Wait for the Gift My Father Promised
Questions to Consider as You Read the Verses Below
- Who / what is the Holy Spirit?
- When and how do we receive the Holy Spirit?
- What does the Holy Spirit do?
- What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
- How can I know that I am filled with the Holy Spirit?
- How can others know you have the Holy Spirit?
- What physical attributes does the Holy Spirit express?
- How does the Holy Spirit assist you?
“Wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” – Acts 1:4
“John baptized with water. In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 1:5
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” – Acts 1:8
“You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things. The Holy Spirit will remind you of everything I have said to you.” – John 14:26
The Holy Spirit Will Come Upon You
When the Spirit of God and Christ comes to you, it is a sacred and holy act. The imagery is striking. A weight pressed upon us, a presence that overshadows. The nearest comparison we have in our physical flesh is when a husband and wife become one on their wedding night. Consider the verbs used to describe the act of receiving the Holy Spirit, of becoming one with God and Christ. Violent sounds, shaking, tongues aflame, being filled, speaking, seeing, hearing, hands roaming, receiving into ourselves this sacred gift from God.
“Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift is for all whom the Lord will call.” – Acts 2:38-39
God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey him. Our Prince and Savior gives repentance and forgiveness of sins. – Acts 5:31-32
In the same way that our wedding vows are a promise of fidelity, we agree to turn from all others and love only the one who gave himself for us. Water baptism is our spiritual wedding ceremony, a public profession that we are united with Christ until death in this body.
“We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” – Acts 4:20
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord. – Acts 4:?
They all spoke the word of God boldly. – Acts 4:31
When in love, we cannot help but speak about our spouse, to testify to what she or he does and is. This is as it should be, both at the beginning and throughout the life of our marriage. Should not our love for God be even greater?
Because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, Peter and John placed their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. – Acts 8:15-17
Can you recall your spiritual wedding ceremony, your baptism and public announcement of fidelity to God and Christ? Baptism does not save us, but it is our confession that we will, from that moment on, be loyal to God and Christ and honor this holy union.
Have you experienced the sacred intimacy that comes when you are joined in holy union with God and Christ? If not, find three or four disciples of Christ who will witness your wedding. Be baptized with water. Afterwards, ask your witnesses to lay hands upon you and baptize you with His Spirit. On that day you will experience the gift promised by God. You will become one with your Lord and Savior. Your bridegroom is waiting.
“I, Christ, am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” John 14:20
The Holy Spirit Will Speak to You
The Spirit told Phillip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” – Acts 8:29
“The Holy Spirit says. . .” – Acts 21:11
“The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said. . . “ Acts 28:25
“As the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.’” – Hebrews 3:7-11
“The Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.” – Ezekiel 2:2
“When they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.“ – Matthew 10:19-20
“The Spirit of truth will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” – John 16:13
The Holy Spirit Will ACT UPON You
The Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Phillip away. – Acts 8:39 Phillip next appeared in Azotus, 19 miles away. – Acts 8:40
“Having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in. . . “ – Acts 16:6
“The Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. . .” – Acts 16:7 “Therefore we concluded that God had called us to preach the gospel to. . . “ – Acts 16:10
“Compelled by the Spirit, I am going. . . not knowing what will happen to me.” – Acts 20:23
“The Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” – Acts 20:28
The Holy Spirit Will WARN You
“The Holy Spirit warned me. . .“ – Acts 20:23
The Holy Spirit Will INSTRUCT You
“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements.” – Acts 15:28-29, Acts 21:25
- Do not eat food sacrificed to idols.
- Do not eat meat from strangled animals.
- Do not drink blood.
- Abstain from sexual immorality.
Some Observations as You Consider This Gift God Gives
- The Holy Spirit is a gift from God.
- God gives the Holy Spirit to those who love Christ, keep His commands, and repent.
- The Holy Spirit is a Helper, and Advocate, and with us forever. The Holy Spirit councils, teaches, and reminds us what Christ and God said. The Holy Spirit speaks, instructs, warns, moves, retrains, and prompts us.
- The Holy Spirit is Truth.
- The Holy Spirit lives in you and with you.
- The world does not know the Holy Spirit nor can it accept the Holy Spirit. This gift is only for those who accept Christ as their savior and exchange their life for his.
- We receive the Holy Spirit through baptism. Christ commanded, “Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19
- Our union with the Holy Spirit often comes with:
- sounds
- shaking
- warmth
- speaking in words or utterances we cannot understand
- speaking in different languages
- Through the Holy Spirit God, Christ, and you become one.
- Through the Holy Spirit we have power.
- Through the Holy Spirit we are witnesses to Christ. We testify about Christ. We speak the word of God boldly.
- For most, the coming of the Holy Spirit is the only advent we will experience. The coming of the Holy Spirit is Christ coming to us to be with us and dwell in us forever. We celebrate the birth of Christ and look forward to his coming in glory, but he seeks to be with us now. Will you welcome him in?