insight!!!
Chris – me neither! I don’t want to just read it and see what he did, but man, I want what they have in my life, mircales and all!
Liz – I couldn’t agree with you more about the Body of Christ. In the ministry that John and I work in, we have seen God bring His children from all over the world in order to work for a common cause. It takes the BODY to be the most powerful example for the world….otherwise, we are just a bunch of big toes kicking people around!
Seriously, though, I am amazed time and again when God brings someone to us that is looking to serve in just the capacity where we have a need!
I am so thankful that God directed us to Mid-Cities and can’t wait to see what fires this study of Acts lights up!
Holy Spirit, help us to not be like the Israelites and be taken by complete surprise when we see the power of God at work. Turn our faces toward you and establish our faith in your work.
I thank God that He called me out of a religion of legalism and into this wonderful Family at Mid-Cities! I am so glad that we can study, learn and grow together in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
The first thing that jumped out at me in this passage was in verse 2 where Jesus was “giving instructions through the Holy Spirit”. Jesus never just TELLS us the way, He SHOWS us the way. He tells the apostles in verses 4, 5 & 8, to “wait for the gift my Father promised” and you would be “baptized with the Holy Spirit” and through power of the Holy Spirit, “you will be my witnesses”. What does this power mean to me? It means that everything I am is only by God’s Grace, because of Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave His life to save mine, what else can I do but follow Him and live everyday allowing Him to use me any way He wants to?! I can do nothing without Him! Zechariah 4:6 says, “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty”. Praise God for His unconditional grace, love, mercy & guidance that He continually gives me!
Always In Christ,
Debbie Eason
Acts 1:14 “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”
I was meditating on the part that they all with one mind. this is what I find so amazing in Acts! That there wasn’t division, but unity and when unity came the Holy Spirit came and changed lives.
My prayer for Mid-Cities is that we too could have one mind as we pray and long for God! He is so amazing!
Love u all!